Now that you have decided that you need a tow bar there are a few things to consider before you go ahead. The first is what type of tow bar will suit your needs and intended use.
Flangeball
The most commonly used type of tow bar in this country is the Flange ball where the tow ball is bolted to the tow bar with two 24mm bolts.
This is the most versatile design of tow bar because it can be used with tow ball mounted accessories.
Cycle carriers, stabilizer plates, bumper and protection plates can all be easily fixed securely behind the tow ball.
The main downside is that this type of tow bar is more likely to trigger
your reverse parking aids if you have them fitted to your vehicle.
Swan-Neck
Some people prefer a Swan-Neck tow bar where the tow ball is part of the neck of the tow bar.
This type of bar can look tidier on the vehicle but is much less versatile.
Due to the neck being narrower it is less likely to trigger reverse parking aids. The swan neck tow bar can also be used with an Alko stabiliser without the need for modification.
Detachable
When fitted to the vehicle a Detachable tow bar looks very similar to a Swan-Neck bar.
However the beauty of this type of bar is that the neck simply unclips when you don't need to use it, leaving little or nothing of the tow bar to see.
3 Main Types of Electrics
Now that you have chosen the type of bar you are going to use you now need to consider which of the 3 main types of electrics fit your intended use.
Also known as 12(N), are fitted as standard.
They provide power from the tow bar to the lights on a trailer or caravan.
If you are only going to be towing a trailer this is all you need.
Single Electrics
Double Electrics
12(S), are fitted in addition to single electrics if you are going to use your tow bar for towing a caravan.
They provide power to operate the caravan interior lights, run the fridge and charge the battery while you are towing.
Are standard in most other countries, and will slowly replace the 2 separate socket currently used in this country. All caravans manufactured in the UK from 2008 will be fitted with an ISO 13 pin connector as standard.
This system uses one socket with 13 pins inside, instead of the traditional two separate 7 pin sockets. This is used if your caravan is imported and is fitted with a 13 pin plug.
It must also be used on some vehicles especially with detachable tow bars when there isn't enough room to mount two separate plugs.
13 Pin Electrics
Now that you have your tow bar type and electrics chosen there are a few more things that you should consider before going ahead.
A bypass relay is fitted to protect your vehicles electrics. It can be fitted to any vehicle, but is only essential where the vehicle has multiplex wiring or bulb failure warning systems.
The relay works by taking power for your caravan or trailer lights direct from your vehicles 12 volt supply, instead of from the often fragile lighting loom.
If your vehicle needs one of these relays we fit one included in the price we quote you.
If you’re phoning around for prices make sure it's not going to be a 'hidden extra'.
A Bypass Relay
Split Charge Relay
We fit Combination or Split Charge relays as standard with our 12(S) wiring system.
These relays ensure that your caravan will operate correctly without placing any undue load on to your vehicle.
The relay will only switch power to your caravan once your vehicles battery has enough power to run both the systems in your car and the caravan.
This means that your car battery won't be drained by your caravan.
If your vehicle has to have a 13 pin socket fitted but your caravan has two 7 pin sockets conversion leads are available to revert back to 7 pin plugs.
Conversion Leads
13 Pin Wiring Colours
12 (N) Wiring colours
Pin No - Wire Colors – Use
Pin 1 - Yellow - LH Indicator
Pin 2 - Blue - Fog Light
Pin 3 - White - Earth
Pin 4 - Green - RH Indicator
Pin 5 - Brown - RH Sidelight
Pin 6 - Red - Brake Light
Pin 7 - Black - LH Sidelight
12 (S) Wiring Colours
Pin No - Wire Colors - Use
Pin 1 - Yellow - Reverse Light
Pin 2 - Blue - Switched Live
Pin 3 - White - Earth
Pin 4 - Green - Permanent Live
Pin 5 - Brown - Not Used
Pin 6 - Red - Switched Live
Pin 7 - Black - Earth
Pin No - Wire Colors - Use
Pin 1 - Yellow - LH Indicator
Pin 2 - Blue - Fog Light
Pin 3 - White - Earth
Pin 4 - Green - RH Indicator
Pin 5 - Brown - RH Sidelight
Pin 6 - Red - Brake Light
Pin 7 - Black - LH Sidelight
Pin 8 - Pink - Reverse Light
Pin 9 - Orange - +12 Volt
Pin 10 - Grey - Switched Live
Pin 11 - White/Black - Earth
Pin 12 - Not Used
Pin 13 - White/Red - Earth
