I've used 7 pin sockets for years and never had a problem with them. Nothing that a squirt of WD40 wouldn't fix anyway. I've never bothered to convert mine because I also tow a trailer which has a 7 pin plug, as they all once did if they don't today.
With my caravan I only usually plug in the black plug to give me road lights. I have never checked the grey plug wiring within the caravan as I can't run the fridge from it as it's a mains-only domestic fridge. Never found I needed battery charging on the road, and my caravan, being a 1992 model, isn't fitted with reversing lights. I've never been stopped for not having reversing lights as I don't think it applies if the caravan was never built with them. As you say Monty, it's a bit of a grey area.
Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 23/7/2024
I doubt they are mandatory. I don't think small trailers have them either.
My trailer certainly hasn't. My small trailer is virtually impossible to reverse with my X Trail anyway as I can only see it when it has completely jack-knifed.
According to CAMC guidance on towbar wiring, and Gov regulations:
Post Oct 1979 manufacture, "trailers wider than 1.3m are legally required to be fitted with reversing light(s)", 1 or 2 depending on trailer length. They are powered by PIN 1 on the 12S plug/socket, or PIN 8 on 13 pin plug/socket.
"Pre Sept 2008 manufactured caravans can legally be towed with just the 12N socket functioning" (no reversing lights WORKING!)
Post Sept 2008 built caravans were manufactured with the 13 pin plug (with reversing light connection), AND fitted with compulsory reversing light(s), so by implication if nothing else, reversing lights should be functional!
Where it seems to go all 'fuzzy' in a legal sense, is if tow car only has a 12N socket (and seemingly no legal obligation to NOT fit one to any car even now!) and is incapable of powering reversing lights! It seems the law requires caravan to have reversing lights, but not the car to necessarily power them! Like many a legal conundrum, it'd likely take a court case and a ruling to define what stands, and AFAIK that's not happened yet!
Nothing I've seen instructs or implies retrofitting of reversing lights is required.
Quote: Originally posted by Stubb-z on 13/9/2017
Thanks for the input - I basically just have a standard 7 pin socket on the back of the car and was wondering if one of these pin adapters would charge the battery, run the fridge etc as well as power the brake lights etc, or if they just run the towing lights.
The 7 pin plug on the car will only power the caravan external lights (excluding reverse lights), it will not charge battery, power fridge nor will it power the ATC if your caravan has it
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 24/7/2024
My 1992 caravan was never fitted with reversing lights so if there's no obligation to retro-fit them I probably won't bother.
They are fitted as standard on my 2016 van, and they work, or should that be, 'function', but pretty much up there with chocolate teapots and fireguards in usability/benefit terms IMHO!
I've got a reversing camera on back of the van, but reversing lights, and yes there are two, not really powerful enough (standard, max permitted 21W bulbs) to make that very useable in unlit areas (works remarkably well in normal street lit areas!). As to door mirrors, so far away from the 'illuminated' area (such as it is!), again pretty hopeless. I've tried reversing onto pitches in total darkness when arriving late, and thought better of it, unhitched and Motor Moved into position so I can see where the back of the van is in relation to pitch boundaries and obstacles.
IMHO, only use is as an indicator to others that you are reversing! - that's not without merit though!
Monty, the reversing lights arent their to aid you so you can see where your going, they are there to alert others behind you that your reversing, mind you if they dont realise that the big white box thing in front of them is getting closer then they have one choice, to hand in the driving licence
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Topic: Tow pin converters
via mobile 23/7/2024 at 4:26pm
