I fitted a new towbar to my car last year but my trailer plug, and the one on my bike rack light bar, don't fit snugly into it. What's more, the latch that is supposed to hold the plug into the socket doesn't do its job either.
So, I'm never sure if my lights are going to stay working once I'm on the move.
I intend to replace the lot with good quality and matched pieces that lock together well. Can anyone here recommend or advise?
Yes, I'm happy to buy on ebay but cheap is not my primary concern. I want plugs and sockets that will make a good solid connection and have a latch to hold them together. The cheapest solution would be to stick with what I have already but they're not working too great so ought to be replaced.
I thought that recently with mine, turned out there was a bit of stray plastic on the moulding that just needed working a bit to get the plug to go slightly further into the socket. Lo and Hey presto, the lights were then reliable and the latch worked as it should.
That latch on mine reaches where it should, but the plug is so floppy in the socket that it's useless. I'll have a good look at it though just to make sure it's not fixable before I spend money.
If you are really worried about the two parts parting, swap over to a 13 pin euro plug.
The plug uses a twist to lock mechanism, and the socket lid fits over the stange bit of plastic on the side of the plug to hold it in place.
A bit of extra rewiring will be require to do a proper job, but if you dont wont to go the whole hog in rewiring the car socket, just use the wires you have from the 7 pin to the correct terminals on the 13 pin & vice versa in the plugs.
(Although new MOT regs' may require a fully working plug to pass - I'm not an MOT tester)
------------- Talking to myself is sometimes the only intelligent conversation I get!
Now that's a great idea that I hadn't considered.
I could really do without having to wire in the entire 13 pin plug though - my wife nearly cried when she saw me taking our new car apart to fit the 7 pin electrics!
Quote: Originally posted by connolly1 on 05/5/2012
have you not got an audiable ,bleeper fitted my came with towbar etc,when it dont bleep somethings wrong lol
No, I have the dedicated wiring loom for my car so I get dashboard lights to tell me if a bulb is out. However, that only works if the trailer is plugged in - and my socket/plug is so loose that it very often falls out.
We got a trailer back in 2009, so had the 13 pin Euro Plug fitted, must admit it is a very secure connection, like others have said twist bayonet affair with socket cover also holding the plug in place.
Did over 2k miles towing in France no problem, apart from the cars onboard system telling me that my left trailer brake light had failed, which I thought was quite nifty.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: 7 pin trailer plugs and sockets
