10 June 2024
Understanding Towing Electrics
When it comes to towing, ensuring your vehicle's electrical systems are properly set up is crucial. Towing electrics are essential for powering the lights and indicators on your trailer or caravan, ensuring safety and compliance with legal requirements. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.
Types of Towing Electric Kits
Single 7-Pin Electrics
- Typically used for trailers, bike carriers, and small caravans.
- Powers basic lights: brake, indicator, and rear lights.
Twin 7-Pin Electrics
- Commonly used for larger caravans.
- Includes an additional socket for supplementary power, like interior lighting and battery charging.
13-Pin Electrics:
- Combines the functions of both single and twin 7-pin systems into one connector.
- Ideal for modern caravans and trailers with advanced electrical needs.
Choosing the Right Kit
Selecting the right towing electric kit depends on the type of trailer or caravan you plan to tow and your vehicle’s compatibility. Here are some things you may want to consider:
Vehicle Specific Kits: Tailored to your car’s make and model, ensuring seamless integration with existing electrical systems.
Universal Kits: Versatile and can be adapted to most vehicles but may require additional wiring work.
Installation and Safety
Professional fitting is recommended to ensure safety and functionality. Proper installation prevents potential issues such as electrical faults and non-compliance with legal standards.
Benefits of Professional Installation
- Expertise: Professional fitters have the knowledge and experience to install the electrical wiring system correctly.
- Warranty: All Towbar Express installations come with a warranty, providing peace of mind.
- Safety Checks: Our fitters will ensure all connections are secure and functioning correctly.
- Legal Requirements: It’s essential to comply with legal requirements for towing electrics. This includes ensuring all lights and indicators on your trailer or caravan are working correctly.
What is Coding, and Does My Car Need It?
With any vehicle-specific wiring loom, there is a chance your vehicle will need coding. Coding updates your vehicle's system to recognise the towing electrics. Most new vehicles have towing functions, and without coding, these functions, such as deactivating parking sensors, trailer stability control, and disabling certain safety features like lane assist, may not work properly.
Although this may sound daunting, Towbar Express has invested heavily in up-to-date coding equipment. All of our engineers are trained to use it, ensuring a seamless installation process without needing to visit a manufacturer. However, on rare occasions, coding may need to be completed at a dealership.
Investing in the right towing electrics and opting for professional installation will save time, ensure safety, and provide reliability. Whether you're towing a small trailer or a large caravan, having the correct electrics is essential for a smooth and legal towing experience.
