Motorhome Towbar Electrics.

When it comes to motorhome tow bar electrics the first thing to decide is if you want dedicated or universal wiring.

Dedicated Wiring

Dedicated wiring is designed and approved to fit your motorhome. It connects to the factory approved connections.  If your motorhome is under the manufacturer’s warranty then the decision is always to choose dedicated wiring.   Using anything else will invalidate your warranty should the vehicle require any work to be completed by the dealer or manufacturer.

Dedicated wiring is also more reliable than universal wiring and will not cause issues with the vehicle’s complex electrics.

Universal Wiring.

Universal wiring is a cheap and nasty way to connect your tow bar electrics.  Using Scotch locks to cut into the vehicle’s wires the universal way of connecting the towing electrics is a risk that is not worth taking.  If your motorhome is built before 2012 then universal wiring might be the only choice, due to the lack of availability for dedicated wiring for older vehicles.

Thirteen or Seven Pin Wiring?

There are two types of tow bar socket connections. Thirteen pin and seven pin.

The 13-pin socket is now the standard type.  Incorporating all rear light functions and having the option for two 12 volt feeds.  This type of socket can be used with 13 pin plug, an 8 pin plug and, with an adapter, a 7 pin plug.

The 7 –pin socket only has functions for brake, side, indicator, and fog light.  There’s no feed for reverse or for any power.

 

Conclusion.

The only sensible option is to have 13pin vehicle specific dedicated electrics and use a 13 pimn to 7 pin adapter if you require a 7 pin connection. This gives you the flexibility of having both types of connection and also future proofs your tow bar installation. 

Fitting universal wiring isn’t a good option due to issues with reliability,  vehicle compatability and vehicle warramty.