You may think choosing either 13-pin or 7-pin towing electrics is as simple as looking at the plug on your trailer, caravan or bike carrier. Before you make a choice keep reading…
There are a couple of features that are included in the 13-pin tow bar wiring that isn’t in the 7-pin.
The 7-pin tow bar wiring provides you with the legal minimum requirement for trailer road lighting. That is brake, side, indicators, and fog light.
With the 13-pin wiring, you get the basic functions that are provided by the 7-pin electronics plus you get reverse lights, auxiliary power functions and a permanent live feed (used for trailer stability.)
The other benefit of the 13-pin connection is that you can downgrade to a full-function 7-pin connection by using a simple 13-to-7-pin adapter. You can get a 7 to 13-pin adapter but you will still only have the basic functions of the 7-pin electrics.
The downside to 13-pin electrics? There isn’t one.
They may cost slightly more and take longer to install than standard 7-pin wiring, but you get more functions and also get future-proofing. Eventually, all trailers, caravans, and cycle carriers will have a 13-pin connection. If you go for a 7-pin connection now and decide at a later stage you need the 13-pin functionality then you would be paying twice. Much better to go with 13pin now and save yourself some money.
At Ultimate Towbars we encourage customers to go for the 13-pin wiring unless they have a very specific reason for 7 pins.
To get a quote for your tow bar fitting please visit https://www.ultimatetowbars.co.uk/local-towbar-fitting/
Keep Safe and Keep Towing
Team Ultimate