Member Since: 18 Oct 2010
Location: Bucks
Posts: 33
Towing Electrics - Swap to 13pin
Hi Folks,
Have a new tin-tent on order and will need to get 13-pin electrics installed soon.
Looks like the 13-pin kit differs from 12n and 12s only in the tail to the socket(s). Reluctant to spend ~£100 for the full 13-pin kit unless I have to so am wondering if there's any way of getting hold of just the 13-pin socket to the 3 multi-plugs part? Can anyone help?
Other option would be to buy a 13-pin socket and wire it up myself, but not sure how easy this is. Any advice?
Thanks in advance,
JED
31st Mar 2011 4:00 pm
JED
Member Since: 18 Oct 2010
Location: Bucks
Posts: 33
Forgot to add - I already have twin electrics installed from the factory
31st Mar 2011 4:01 pm
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Any decent camping/ cara........ Nope, I can't say that word.... but anyway, those kind of places will be able to sell you a 7n + 7s to 13pin adapter Bodsys Brake Bible
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31st Mar 2011 4:03 pm
Frapp
Member Since: 19 Dec 2008
Location: Norff Zummerzet
Posts: 1655
CARAVAN
fwiw I had an adaptor which was poo as not all the stuff worked ie fridge, reversing lights.
I now have a 13 pin socket with two leads out to 7 pin plugs, works a treat about £35
And I can still tow other trailersMember of the carrot crank club
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D4 Landmark for towing duties
31st Mar 2011 4:27 pm
mzplcg
Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: Gone
Posts: 1087
I would caution against trying to wire & fit your own 13 pin socket on to dual 7 loom. The LR part is sealed with potting compound and also has a plastic base plate to make the screw holes line up.
You could bodge it on for sure but for the sake of a few quid with Nick @ Yeovil it's not worth the hassle it will cause once corrosion sets in. You "might" be able to just buy the short loom without the internal bits but remember the screws and base plate etc. Loads of bovver.
If you go down the adaptor lead route, please be aware you will need to take every precaution to ensure the leads do not drag on the ground. The damage caused by a short circuit could be costly in lost holiday time and dosh!!
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31st Mar 2011 5:29 pm
NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
I changed my 7-pin N and S sockets to a 13-pin. Yes, I accept the comment about the fact that the Discovry plugs are potted at the back for waterproofing, I didnt realise this until I started work and stripping everything. I know that I'm not going wading in two feet of water so not being sealed at the back isn't too much of a problem.
I put the two looms into the back of the 13-pin socket, and yes it is very tight and you do have to be careful about stripping the conductors at the right length and getting them laid correctly otherwise there's too much of a bundle and everything probably won't go together.
The 13-pin socket I got from ebay had a long rubber boot at the back that I tied a cable tie tightly around once the cables were through. Perhaps a load of silicone in the back would provide extra weatherproofing.
Mine's been fine so far, no problems. N and S sockets should be banned!
Even dare I say Halfords "we're nuts about bikes" have an adaptor for the tow elctrics, both ways, 2 plugs to one and one plug to two depending on your needs, I think they are the Ring brand, circa £30-35Altox GSM FBH controller thread
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31st Mar 2011 5:38 pm
cte
Member Since: 04 Nov 2006
Location: Aberdare
Posts: 184
I had mine on old D3 swopped over to a 13 pin at a trailer specialist, cost me £20 plus VAT and took half hour.
31st Mar 2011 7:43 pm
buellbeast
Member Since: 30 Jul 2008
Location: Exile
Posts: 1885
I'm nearly sure I have a twin socket to 13 pin converter, is it worth £25 posted Club Forum Criminal !!!
31st Mar 2011 7:59 pm
JED
Member Since: 18 Oct 2010
Location: Bucks
Posts: 33
All,
Thanks for the replies and various comments. Keen to avoid adaptors (unless to allow towing of 7-pin trailers from time to time).
Think I'll drop a PM to Nick and check prices with him.
Regards,
JED
1st Apr 2011 6:03 pm
NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
If you do fit a 13pin socket and need to plug in a 7pin plug there's a neat adaptor only about 30mm long that connects between the two as an adaptor. No trailing cable and you dont notice it's there.
2nd Apr 2011 6:07 am
Fandango
Member Since: 07 Mar 2011
Location: Jersey
Posts: 5
Nick
This adapter, what make is it and where do you get hold of one as it sounds ideal for what I'm looking for.
Thanks
19th Apr 2011 8:45 pm
Dave
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2462
Halfords Ring is the brand you want, I had a halfords own brand and it fell to bits. Ring version is around £15, very handyCaptain Nick Medhurst would ask:
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19th Apr 2011 9:35 pm
Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
To me it is a false economy to 'bodge' when you have spent multi thousands on your D4 and multi thousands on your CARAVAN (nothing wrong with that word unless you are some sort of Jeremy Clarkson Weirdo) I would only have the official gear fitted ! Any problems and you can go back to LR LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
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