Very strange tow pins... help identifying 7 or 13?

[DeeRama]

Dear all

I'll be collecting our first family caravan, in 2 weeks time. It's an Lunar Chateau 2001 Belgian built 5 berth which we're very excited about.

Apparently the tow fitter in his 25 years has never seen a plug like this. It looks like a 7 pin, but with 13. I can't find any pictures online of others like it.

Has anyone any idea? Seen before? Will a 7 pin car connector do the job? Or should I buy a special fitting from Outer Mongolia?

The seller has said that they could swap it for 7 pin.

Thank you for your time and expertise, and for any help coming of course
D

 

[Craigyoung]

Deerama ,
Hi there , nothing strange about that plug ,I have the same kind of fitting on my tail board for my trailer which is about 15 years old for what I use for my house and garden waste, all I have is an adaptor which connects to my trailer plug and then connects it to my 13 pin plug on my car , it's a sort of a double connector which I got off Amazon for a few pound. ( a 7 pin to 13 pin converter plug / socket )

Craig

 

[DeeRama]

Thanks for your prompt reply Craigyoung
A tow bar fitter stated that it is called a 13 pin Round Truck Trailer Plug, and might be worth cutting off and re starting.

I've got dual 7s fitted on the car shoudl I swap to 13 pin?. Will this plug attached (if I don't ask for it to be chopped) charge leisure battery?

I will look for a 13 pin to trailer plug adapter (in UK) but if you find one can you send me a link too?

I'm new to this, and like my new plug, bound to get something incorrect.
Many thanks

 

[Craigyoung]

Can't get a link ( someone cleverer than me will probably come on and give you a link )but if you Google 13 pin towing adaptor it will come up with various combinations which you could use or you could google a garage that specialises in towbars and plugs near you and they could probably sort you out ?
Hope this helps & good luck.
Craig

 

[Raywood]

You should be able to get an adaptor from any caravan or trailer supplier. They cost about £25 -30. There are some cheaper but I would be wary of them.
Changing it for a seven pin system or fitting a 13 pin on the car is really a matter of what you want to do. If you are keeping the car long term changing the plugs on it could be the best idea but if not it is probably not worth it. Not sure which Chateau you have so changing the plug on the caravan might need two seven pin plugs but whether you change or not depends on if you feel the expense is worthwhile, rather than any practical issues.

 

[VicMallows]

The plug in question does look like a regular 7-pin plug, but UNUSUALLY it appears to have 6 extra pins arranged around the circumference. I suspect that these extra pins are there simply to aid location and provide increased mechanical support? .... I doubt if they have electrical connections. The plug looks to me as if it would fit into a regular 7-pin car socket (if you look at a 7-pin socket, there is a recess where the extra pins would sit).

 

[Gafferbill]

The plug shown is a Multicon WeSt as used in Netherlands and Germany.......see here

 

[DeeRama]

Thank you everyone. Good find on the German brand. Looks like it'll fit the 7 pin without issues although the dealer has said they're throw in a 12n 12s adaptor for it.
A load off my mind. It's gonna be complicated enough working our how everything works and why to do when without having to stumble at actually towing it!

 

[VicMallows]

The plug shown is a Multicon WeSt as used in Netherlands and Germany.......see here

Great work Gaffer .... fascinating link.

 

[camel]

Dear all

I'll be collecting our first family caravan, in 2 weeks time. It's an Lunar Chateau 2001 Belgian built 5 berth which we're very excited about.

Apparently the tow fitter in his 25 years has never seen a plug like this. It looks like a 7 pin, but with 13. I can't find any pictures online of others like it.

Has anyone any idea? Seen before? Will a 7 pin car connector do the job? Or should I buy a special fitting from Outer Mongolia?

The seller has said that they could swap it for 7 pin.

Thank you for your time and expertise, and for any help coming of course
D

Enjoy your Chateau, we had one from new with the bubble finish and the long 'A' frame which you will find is a better tow than any UK caravan with the short 'A' frame, also if you look at the construction of the awning rail it is actually a right angle and is a proper bond and seal between the side and the roof of the caravan,

 

[DrZhivago]

The plug shown is a Multicon WeSt as used in Netherlands and Germany.......see here

That link did not work for me, but the CC also describe it in a technical information leaflet; look on Page 7 :-
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/1022790/towbar-wiring-mo.pdf

 

[Raywood]

I would assume that the problem is as a result of this caravan not being a true Lunar, but it was built on the continent by the companies then owners.

 

[DeeRama]

Thanks all, and for the manual. Yes, this was build it Belgium prior to being built in the UK.