Insurance Quotes

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: Is my towbar ok?
Post Reply
17/9/2013 at 12:03pm
 Location: Stockton-on-Tees
 Outfit: Elddis Typhoon GTX
View shinealite's Profile View Profile   Reply to shinealite Reply   Quote shinealite Quote  
Joined: 24/4/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   68

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Hi, I have just got a caravan after over 20 years of tenting, and I am just curious about my existing tow bar. I have a single electric towbar which I have used for towing my trailer, will this towbar be ok to tow a caravan and is there some kind of adapter to turn the single into double electric?

thanks in advance

-------------
Peace, Love & Laughter under the stars!


17/9/2013 at 12:42pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6898

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

A towbar is a towbar. They will all be capale of towing the cars max limit.

Adding the 2nd 7 pin socket is fairly easy. An hour or 2 at the most.

Or even swap to the new 13 pin socket.

Its not essential to have the 2nd socket. I never use mine. Battery is always charged before the holiday and i don't run the fridge on the journey.
So no need for the extra 7S socket.



17/9/2013 at 1:21pm
 Location: Blackwood
 Outfit: Bailey scorpio 5 birth & 5 man tent
View flufftec's Profile View Profile   Reply to flufftec Reply   Quote flufftec Quote  
Joined: 18/7/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   212
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

My caravan only has the 7n plug (black one) the other one is used for chilling my fridge so I wouldnt bother unless you are driving ling distances to camp sites

-------------
Im new to this please be gentle


17/9/2013 at 3:12pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Jack+Jon's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jack+Jon Reply   Quote Jack+Jon Quote  
Joined: 24/1/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1224

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

The caravan will have twin cables but only the black cable is needed to be plugged into your car for the road lights to work & be ok to tow. You can park the grey cable out of the way & just use the black cable.

If you want your fridge to work & caravan leisure battery to charge while driving then you will need to get a second 12s socket fitted to your car which involves extra wiring to car battery & a relay being fitted. Any towbar fitter can do this.

Post last edited on 17/09/2013 21:09:49

-------------
Regards, Jack+Jon.


17/9/2013 at 8:28pm
 Location: Stockton-on-Tees
 Outfit: Elddis Typhoon GTX
View shinealite's Profile View Profile   Reply to shinealite Reply   Quote shinealite Quote  
Joined: 24/4/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   68

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

thanks for the reply's, much appreciated

-------------
Peace, Love & Laughter under the stars!


Advertisement

Roofbox


18/9/2013 at 4:31am
 Location: Skipton
 Outfit: Coachman Wanderer & Audi A6 allroad
View stephenn280575's Profile View Profile   Reply to stephenn280575 Reply   Quote stephenn280575 Quote  
Joined: 04/5/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   274

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

You need to check what type of hitch your caravan has. If it has the bulky type alko hitch with built in stabiliser, you will need a relevant tow ball.
These type require sufficient clearance which is provided by most swan neck types and also alko's own extended tow ball


18/9/2013 at 10:28am
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

with old caravan only used one plug for years without a problem,for fridge we used freezer packs.

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


18/9/2013 at 1:17pm
 Location: Kennington OXFORD
 Outfit: 2005 Eccles Sterling Topaz 2 berth
View Petemate's Profile View Profile   Reply to Petemate Reply   Quote Petemate Quote  
Joined: 22/1/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   569

Site Reviews Total: 8
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

How modern is your towcar? Has it got Canbus electrics? You will need a dedicated loom if so, to ensure safe operation of the stability control etc.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...















    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.


5804 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews

[Contact Us



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement


Advertisement

Advertisement