The simple answer is that you can use pretty much any tow bar you want, within reason.
The Pullman is built on a standard Al-Ko chassis, which fits onto a standard 50mm tow ball. Since the late 70's all tow bars have been the same size, and work in exactly the same way.
There is one exception to this, which is when an Al-Ko stabiliser is fitted, which I will explain below.
The only time it is important to get the right one is if you have an Al-Ko stabiliser fitted. These will, usually, require a swan neck type of tow bar, to allow extra space for the stabiliser, itself. Otherwise, it's pretty much personal preference.
The 2004 Pullman has the older style Dual 7 Pin (twin) wiring. Again, you can, effectively, use any of the three wiring options quoted.
Option 1 (7 pin, single standard).
You will just plug one lead (usually black) from your camper into the car. This will then power the rear lights (side lights, brake lights and indicators). It is all you need to be legal.
Option 2 (Dual 7 pin)
Here, you plug both of the leads from the Pennine into the two sockets of the car. This gives you everything in Option 1, plus it will power the fridge, charge the leisure battery, and the reversing lights on the back of the Pullman.
Option 3 (13 pin)
This is the same as Option 2, but all the wiring is contained in one socket. On the down side, this means you will need an adaptor to connect it to your Pullman, but, on the upside, it will future proof it for more modern units, which may have the 13 pin electrics.
Unless you are planning on keeping your car for a very long time, I would go Option 2. My car came with option 1, and that's fine for me, but, as long as the price differential isn't huge, then Option 2 will give you everything you need.
------------- The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
If it helps, we had towbar fitted in May with the twin electrics. Whilst chatting to the fitter I asked him out of interest, the differences (cost, fitting etc) between having single electrics now and retro fitting the second plug, and having the two done in the first place, as we were having done.
He told me that it's only £30 more to have both fitted now, but that'd more than double, to upgrade at a later date. At the time we didn't need the second socket, as we had an Aztec, with no fridge or battery to run, but we're looking forward to the future, as we had planned upgrading the Aztec this year, which we have now done
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
Hi,
we have just had a 13 pin fitted and it's brilliant. when we hook up all the parking sensors turn off the fog light get disengaged from the car automatically and the car know there is a trailer on there back so all the traction control is change. also your future proofed.
We have option 2 .... means when going from site to site you can keep the fridge going so that food and drink doesn't warm up ... though you could use a coolbox to do that, but boring to decant, and uses extra space.
The fridge connection is a boon, especially in hot weather ... so good to be able to have a cold beer half way through the 'fit up'! And the food stays cool ... warm soggy cheese isn't very appetising!
thanks for all replies that's really helped. I'll go for Option 2 (Dual 7 pin) then and so charge the leisure battery and power the fridge. Probably would change car before changing the folding camper so don't think option 3 is the best option for me know if I'd need an adapter now. Many thanks all.
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Topic: Pennine Pullman 535 towbar?
