Towbar Electrics In Nottingham, Mansfield, Derby

Dedicated electrics communicate to your vehicle’s onboard computer (ECU) when towing. Universal electrics will do the opposite and bypass the ECU so the towing electrics circuit works independently.

Two common features gained with dedicated electrics are:

1) Reversing sensors turn off when you reverse with trailer/caravan attached

2) Dash warnings for bulb failures will appear when one of your trailer or caravan bulbs fails

Dedicated electrics are becoming more popular. Many towbar centres will only fit dedicated wiring kits, but at Ken’s, we want customers to make a well-informed decision by giving them the facts rather than just concentrating on the upsell. Dedicated electrics are often associated with the term ‘plug-in’. But it’s never quite plug and play, and there will still be some hard wiring to do.

The special towing features gained by dedicated wiring are developing. Another example is suspension changes to allow for a smoother ride (only useful with trailers/caravans). In these cases, the dedicated wiring is definitely worth considering. With dedicated electrics, we sometimes need to use programming software to activate the vehicle’s towing features. On rare occasions, if something else upsets the vehicle’s ECU, the towing electrics need to be reprogrammed.

Over the last decade, the 13-pin plug has become popular and most modern caravans and bike racks will use a 13-pin (black) plug. 13-pin plugs can be wired for lights only (8-pins will show) or wired for lights and in-caravan power (all pins used). Providing power to the caravan while towing is useful for charging leisure batteries, fridges and electronic Alko hitches.

The black 7-pin electric plug (also known as 12N) operates lights on the back of your trailer, caravan or bike rack. This plug remains popular on trailers, older caravans and bike carriers. Older caravans have an optional 7-pin plug, which is grey in colour, (known as 12S or twin electrics) to supply power to the caravan.

Modern bike racks and trailers sometimes use a 13-pin style plug, but because no caravan power is needed there will only be 8-pins showing in the plug. If you need an 8-pin plug and don’t require caravan features, then you need to ask for 13-pin electrics wired for lights only.

It’s important to match your car’s towing electrics to the plug you frequently use. For example, if you have a trailer or caravan with 7-pin plug and you don’t plan to change from this, then it’s convenient to have the 7-pin fitted. If you plan to upgrade your old 7-pin caravan to a newer 13-pin, then we would advise to fit the 13-pin electrics and use an adapter in the meantime.

We sell towing electric adapters and converters which convert 7-pin to 13-pin and vice versa. In many bike rack kits, there is usually an adapter included. If you want a more permanent solution, Ken’s Autos can wire up a conversion for your 7-pin to 13-pin.

All towbars fitted by Ken’s Auto Spares will be compatible with the Alko caravan hitches. Swan neck and detachable towbars are all compatible, but the fixed flange towbar will also come with an extended Alko compatible towball.

The terms single and twin refer to times when caravans all used two plugs, one for lighting and one for caravan power. It’s not so relevant nowadays with 13-pin plugs around, but we take single electrics as meaning only lights, and twin electrics meaning lighting and caravan power.

7-pin electrics come with every towbar we fit, and 13-pin electrics are £50 extra with a towbar. A 7-pin to 13-pin conversion starts from £180, and dedicated electrics are £180 extra, all including VAT. For a repair or fault finding, call or WhatsApp us with your car and what’s wrong, and we’ll give you a price.

Yes. Insurers treat a towbar as a modification, so let yours know once it’s fitted.