hey guys, i'm doing research for a business proposal for my university. I was wondering how many of you have had issues with faulty connectors whether that is due to dirt, corrosion or other issues. Any responses would be great!
I was also wondering if any of you would be happy to fill out a quick survey for me. It's 6 questions so should only take a couple of minutes and any responses would be great! The survey is anonymous so there's no need for personal details.
Don't think I've ever needed more than a screwdriver and a can of WD40 to deal with any such problems, but have only towed a couple of caravans and the occasional trailer so others might have more advice.
Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 10/10/2019
Have a read through some of these threads.
Don't think I've ever needed more than a screwdriver and a can of WD40 to deal with any such problems, but have only towed a couple of caravans and the occasional trailer so others might have more advice.
Bought my first old caravan in the early 1970s and I've done a lot of towing. I used to do it for a living in fact. Trailers of all kinds, boats, and caravans, and I've towed them with cars, trucks, vans and a coach. Most of those trailers were fitted with a 7 pin plug and socket, and like Bob I've never needed anything more than a screwdriver and a can of WD40 to fix any problems.
Had the centre pin earth pull out on my trailer board 7n plug recently. There didn't seem to be any type of cable restrainer in the design. This was a bought lighting board so all connections factory made.
Had various problems with 7n plugs over the years but they are cheap and easy to replace. I think corrosion and dirt is the main failure with plugs left out in all weathers for long periods.
Never had a failure with the new 13 pin plugs and I find them much easier to plug into the socket. Simply line it up then twist. The 7 pin plugs needed a lot of pushing and pulling to get them in and out.
Think you must have been using a lot of dodgy old 7 pin plugs Navver. I've certainly never found they needed a lot of pushing and pulling to get them in or out. As you say though, they are cheap and easy to replace.
I must admit I've never used a 13 pin socket, so I have no experience of them whatsoever. I have a caravan and a trailer, and both have 7 pin plugs. The car I bought recently had 2 x 7 pin sockets fitted when I bought it, and they'll do me just fine.
Yes Colin as you say over the years you've used a Screwdriver etc to fix your problems with 7pins plugs. That was the old days when auto electrics were Mick mouse to say the least. The days when we set ignition points with a fag packet. The 13 pin is the better modern day improvement. I might be old but I know a good thing when I see it.
To Davidh1996. The 13pin plug was probably designed from research such as yours but alas I think it has already solved the problem.
I would recommend David you acquire both 7 and 13 pin plugs and sockets and see the improved engineering. Best of luck with your project.
Yes I remember those days too Towedyears. Setting the points on my Cortina. Even changing the head-gasket on my side-valve Ford Anglia. I used to make my own tow-bars and wire my own towing electrics in those days too. These days though, with CanBus electrics, no way!
I'm sure the 13 pin socket is likely to be better, but they've had enough years to develop it. The 7 pin plug has been around for decades though, and there are still plenty of them in use. If I could afford a new caravan, or even a recent one, it would come with a 13 pin plug and I'd readily use it, but as I have an old car, and an even older caravan, I see no point in changing. I'd have to change the plug on my trailer too. I feel that it would just be making work to no real advantage. What would I gain?
I would not change yours either you have a caravan and car that fits your needs is comfortable and allows you to go wherever you want. Davdh1996 was asking about connection problems. Modern car electrics are far superior electronic ignitions and electrical systems are brilliant. I fit electronic ignitions to my vintage engines. Points and electric contacts deteriorate when touched by hand. Please don't mention Cortina I bought one new in 1982 pulled the caravan ok but rust and welding in less than five years. I had a Escort van new in 1984 fantastic engine but rust everywhere in no time. I am a Volvo fan and keep them for years but it put me off with Ford involvement . With regards CanBus electrics the Volvo is easy plug in and nip to Volvo for a download so the car knows the trailers on.
I think at our age our biggest concern is keeping healthy enough to keep towing our vans. I probably will need the human equivalent of new valves and head gasket and maybe the odd ball joint in time. Best regards
I think we are definitely on the same page Towedyears. There is no doubt that there have been vast improvements over the years, particularly involving rusting. My current car is nearly 12 years old, and I can't see a trace of rust anywhere on it. If I remember right my Anglia was about the same age when I got rid of it because it was absolutely falling to bits! It was on at least its second pair of sills, and they were developing holes. The front wings were rotten too.
My current car is a diesel, like my last three. I wouldn't have even looked at a 1970s diesel car. They were noisy, smelly, chucked out clouds of smoke, and had acceleration best measured on a calendar. Top speed was about 65 if you were lucky.
I'm also a Volvo fan and had one for years. However, the independent Volvo specialist who used to look after it considered my model to be the last "real Volvo" as he put it. I had a year 2000 V70, which I sold and it is still running around with over 186,000 on the clock, as that's the mileage it had on it when I sold it.
I certainly agree about your last paragraph too. I'm probably falling to bits a lot quicker than my car.
Hi Colin I sold my 2003 v70 in 2017 it was petrol with similar mileage to yours. No mechanical costs other than servicing, tyres, pads, belts. It was a great tow car but being FWD I was always mind full on wet ground not to tear grass. The new Volvo is AWD so wider wheels better traction and no tyre slip. The scouting motto leave no traces of your stay. Not a big fan of awnings for the same reason. I hope I get more use next year than I have this. Best regards.
My V70 was a diesel automatic. I had it 9 years and it was a great car to drive and had loads of room. One of the main reasons I decided it had to go was the fact that it was quite low and I was starting to struggle getting out of it. I have back and hip problems. I have a 4WD Nissan X trail now and that's a great tow car too, and it has a higher driving position. Slightly higher fuel consumption too unfortunately.
We had a Mazda MX5 now that is low add the bucket seats and firm suspension its a pleasure just to get out and stand up. We went camping with it for a weekend to checkout the caravan locations for a planned holiday trip to include Boscastle. The Mazda was cramped as was the 2 man igloo tent. The sites were checked and the holiday was all planned but days prior to our trip Boscastle got washed away. As you know at least with your own van you can adapt to such disasters and holiday elsewhere.
Might be worth looking at what’s used in Australia/USA as well. Try looking up Anderson Connectors.
Towed for over 40 years both my own trailers /caravans and hired/borrowed units with both the old style 7 pin and the newer 13 pin plugs and sockets and the newer 13 pin versions seem to be pretty reliable and don’t seem to suffer from the badly fitted/loose pin contacts others have mentioned.
Major problems I came across were usually to do with corrosion on the sockets attached to the vehicles as most didn’t have flip down covers and although you could get rubber boots to go over them when not used most people didn’t bother.
Poor wiring was another problem especially on plugs especially when people used the cables to yank the plugs out
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Topic: University Research - caravan 12v leads
