Picked up my new elegance 170 4x4 hatch about 6 weeks ago, dealer had fitted OEM detachable towbar and swing down 13 pin electrics, so far have towed a few short journeys without any problems. We have Just returned from much longer towing journey (120 miles) and found that the fridge was not cooling properly. Does anyone know if the OEM wiring includes pin 10 for fridge. When I ordered the vehicle I did specify full caravan wiring

Yes it does mate, funnilly had the same problem with my caravan last time I used it, the fridge is pin 10 with a seperate earth on pin 11, It is a switched output so theres only a voltage there when the cars electrics aren't loading the alternator too much, a relay monitors the alternator and when the output is at the right voltage it switches and puts roughly 12-13.5 volts to the pin, I checked mine with a volt tester and it was switching correctly, I asked an engineer about it at Skoda when it went in for its MOT and he said it could be the fact I had the air-con on as that saps alot of power from the alternator the relay wasn't switching, anyway if its not that that was causing the issue the next thing to look at is the fridge!

Also mate do you pre-cool the fridge, ours is a Thetford fridge and the manual says it needs pre-cooling for at least"12 hours" before using on the 12volt as thats only to keep it cool not to cool it?

An electrical test on a 13 pin socket is now part of the MOT.

Hmm - as I understood it the factory towbar preparation does not include the fridge line, justification being that it's not required in the rest of Europe.  The towbar fitters (usually outsourced from the dealerships) can fit one by taking a lead from the front, or not bother if it's only going to be used for trailers.  Might be an idea to check on yours and see if it's live - if not, take it back to the dealer and get them to fit it!

 

Michael

Could be that it has been warm recently and the fridge can't cope.

It will only cool a specific number of degrees below the ambient temperature.

If it is 35c outside the fridge then even when it is working it will feel like it is broken.

Also mate do you pre-cool the fridge, ours is a Thetford fridge and the manual says it needs pre-cooling for at least"12 hours" before using on the 12volt as thats only to keep it cool not to cool it?

 

I suspect that is because when on 12 volts, it is using Peltier cooling, nowhere near as efficient as normal evaporative refrigeration.