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How does a 13 pin trailer plug work?
A 13 pin plug is used when towing objects, such as your caravan or an advanced trailer, boat trailer or horsebox. This plugged gives you all the light functions including reverse, it can also supply the permanent and fridge feeds. This plugs into the 13 pin socket mounted on the tow bar.
Can you change a 7 pin towbar to a 13 pin?
A 7 pin to 13 pin adapter is most commonly used when you have a towbar fitted with 7 pin electrics for a trailer, but you want to attach a cycle carrier which has a 13 pin plug. It can also be used to plug in a caravan which has a 13 pin plug.
How do you test a 13 pin trailer with a multimeter?
So with the engine off, set your multimeter to read “Resistance” or “Ohms”. To check it is working, touch the two test leads of the multi-meter together, you should get a reading of 00.00 Ohms.
What is the difference between 12N and 12S?
What are 12N and 12S? 12N electrics provide the ‘normal’ legal lighting requirements, via a single 7 pin electrics plug. These include the brake, indicator and fog lights. 12S electrics provide the ‘supplementary’, or advanced, electricals through an additional 7 pin twin electrics plug.
What’s the difference between 7 pin and 13 pin towbar?
The difference between a 7-pin and 13-pin plug is that a 13-pin plug has more functions. A 7-pin plug only supplies in basic lighting, such as blinkers and brake lights. Perfect for bike carriers. The additional pins in the 13-pin plug are used for the reversing lights and the rear mist light, among other things.
Why do I need a bypass relay for towbar?
What is a towbar wiring bypass relay? A towbar wiring bypass relay can be fitted between the towbar wiring and vehicle wiring to prevent too much power from being taken directly from the vehicle battery.
How do you test a 13 pin towbar electric with a multimeter?
Usual functionality testing Connect the ground of the voltmeter to pin 3. Signal a turn or press the brakes or turn on your lights and connect the red probe of the voltmeter to the equivalent pin of the tow bar socket. The voltmeter should read around 12 volts, maybe more, depending on your car battery.
What is a 13 pin tow electrics?
13 pin electrics combines both the basic and advanced electrical features needed for towing within one plug. This makes a 13 pin plug tidier and easier to use as all of the functions are encased within a single plug.
Do I need a 7 pin or 13 pin towbar?
Do I need 7 pin or 13 pin for trailer?
If your car has a 13 pin electrics plug but your caravan or trailer has a 7 pin electrics plug, then you will need a 13 pin to 7 pin adapter. This would be suitable for towing a bike rack or standard trailer or you would need a 13 pin to twin socket adapter to tow an older caravan with twin electrics.
Why do you need twin electrics on a tow bar?
Twin electrics (the second socket is a 12S socket) provides you with two 7 pin sockets at the rear of your vehicle. This allows you to tow any trailer or caravan as your entire road legal lighting (including reversing lights) are provided.
Are tow bar electrics tested on MOT?
MOT tests include towbars if you have one attached to your car, as these are considered to be essential items to ensure your vehicle is road safe.
What are the different types of towbar electrics?
There are 3 types of towbar electrics plugs, including single 7 pin electrics, single 13 pin electrics and twin electrics. Single electrics use one plug to connect your vehicle and trailer electrics, whereas twin electrics require two 7 pin plugs, which is usually necessary for towing older caravans or trailers.
What is a towbar wiring kit?
A towbar wiring kit connects the electrics and lights on your car to the lighting board on your trailer, caravan or bike rack. This means that when you indicate or brake, these lights will be illuminated on your trailer or caravan as well, which is a legal requirement when towing.
What is a 13 pin plug on a car?
A 13 pin electrical plug combines both the 12N and 12S electrics in one plug and is more common on newer cars, trailers or caravans. There are two types of towbar sockets. The one you need may depend on your vehicle, trailer, caravan or bike rack, as each will have different electrical requirements.
What size plug do I need to tow a caravan?
If your car has a 13 pin electrics plug but your caravan or trailer has a 7 pin electrics plug, then you will need a 13 pin to 7 pin adapter. This would be suitable for towing a bike rack or standard trailer or you would need a 13 pin to twin socket adapter to tow an older caravan with twin electrics.