Towbar/electrics for Peugeot 308 SW

David

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Dec 16, 2011, 1:45:26 AM12/16/11

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Just changed cars and in next 2 months will have to fit a towbar etc.
Seems traditional type on to which my special Al-ko ball would fit are
available, also fixed swan neck and detachable swan neck. Any one of you
made the choice and what was your outcome.

My caravan has the traditional normal and supplementary plugs. Now I am
aware the single 13 pin EU system is around but wondering how to go forward
in my case, IE make car suit caravan or go 13 pin type on car and make
caravan suit car.

In the past on cars I have fitted my own tow bar and used the scotch
connectors to get the various wires connected, but on last car had a
professional as it was Winter like now do it and he connected in the same
manor. Now I am aware their are prewired units which are supposed to just
plug in, so I guess Peugeot have put a socket somewhere.
What is your experience of these kits please? Looking on the Net people
seem to go away from the kits due to price, also on the 13 pin ones with
wrong connections.

If summer would DIY but as before I got a fitter to do it as cold working
outside so might again not do DIY.

PS.
Did the tow bar require any cutting of the cars rear skirt?

Thanks
David

Roger Mills

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Dec 16, 2011, 9:07:57 AM12/16/11

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I know nothing about towbars for Peugeots - so can't comment on that.

With regards to the electrics, it may depend on what else you may want
to tow with the car. If you buy a new caravan at some future time, it
will probably have a 13 pin plug. If you've got another trailer (e.g.
for taking rubbish to the tip, as I have) that will probably have a
standard 7 pin plug - so you need to decide what will be most
useful/future proof in your case. When I bought a new car about 4 years
ago, I had it wired with two 7-pin plugs to suit my existing equipment,
but YMMV.

You *do* have to be very careful about tapping into the car wiring these
days, because you can cock up bulb failure detection systems or
multiplexed systems by simply running the caravan lights in parallel
with the car's rear lights. Using a plug-in kit provided by the car
manufacturer will avoid any of these problems - but is likely to be very
expensive.

The alternative is to use a couple of suitable relays from the likes of
PCT http://www.pct.eu.com/automotive/electrics_english_v2_frame.htm

These just require a single heavy duty fused supply, taken from the
battery, and the connections to the car's lighting cables only draw a
very small current which doesn't disrupt bulb failure systems, etc.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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Autowbars (BFD)

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Dec 19, 2011, 7:36:08 AM12/19/11

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Using a bypass relay just fine.
The cars on board systems can not "see" the relay.
Dedicated kits are expensive and in most cases NOT needed.
You can get 13pin socket fitted to the car, then buy
an adapter for abot £10 that can convert it when required
to 7pin 12n socket easily.
Stuart

--
Autowbars (BFD)
www.autowbars.co.uk
01274 416116
Trailer sales and hire.
Towbars supplied and fitted.
"Roger Mills" <watt....@gmail.com> wrote in message
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David

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Dec 19, 2011, 7:42:01 AM12/19/11

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"Autowbars (BFD)" <tow...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:pbGHq.129345$CC2.1...@newsfe20.ams2...

> Using a bypass relay just fine.
> The cars on board systems can not "see" the relay.
> Dedicated kits are expensive and in most cases NOT needed.
> You can get 13pin socket fitted to the car, then buy
> an adapter for abot £10 that can convert it when required
> to 7pin 12n socket easily.
> Stuart
>
> --
> Autowbars (BFD)
> www.autowbars.co.uk
> 01274 416116
> Trailer sales and hire.
> Towbars supplied and fitted.

Thanks Stuart, not a million miles from will call you.
Regards
David

hugh

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Dec 19, 2011, 2:07:15 PM12/19/11

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In message <pbGHq.129345$CC2.1...@newsfe20.ams2>, "Autowbars (BFD)"
<tow...@blueyonder.co.uk> writes

>Using a bypass relay just fine.
>The cars on board systems can not "see" the relay.
>Dedicated kits are expensive and in most cases NOT needed.
>You can get 13pin socket fitted to the car, then buy
>an adapter for abot £10 that can convert it when required
>to 7pin 12n socket easily.
>Stuart

I tried that but there can be quite a voltage drop on the adapters and I
had trouble with my fridge/freezer on 12v.
--
hugh

harry

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Dec 20, 2011, 2:05:46 PM12/20/11

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We have recently changed our car to a VW Golf and have had dedicated
electrics fitted with a 13p socket. We use a 13p to 2x7 adaptor to
connect to the caravan.

I can honestly say that the 'fridge is working far better than it ever
did with the 7p sockets and by-pass relay as used on previous cars.

harry

Autowbars (BFD)

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Dec 21, 2011, 8:52:45 AM12/21/11

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Hugh, the converter I mention is 7 pin 12N only.
It wont work the fridge.
You would need the 12N & S type.

--
Autowbars (BFD)
www.autowbars.co.uk
01274 416116
Trailer sales and hire.
Towbars supplied and fitted.

"hugh" <hugh@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
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