Getting a tow bar fitted and decided to go the extra for the additional wiring - that was the original debate, is it worth it, will we use it much really?
Anyway, having decided on that bit, the next dilemma is whether we put 13pin socket on the tow bar or 2 x 7pin.
We've just bought a FC which has the 12n & 12s plugs on it.
I've pretty much decided to put the 12n & 12s sockets on the car so I'd need no adapter or no need to re-wire the two 7pin plugs on the FC into a 13pin with the risk of water ingress and all that brings with it. Also means it's easier to tow the fc with other vehicles and other trailers with the car. So I think 2 x 7pin makes most sense to me. Also I imagine we'll keep this FC for a good many years with a bit of luck.
Question is am I missing anything?
I know 13pin is more future proof but also I think they are more secure and need less fiddling with to keep them working. I can see these advantages but I think the 7 pin makes more sense for us at the minute.
13 pin is same cost as 2 x 7pin, so cost isn't a factor. I'm sure the tow bar fitter would do a good job of re wiring the 2 plugs into 1 on the FC if I asked them, for small money.
Any other reason we should go 13pin, or stick with 12s?
Thanks.
Also if you ever want to pull a garden rubbish type trailer your are ready without buying an adapter, you can always change it later if you change your camper.
We have a 13 pin on the car for our caravan, also having a trailer I had to buy an adaptor. We used the trailer on a number of occasions and then started to get faults with the lights so changed the plug to a 13 pin. Bought a new trailer last month and from collection we had faults with the lights Via the adaptor, again changed to a 13 pin plug, no more faults. The more connections the more chance of faults.
Quote: Originally posted by moppetsdad on 03/5/2017
Also if you ever want to pull a garden rubbish type trailer your are ready without buying an adapter, you can always change it later if you change your camper.
I did ask would they change the 2 x 7 pin sockets to one 13 pin in a few years if need be, they said no problem.
Only thing I was thinking about that is I'd have the 2 cables wired into one socket on the car side rather than biting the bullet now and wiring the 2 cables on the FC into one plug. However I don't plan on changing the FC any time soon.
Quote: Originally posted by ENOCH on 03/5/2017
We have a 13 pin on the car for our caravan, also having a trailer I had to buy an adaptor. We used the trailer on a number of occasions and then started to get faults with the lights so changed the plug to a 13 pin. Bought a new trailer last month and from collection we had faults with the lights Via the adaptor, again changed to a 13 pin plug, no more faults. The more connections the more chance of faults.
Agreed, my main aim is to minimise or eliminate adapters while minimising chances of water ingress and flexibility of different trailers and towing vehicles.
All things considered I think the 12s would work best for the foreseeable future in this case.
I'm unfortunately stuck with a frequently-changing shiny new management car, which are 13-pin only these days.
I also have a 2006 Conway Cruiser (Pennine Pullman rebadged) which was wired 2x7-pin — so I rewired it properly to 13-pin.
I was forced to replace the twin cables with a length of proper single cable — I'm actually really pleased I had to, as it's much neater and lighter to move about. If you're halfway-competent at wiring, this is pretty easy so long as the "far end" of the 12N/S cables are easy to get at to replace.
I used a Maypole 13-pin plug which was easy to connect with patience, and waterproofed it up with this tape. Total cost under £40, including a fair length of quite pricey 13-core cable.
Much better than fiddling around with adaptors. If you think you'll need to connect a 7-pin thing, have an adaptor to hand. I only have a bike carrier in addition to the FC, and I rewired that to 13-pin too.
Twin 7 Pin is so last century, just go for Single 13 pin.
Easy job to convert the FC from Twin 7 Pin to Single 13 Pin job done.
Single 13 Pin plugs can be bought, that will cope with the two cables from an old Twin 7 Pin Plug set up, if you can't be bothered to use a Single cable.
7 pin is more simple & easy to use. Have you ever had one come adrift while driving? No? Thought not. 13pin is OK until it falls apart then it is rubbish trying to get the 2 bits back together so you can get home. Progress I suppose?
Nothing wrong with 13 pin, it's a great system, no problems.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
It's ok if you need one if you have a modern caravan with 13pin plug but there is nothing so wrong with 7pin 12n/12s that makes it worthwhile changing over for the sake of it. As pointed out. 13 pin plug can wear & the plug can come apart.
13 pin plugs have evolved since they first came out, no problems now.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 11/5/2017
It's ok if you need one if you have a modern caravan with 13pin plug but there is nothing so wrong with 7pin 12n/12s that makes it worthwhile changing over for the sake of it. As pointed out. 13 pin plug can wear & the plug can come apart.
I've been using the 13 pin plugs and sockets for 6 years and have never had a problem with them.
Originally I was thinking 13pin if that's the way things are going.
Now I've come full circle because there's two sevens on the fc already and any other trailers we might use would be seven.
Also I think we are unlikely to change the fc any time soon.
Two sevens seems the most logical jim. For our situation that is.
Fitting next week.
Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts.
I don't think there's a right and a wrong decision here, so go with what is easiest for now - you can always change it later.
I will say that the 7N setups I have used have always needed wiggling or the pins opening up now and again to get the lights working. 13 pin has been big improvement for me.
Perhaps the one that fell to pieces (mentioned by Opensauce) didn't have a long enough cable. 7N/S will just pull the plug out if the cable gets a yank, but the 13 pin one turns to lock in, so something will break if there isn't enough slack.
I have adaptors for both ways round - I bought a 13pin car to 7N trailer for my garden trailer. Then when I bought a new car in 2011, and asked for 13pin on the towbar, they fitted 7N+7S! They had to give me the other adapator to tide me over until they sorted it, so now I always have both handy:)
I have just swap my 12s/12n set up for a Euro 13 pin. reason being is that my van has the 13 pin plug so I was using an adapter between the two. That was such a pain due to all the extra cable length that the adapter caused. just got fed up with having find ways to keep this great big adapter plug and cable from dragging on the ground. Took me 2 hours to convert to a 13 pin socket. Cable routing now very much neater, easier and also safer. I use a plug in adapter to convert back to 7n for my bike rack. Simples.
regards
F
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Topic: 13pin or 12n & 12s on tow bar?
