That is the question! I have been studying loads of info on the forum but as regards the tow bar I am now totally confused. Can I order a factory fitted tow bar with twin electrics for caravan towing or not?

 

 

One dealer has said it comes with a continental plug and requires expensive work at the dealers too.

Now, my understanding of the said plug is a 13 pin to which I could then connect an adapter at the cost of a few pounds to connect to my 12n/12s ones, am I wrong?

 

 

This dealer has advised they could fit a complete tow bar for me when the car arrives.

I cannot understand why the option is listed if it is not suitable for towing a caravan?

Surely fitting during the build makes more sense if one knows at the time of ordering that a tow bar is required?

 

 

I am off to test drive tomorrow and will talk to the dealer there, but having read some comments on here that the sales people can be a bit vague on this issue, I am seeking enlightenment from you guys!

 

Help!!

One for you Graham.......

Thanks 33q!!

 

That is the question! I have been studying loads of info on the forum but as regards the tow bar I am now totally confused. Can I order a factory fitted tow bar with twin electrics for caravan towing or not?

 

YES, ALMOST! TWIN ELECTRICS ARE NOT STANDARD, BUT THE NEW 13PIN IS. GO FOR THAT AS IT IS THE BETTER SYSTEM AND YOU CAN EASILY GET A CONVERSION LEAD. SOME DEALERS EVEN SUPPLY THEM

 

One dealer has said it comes with a continental plug and requires expensive work at the dealers too.

Now, my understanding of the said plug is a 13 pin to which I could then connect an adapter at the cost of a few pounds to connect to my 12n/12s ones, am I wrong?

 

NO, YOU ARE CORRECT, SEE ABOVE. DEALER IS TAKING THROUGH HIS (insert as required)

 

This dealer has advised they could fit a complete tow bar for me when the car arrives.

I cannot understand why the option is listed if it is not suitable for towing a caravan?

Surely fitting during the build makes more sense if one knows at the time of ordering that a tow bar is required?

 

BOTH TOW BARS ARE SUITABLE FOR A CARAVAN, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT. ALL TOWBARS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO MEET EU STANDARDS.

PERHAPS THERE IS A BIGGER PROFIT TO THE DEALER IF THEY ARRANGE FITMENT LOCALLY.

GO FOR THE FACTORY FIT!!

 

I am off to test drive tomorrow and will talk to the dealer there, but having read some comments on here that the sales people can be a bit vague on this issue, I am seeking enlightenment from you guys!

 

Help!!

Hope that helps. From experience few dealers understand caravans and towing

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You are wonderful! This has been causing me a lot of concern, I even started to question my choice of vehicle! I will now confidently INSIST on a factory fit!

 

Best wishes

 

Linda

Graham... You are the expert on these matters...no point in the rubbing rag trying to answer when the engine driver is around.....

Linda, no problem.

 

33q, engine driver......ENGINE DRIVER!!!!

Do you mind!!!

I'm a "bobbie"!!!!

Sorry Graham...couldn't resist baiting you...Mr Signalman

Graham,

Please clarify:

So called "twin" electrics differ to "single" electrics only with the addition of a feed to the caravan fridge? 

As this is usually only asked for by UK caravan owners it isn't included in towbar prep. It is also only activated when the car engine is running above tickover speed.

Although I do have "twin" wiring I can't really see that it's an essential. We precool our fridge by leaving it connected to our house electrics until departure. We also use freezer blocks in the fridge and have never noticed any melting in them during the trip to the site.

I suspect that unless your journey was very long in high temperatures you could do without the additional feed to the fridge.

 

Fred

Twin electrics are having the black (12N) 7 pin plug for the lighting, and the grey (12S) 7 pin plug for the battery charging, fridge, etc. The power for the fridge and battery on the 12S is only "live" when the alternator is charging.

 

Correct it isn't automatically included in the tow bar prep.

 

I'd agree with you over the fridge and battery being unneccesary. The fridge basically only stays at the same temperature and the battery charge is very small. We gave up with it when I realised that on a 6 hour Channel crossing there would be no power there and when we arrived in Caen the fridge was still cold anyway. Like you we try to pre-cool and fill with cold stuff and a few ice packs.

I can see the truth in what you are saying- it is just something as caravanners we expect and have been led to believe we need! I too plug my caravan into the house electricity supply before travelling, however, some people have their vans in storage so I imagine they would want to be able to cool their fridge whilst travelling. Also, if touring and using non EHU cl's for example, I always thought the caravan battery was getting a useful  boost between sites?

 

If the tow bar comes fitted with a 13 pin plug that will be double electrics, so how would that work for a trailer with single electrics? Is there an adapter to use for that too?  

 

Had a test drive today- loved it! The showroom was Yeti heaven! They had a fair number of used ones lined up as well, I had never seen so many!

This is where I disagree ... for me fridge and battery feeds are essential and I'm not prepared to accept anything less, power for my ATC is another issue.

 

However this is ground that has been covered before.

 

Glad you enjoyed the Yeti fairyvan ... great car.

As Iain says, it is something that cannot be agreed upon, and we all beg to differ politely. Personally I've never found the fridge on 12v at all effective.

13 pin to 7 pin adapter: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400537694380?lpid=54&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=54&ff19=0

Or

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof-PlugTrailer-Caravan-Electric-Converter/dp/B005UUJ3DU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1378837375&sr=8-3&keywords=13+pin+Trailer+Caravan+Plug+adapter+to+7+pin+Towbar+Socket

When we had a caravan we stored it miles from home so having a 12 volt feed was very useful, it did manage to start the cooling process and give the battery a boost.

Mine is chilled from the mains at home before travelling ... so the 12v is just used to keep it that way.

I have just had my Yeti delivered with the factory fitted towbar It has 13 pin electrics and an adaptor for a 7 pin N plug. I have not yet tried it on the caravan

That is nice to know g7eor. How long have you waited for yours? I am about to place my order. I am expecting a 12 week wait.

Ordered on May 21st delivered to my drive on Sept  5th. Lots of switches and buttons to play with but I am starting to find out what MOST of them do Previously drove a VW Touran

The 13 pin connector is far, far superior. To be honest I would junk the twin electrics on the van and wire them up to a 13 pin plug. Much, much less hassle.

 

The only part of the 12S that I require is the reverse lights, the live feeds etc are of no interest to me. From what I can tell the 12S only does 3 things - power to the caravan when the car is running and to the fridge plus reversing lights.

 

Mike

I  basically agree with Rockhopper about the 12S connection and next time I wonder if I need it. My only concern would be if the 12S wiring is needed to power the ATC trailer control on any new van I might get. Does anyone know the answer to that?

I'm on my third ATC equipped 'van now (fourth on order) ... the first had 12N/12S sockets and power for the ATC certainly came from the 12S.  With 13 pin it all comes through the one socket obviously.

 

Interestingly, to cope with the bigger van we have on order, we have ordered a VW Tiguan ... the factory bracket for it provides wiring for fridge, battery charger etc ... why can't Skoda do the same?

 

As for ATC I wouldn't be without it ... towed happily for years without it but it gives that extra security.

My last yeti had 13pin but as my trailers are both 7 pin had to use an adaptor.

bit of a pain as everytime I came to connect the trailer I found I had left the adaptor in the boot, (Grr! especially when the boot is full)

cant leave the adaptor in the socket as you can't push the socket up into the bumper as it sticks out too much.

My current yeti just has 7 pin so no worries and I wont be towing any caravans.

My last yeti had 13pin but as my trailers are both 7 pin had to use an adaptor. bit of a pain as everytime I came to connect the trailer I found I had left the adaptor in the boot, (Grr! especially when the boot is full) cant leave the adaptor in the socket as you can't push the socket up into the bumper as it sticks out too much. My current yeti just has 7 pin so no worries and I wont be towing any caravans.

 

Err?

You just leave the adaptor connected to the trailer sockets.

Good thought Graham!

And the adapter is a twist lock so easier to fit to the 13 pin socket!

I have just converted a 12N to 13 pin and added a 'pink' wire for reverse.

Now all I have to do is plug it in when I have time and it isn't raining. (And connect my 'pink' wire to the reverse light).

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