Towbar electrics - best practise?

[Choppski]

i'm looking to fit a westfalia tow bar to my 1982 RHD camper and wondered if anyone can help me understand if there is a 'best practise' as to where the wires are placed and where they fit into the light cluster compartment. I noticed that there appears to be a rubber gromet near this area, is this the best place or is there another way?

I've looked on past threads and found a useful wiring diagram at Trident Trailers, what is the best way to connect the wires? I've seen conflicting messages about using scotch clips.

Also the wire from the tow bar is only about a 12 inches (removed from scrap yard), what is the best way to add a connecting wire to reach the light cluster electrics?

Any help would be appreciated.

[kevtherev]

there's a junction box in the engine bay, on the bulkhead facing you to the left.
Inside are all the wires to the lights.
I used a proper joining block as scotch locks look a bit naff and sometimes fail to connect

It's a nice tidy way to connect your tow bar electrics

You can rewire tow bar connectors and the wiring needs are obtained from any caravan accessory shop or Towshure

[AdrianC]

You can rewire tow bar connectors and the wiring needs are obtained from any caravan accessory shop or Towshure

Seconded. I'd definitely lob the old cable & socket, and buy new. Don't be tempted to go for the ally sockets - unless you want to be anal about polishing them, they very quickly go furry and the lids can even seize shut. The plastic ones are not only cheaper, but (imho) preferable.

As well as wiring it up, you really ought to have a dash repeater for the trailer indicators or a buzzer (that you can actually hear...). I've never previously bothered, but I've heard unsubstantiated rumours that the MOT's going to start to cover towbar wiring.

12n Plug & Socket Wiring (black)
Pin 1 = Yellow - Left Hand Indicator
Pin 2 = Blue - Rear Fog Light
Pin 3 = White - Chassis
Pin 4 = Green - Right Hand Indicator
Pin 5 = Brown - Right Hand Tail Light
Pin 6 = Red - Brake Lights
Pin 7 = Black - Left Hand Tail Light

[Choppski]

there's a junction box in the engine bay, on the bulkhead facing you to the left.
Inside are all the wires to the lights.
I used a proper joining block as scotch locks look a bit naff and sometimes fail to connect

It's a nice tidy way to connect your tow bar electrics

You can rewire tow bar connectors and the wiring needs are obtained from any caravan accessory shop or Towshure

thanks Kev, but is there a best way to route the wires to get to the junction box? is it just through the rubber engine seal (its an Aircooled)?

[AdrianC]

thanks Kev, but is there a best way to route the wires to get to the junction box? is it just through the rubber engine seal (its an Aircooled)?

If it's any help, I can take a pic of how Westy themselves did it tomorrow, since I'll be spending a fair chunk of the day in the engine bay...

[Choppski]

thanks Kev, but is there a best way to route the wires to get to the junction box? is it just through the rubber engine seal (its an Aircooled)?

If it's any help, I can take a pic of how Westy themselves did it tomorrow, since I'll be spending a fair chunk of the day in the engine bay...

that would be great thanks!

[AdrianC]

thanks Kev, but is there a best way to route the wires to get to the junction box? is it just through the rubber engine seal (its an Aircooled)?

If it's any help, I can take a pic of how Westy themselves did it tomorrow, since I'll be spending a fair chunk of the day in the engine bay...

that would be great thanks!

OK, I'm not sure the pics'll be any use - they're not exactly clear... The wiring on ours comes from the towbar through the vents in the rear panel behind the bumper - the middle one, between the two hinges for the number plate/oil/coolant flap, then heads off towards the RH side.

[naskeet]

Keep in mind that modern caravans, are probably fitted with the single 13-pin ISO towing electrical connector, in preference to the two 7-pin connectors.

[elsid]

there's a junction box in the engine bay, on the bulkhead facing you to the left.
Inside are all the wires to the lights.
I used a proper joining block as scotch locks look a bit naff and sometimes fail to connect

It's a nice tidy way to connect your tow bar electrics

You can rewire tow bar connectors and the wiring needs are obtained from any caravan accessory shop or Towshure

Kev, by proper joining blocks do you mean the plastic screwed terminal strips or the crimp type? I have fitted a Witter towbar, with a little difficulty as one of the holes didn't line up properly, and intend to run the cable along the bar and into the end of the chassis rail on the nearside. There is a hole in the top of the chassis through which the cable can enter the engine bay and pass below the coil to the terminal box. The two tail lights are on different pins is it OK to put the two wires, black and brown, into the same block and connect to a grey/red wire? Will the flash rate of the standard indicator relay be OK with extra trailer light connected?
Thanks Sid

[kevtherev]

there's a junction box in the engine bay, on the bulkhead facing you to the left.
Inside are all the wires to the lights.
I used a proper joining block as scotch locks look a bit naff and sometimes fail to connect

It's a nice tidy way to connect your tow bar electrics

You can rewire tow bar connectors and the wiring needs are obtained from any caravan accessory shop or Towshure

Kev, by proper joining blocks do you mean the plastic screwed terminal strips or the crimp type? I have fitted a Witter towbar, with a little difficulty as one of the holes didn't line up properly, and intend to run the cable along the bar and into the end of the chassis rail on the nearside. There is a hole in the top of the chassis through which the cable can enter the engine bay and pass below the coil to the terminal box. The two tail lights are on different pins is it OK to put the two wires, black and brown, into the same block and connect to a grey/red wire? Will the flash rate of the standard indicator relay be OK with extra trailer light connected?
Thanks Sid

use crimp type or better still solder.
The flash rate will be the same
try to keep the brake lights separate, if you get a light failure then you don't lose the lot

[xpress]

anyone got a picture od the blocks going into the junction box? are there empty sockets in the box to add the towbar elwctrics or do you have to cut existing blocks off and twist and pair existing light wire with the towbar electrics wire?

just trying to think of best way.

[CovKid]

Did mine with choc blocs although its a tight fit in that box. Never had any probs and its been on for 5 years. I test it periodically but it always checks out OK.

[kevtherev]

I broke into the loom and soldered the wires in
takes longer but it takes up less room

[xpress]

thanks all. are choc blocks 2 into one?