Twin electrics to single?

[Robtel]

My towcar has twin electric sockets for towing as does my current caravan. If I were to change my caravan and find the new one has only the single electrical 12v socket what is the easiest/best way around this:
Buy a two into one connection that I see some people using? but does that not cause a problem by lengthening the cable and the potential from dragging on the ground when on the move?
or
Convert the present two electrical sockets on the car to one suitable for the new 13 pin connector? Does this involve complete rewiring of the towing electrics or just convert the two existing cables into one new socket? Is it a d.i.y. job or one for auto electrician? What would be the expected cost?
Thanks
Robert

 

[MikeyW]

Hi Robert

I'm changing my van in September with the same issue. I'm going to have the car rewired with a single plug. Made enquiries and it's going to be £75 complete. Not sure if it's a DIY job but I wouldn't try personally., but that's just me. Hope this helps.

Regards Mike

 

[Guest]

The obvious answer is to match the car socket(s) to the van plug, or plugs. However, if that is not an option for any reason, maybe you wish to try an outfit before going the whole deal, then using the adaptor cables will work well. Any excess cable can be wrapped round the jockey wheel shaft when it is retracted and secured. Like any connection, keep them clean and water tight and you will find little problems, although some unfortunately have done so.

I personally have been using an adaptor set for 5 years without any problem whatsoever, but I remove the adaptor set for winter storage and ensure the pins etc are kept clean. I have looked at rewiring the van to a 13 pin plug to match the car, but discovered that the cables were much thicker than those used in twin set ups and would not feasably go into the plug. I also looked at redoing the cables but the wiring 'disappears' under the wardrobe into 'spaghetti junction' and the connections are not clear, so i am not touching it.

 

[JohnGriffiths]

No its not a difficult job and how to do it it was covered in the Practical Caravan Magazine a while ago. When I bought a new caravan in April I bought a converter at the dealers with a view to using it long term. But after having a closer look it was obvious the outer casing of both 7 and 13 pin connectors was identical, which means you can use the same mount on the towbar. So armed with a "map" of old and new I just unscrewed the old wires, screwed them into the new connector and mounted it on one of the brackets. Much simpler now to hitch up, and no long trailing wires to rub on the ground.

 

[anotherDavid]

I have converted my car without problems or being an electrician. Get a length of 13 core cable and a new 13 pin socket and a wireing diagram. Uncouple the existing 12n and 12s sockets, insert all the wires into a length of connecting block. Wire up the 13 pin socket if its not allready conected to the cable and carefully match up the wires in the conecting block. Tape it up well to keep ouout ther damp and secure it out of harms way under the car.
This online dealer supplied cable and socket quickly and at a reasonable price
www.westerntowing.co.uk and thier website has all the information you need.
Cost me about £5

 

[Robtel]

thanks to all who have taken the time to reply, still don't know which route I will go down but at least I have some options now.

Robert

 

[DerekBrad]

I converted my car as did David. It is a straightforward job, but only if you feel comfident. I housed the connector block in the well of the boot. No problem.
Derek
Abbey Vogue 2 495
06 Honda CRV diesel

 

[Conquerorman]

Hi I changed mine to a 13 pin socket. It cost me £20. I'm sometimes having trouble when connecting as the pins on the 13 pin plug seem to have moved when the plug was last disconnected. I spoke to another chap while on holiday and he was having the same problem. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[xtrailman]

rob
you can put your original cables into a new 13pin socket, you will need to fit a cable shroud,and a new bracket (or cut the centre hole out on the original).
£75 seems a little expensive for a 30-50 min job?

 

[Jennifer2]

The outer locking ring on the plug is loose. Holding it pointing away from you, turn it fully anti-clockwise before inserting into the socket on the car. Insert, and turn clockwise to lock into the correct position.