When we got our new Renault vans a few years back, we ordered factory-fitted towbars, and they were fitted with DIN 13-Pin sockets.
We got adaptors from Halfrauds to convert to 7-pin and have used them like that since 2003 and 2007 respectively, both are still with us.
Once you've got the knack of fitting the plug, push it in and rotate it, it becomes second nature. In our case we don't leave the adaptor in the socket but keep it in the door pocket.
The only other issue we had was that there was no audible warning of the trailer indicator function as required by C&U, and we had to badger Renault to fit buzzers/bleepers to comply.
Hi interdiesel,thanks for your post.You mention that you are using an adapter that converts 13 pin to a seven,our new outfit has 13 pin on the towbar and the van socket likewise.Do you put this adapter between both sockets/,sorry if it sounds a dumb question.We are new to towing and caravanning,having only bought outfit a month ago.
Our trailers are all 7-pin so we need the connector adapter.
I just mentioned it as the adapter has the same push and twist function as the plug you would have on your 'van.
Might be worth just squatting down by the back of the car with the caravan and running through the sequence of connecting up, just to check that you've not left anything out, and I assume that the car socket hasn't got a button to press to release the socket when it is in?
On our Renaults, you left the flap, mate the pins on the plug to those in the socket, then push in and twist. I think you need to push in BEFORE you twist to the right to engage and lock the plug in the socket.
On ours, it is the adapter we plug in, but the principal should be the same for both.
Our Discovery is 'old school' with two sockets.
Must be someone on this forum that is close to you that could pop round and have a look? We are in Northants, bit too far away.
This is a known problem with the new 13 pin plugs and sockets. We had great difficulty connecting ours up on our last trip away as the caravan plug had twisted itself into the 'locked' position so wouldn't connect to the car. If you look at the plug you can see that the lugs won't line up with the car when this happens.
I spoke to our caravan service man and was advised to buy a new 13 pin plug which comes with a green cap. This green cap will keep the socket correctly aligned and can be used to realign it if neccessary. Unfortunately you can't get the cap without buying the whole plug but at about £8 from Ebay I think it's probably money well spent to avoid missing another trip away.
The adapter Peter mentions is only needed if your caravan had the old styole 7 pin plug which it doesn't.
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Topic: issue towbar electric sockets connection
