Professional
Towbar Fitting

We often get asked what the towing capacity of a tow bar is, but it is your car that determines what you can tow safely and legally.

The exact towing capacity figure that should be used for your vehicle is that which is stamped on the Vehicle Identification Number Plate (VIN Plate). The VIN plate can usually be found under the bonnet or on a door pillar and details of the location will be in the owner’s handbook.

You should not rely on online figures or those in a handbook as these are often generic for the vehicle, and choices made at the point of manufacture can change the figure.  A panoramic vehicle for instance can greatly reduce a towing capacity.  

Vehicle Specific Wiring, the most important part of the TowBar system now.

Where possible we fit vehicle specific wiring to all vehicles. 

Since the early 2000’s, automotive technology moved rapidly forward in introducing network systems in vehicles which allow the detection of a trailer. In many cases, not only did the manufacturer design the vehicle to detect the trailer, but created enhanced features within the network, which actually makes it vitally important for the trailer to be ‘seen’ and not ‘hidden’ from the towing vehicle.  The advantages of a dedicated wiring kit are that the vehicle will know when you are towing and will automatically adjust the following if the vehicle has them:

- Brake Electronics

- Engine Electronics

- Cruise Control or A.C.C.

- Parking Aids

- Reversing Cameras

- Lane Change Assisting

- Suspension System

- Engine Cooling System

7pin
7 pin sockets provide electrics for working lights on whatever you plug in, this was the standard plug for everything in the UK at one point but has now been superceded by 13pin due to European law changing so that anything sold now has to have a reverse light. If you have anything older then it may be on 7pin or 13pin, please check before ordering but adapters are always available.

13 Pin
The standard socket for everything now, this covers you for anything new, whether it be a bike rack or caravan. As of September 2008 all caravans manufactured should be wired up with 13 pin plugs that meet ISO11446 (international standards organisation) and the U.K. representative B.S.I. (British standards institute) requirements. 

A 13 pin socket has the option to charge your leisure battery in a caravan and supply power to the Al-Ko stabiliser.

Still not sure what wiring to choose?
If in doubt we always recommend choosing the 13pin option so all functions are available for you now or in the future as the difference between kits are minimal but swapping electrics in the future is a more costly option. 

Got a newer car, but older caravan with twin electrics?  We will fit a 13pin socket to your vehicle and we can supply you with an adapter.

The answer is no, not a towbar that can tow. On a few specific vehicles there is a bike rack carrier that looks like a towbar but is not designed to tow anything. Please get in touch and we can check if this is possible for your vehicle.