Thetford fridge coupled to 13 pin tow socket

[Chris_374315853]

My son and I both tow our respective caravans with Mercedes e-class estates, each with 13 pin 'euro' connectors

My wife and I tow an Eccles - he and his family have an Adria, both with Thetford fridges. The vans have been serviced and found to be OK, but we are both getting fault 10 indications on our fridges, which looks like a fault at the car end.

Tried swopping cars with same result, so it seems that the problem is with the original (factory fitted) towing gear.

Can anyone point us in the right direction, please, because the Mercedes dealers tend to be none too clever with towbar electrics!

Thanks

Chris H

 

[swpostie]

Hi Chris,

We tow with a Ford Galaxy, which also has a 13-pin connector.

While we were awaiting delivery, last year, I read somewhere that the European factories that build these cars don't always wire in one of the pins, of the 13-pin plug.

I can't remember whether it is the one that works the fridge or the one that charges the battery (perhaps they're the same pin) but, apparently it's quite common (at least, with Ford) and perfectly acceptable on the continent.

Anyway, it's a problem known to the dealers and you should be able to get it rectified easily enough.

Incidentally, our Galaxy wasn't affected.

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

I would sugest contacting a dedicated fitter of towbars.

They will be conversant with the necessary imformation regarding 13 pin electrics.

I have a German caravan fitted with 13 pin electrics, when I changed my car this year I had a 13 pin socket fitted to the car. I was told to go home & check every thing on the van was working ok, & let them know.

The fridge & battery charging work perfect.

 

[RogerL]

The small print of car brochures often states that factory-fit towing electrics will only operate the road lights and not additional circuits that only caravanners use - ie the fridge and battery circuits.

Find a good auto electrician with knowledge of 13-pin towing electrics and get them to check/correct the wiring.

 

[Mikey1]

Hi Chris

On all 3 of my mercedes ml's with factory fitted towbars & 13 pins electric the fridge hasnt never worked on 12v when towing.

They dont add the split charge relay in,this has to be fitted seperately.

First check to see if you are getting 12v out of the fidge pin on the 13 pin socket with the car running.

I didnt want to pay the extra,so i used the perminant 12v on the 13 pin and altered my connector cable so the fridge will work,this runs on 12v all the time so remember to disconnect when the engine is switched off,this has worked for me for years.

 

[Chris_374315853]

Thank you all for your helpful comments. It appears that we are in the same boat as Mikey and will press on accordingly

Chris H