![]() |
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
UK Caravanning (uk.rec.caravanning) A forum for the discussion of caravanning undertaken by residents of the United Kingdom, whether in the UK or abroad. It encourages the interchange of views on the merits of models of caravan, makes of tow car, accessories, caravan sites, caravan clubs, and other related topics. The term caravan is to include trailer vans, motor caravans and trailer tents. |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
|||
![]()
Only one comment to add:
Some wiring looms on modern vehicles are "multiplexed" (I think that's the right term) and can lead to complexities. Maybe Tony Maris and/or the Daily Telegraph's Honest John at: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/home/index.htm can help. Son-in-law had to have his Omega electrics done by a professional, my Avensis is "normal" on the lighting front so was a doddle. Got the info from HJ. Keith "ossey" wrote in message ... I'm fairly good at car DIY, i.e. wire in a new car radio/cass. How difficult is wiring in tow bar electrics? Any pointers to look out for Thanks Ian |
Ads |
|
|||
![]() "Tony Maris" wrote in message ... Hi Ian, You didn't say (and no one has asked) what your vehicle is. Some are easy, some are real b******s. A Land Rover Discovery TD5 towbar will take around 20 minutes to fit the mechanicals (provided the threads in the 14mm captive nuts are in good order (I've had one with a bolt sheared off inside, that was fun)). An Alfa 156 will take you 1/2 a day with luck (just for the bar), a Fiat Marea Weekend about 6 hours first time, a new Beetle all day if you're lucky. Regarding wiring, using manufacturers plug-in kits may save a lot of time, though cost more. However, on some vehicles 'plug-in' kits are very time consuming, in some cases needing parts of the dash dismantling. Does your vehicle have a bulb failure warning light system? Is it fully multi-plexed? Are the feed wires to the lamps heavy enough to handle the extra load? Are any of the lamps negatively switched? Are the fuses in the fusebox rated high enough to handle the extra current? Do any of the lighting fuses share with vital circuits in the car? (One Honda has the fog light fuse shared with the central processor, blow the foglight and you knock the computer out). Where are you going to pick up the feed for the 12S power supply? If you know the answers to these, you are probably competent enough to do it. If you don't, I'd reconsider. Regards -- Tony M Towbars & Trailers Chesterfield Specialists in Towing Equipment NTTA Council Member http://www.towitall.co.uk QSA accredited for Towbars and Trailers Excellent advice - but I wonder what proportion of "professionals" establish the answers to all those questions before embarking on the job?! Roger |
|
|||
![]() "Tony Maris" wrote in message ... Hi Ian, You didn't say (and no one has asked) what your vehicle is. Some are easy, some are real b******s. A Land Rover Discovery TD5 towbar will take around 20 minutes to fit the mechanicals (provided the threads in the 14mm captive nuts are in good order (I've had one with a bolt sheared off inside, that was fun)). An Alfa 156 will take you 1/2 a day with luck (just for the bar), a Fiat Marea Weekend about 6 hours first time, a new Beetle all day if you're lucky. Regarding wiring, using manufacturers plug-in kits may save a lot of time, though cost more. However, on some vehicles 'plug-in' kits are very time consuming, in some cases needing parts of the dash dismantling. Does your vehicle have a bulb failure warning light system? Is it fully multi-plexed? Are the feed wires to the lamps heavy enough to handle the extra load? Are any of the lamps negatively switched? Are the fuses in the fusebox rated high enough to handle the extra current? Do any of the lighting fuses share with vital circuits in the car? (One Honda has the fog light fuse shared with the central processor, blow the foglight and you knock the computer out). Where are you going to pick up the feed for the 12S power supply? If you know the answers to these, you are probably competent enough to do it. If you don't, I'd reconsider. Regards -- Tony M Towbars & Trailers Chesterfield Specialists in Towing Equipment NTTA Council Member http://www.towitall.co.uk QSA accredited for Towbars and Trailers "Keith Foster" wrote in message ... Only one comment to add: Some wiring looms on modern vehicles are "multiplexed" (I think that's the right term) and can lead to complexities. Maybe Tony Maris and/or the Daily Telegraph's Honest John at: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/home/index.htm can help. Son-in-law had to have his Omega electrics done by a professional, my Avensis is "normal" on the lighting front so was a doddle. Got the info from HJ. Keith "ossey" wrote in message ... I'm fairly good at car DIY, i.e. wire in a new car radio/cass. How difficult is wiring in tow bar electrics? Any pointers to look out for Thanks Ian Thanks everyone & Tony, My car is a Ford Focus Estate, registered in 2000 I really want a tow bar for sometimes towing a trailer, and to attach a bike rack to it. I wanted one of those bars that you can disconnect a stow in the boot. I guess the wiring would be easier as I don't require a socket for the fridge etc. Where could I get a pre wired socket? Thanks Tony Ian |
|
|||
![]()
Hi Ian,
For the Focus Estate, Bosal do a quick release detachable towbar. One difficulty with these is fitting bike racks though Thule do a special which clamps onto the ball ( you obviously can't tow and carry bikes at the same time!). If you want a plug in wiring kit for this, I'd go for Ford's own, however, we happily fit our own non-plug in kit without problems. We can offer this with a pre-wired socket if you wish. I also stock Bosal and Thule so will be happy to quote for the lot if you wish. Regards -- Tony M Towbars & Trailers Chesterfield Specialists in Towing Equipment NTTA Council Member http://www.towitall.co.uk QSA accredited for Towbars and Trailers "ossey" wrote in message ... Thanks everyone & Tony, My car is a Ford Focus Estate, registered in 2000 I really want a tow bar for sometimes towing a trailer, and to attach a bike rack to it. I wanted one of those bars that you can disconnect a stow in the boot. I guess the wiring would be easier as I don't require a socket for the fridge etc. Where could I get a pre wired socket? Thanks Tony Ian |
|
|||
![]() "Tony Maris" wrote in message ... Hi Ian, For the Focus Estate, Bosal do a quick release detachable towbar. One difficulty with these is fitting bike racks though Thule do a special which clamps onto the ball ( you obviously can't tow and carry bikes at the same time!). If you want a plug in wiring kit for this, I'd go for Ford's own, however, we happily fit our own non-plug in kit without problems. We can offer this with a pre-wired socket if you wish. I also stock Bosal and Thule so will be happy to quote for the lot if you wish. Regards -- Tony M Towbars & Trailers Chesterfield Specialists in Towing Equipment NTTA Council Member http://www.towitall.co.uk QSA accredited for Towbars and Trailers "ossey" wrote in message ... Thanks everyone & Tony, My car is a Ford Focus Estate, registered in 2000 I really want a tow bar for sometimes towing a trailer, and to attach a bike rack to it. I wanted one of those bars that you can disconnect a stow in the boot. I guess the wiring would be easier as I don't require a socket for the fridge etc. Where could I get a pre wired socket? Thanks Tony Ian Thanks for your time and info Tony. Kind regards Ian |