Our VW Tiguan has a detachable tow ball, and the connector plug is set so far underneath the back of the car it is difficult to see and connect to. The local towbar specialist says nothing can be done, like bringing it forwards to make it easier, because the wiring would not allow for that. My husband has to get on his knees to see the plug to connect properly, not good for a 75 yr old! Apparently the make of the tow bar means we we would have to have a new entire towbar fitted to change to an easier accessed electric connector. Any suggestions please?
Two reasons why they are where they are,
1) with tow bar detached they are not obviously visible (mine also hinges up out of sight), therefore retaining aesthetic look of vehicle (which is the purpose of detachable tow bar),
2) with tow bar detached, fitted anywhere else and they would be the lowest hanging thing on rear of car and highly susceptible to damage (tow bars tend to protect sockets)!
Assuming if your husband has difficulty fitting plug into socket, he doesn't remove the detachable tow bar! Mine is very heavy and requires getting onto knees to fit/remove and is a whole lot harder than fitting electric plug in socket!
Still working on assumption that you do not remove the tow bar, then a short extension lead suitably (securely, and out of harms way) attached to tow bar would bring the socket into a more accessible position. A competent DIY'er or Auto Electrician could knock one up in 1/2 hour for under £20 in parts. Done correctly it would not stop tow bar being detached if required.
With a extra set of contacts (extra plug and socket) now in the wiring, you do slightly increase possibility of electrical faults developing, the normal fitting and removal of plug tend to keep contacts clean, but one set of yours would not benefit from that, but the risk is slight with more reliable sealed 13 pin sockets, 7 pin sockets are not sealed and more prone to water ingress and corrosion.
Just to point out that it's the towing SOCKET on the towcar. The connecting PLUG is fitted to the trailer or caravan very much the same as a domestic 3 pin plug and socket.
I assume it's a single 13 pin as you refer to the singular socket, for about£13 you can get an extension from eBay, cable might be too long, cable tie to towbar, if you hubby can't get down to connect plug I surmise he can't detach towball either, no problems
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Topic: Car electric connector.
via mobile 28/5/2020 at 3:09pm
