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DIY Fitting Guide

Tools Required

The fitting of a towbar is easily done by any competent DIY person with a small number of basic tools eg. Sockets or spanners max 24mm, an electric drill with a maximum bit size of 12mm, (some bars will require the use of a hole cutter)and an assortment of screwdrivers, along with pliers, wire cutters and a knife.

Check Model of Vehicle

Vehicle manufacturers can make many changes to items such as bumpers , exhausts, trim etc, throughout the production run of a particular model. It is important for the correct fiting of the towbar to ascertain which model /update you are fitting to.

Bodykits/Exhausts

The fitting of aftermarket bodykits can sometimes interfere with the correct fitting of the towbar, and may need some cutting, also replacement exhausts may differ considerably from the original, however cautious bending of support arms or mounting points can usually get around this problem.

Number Plates

On occasions where the vehicle number plate is obscured by the towball/towbar, it is necessary to either remove the towball when not towing, or re-position the number plate and it's method of lighting.

Drilling Bodywork

Always check when drilling the bodywork that you are not drilling through any hidden pipework, wiring, panels, or the petrol tank!

Painting

Most towbars supplied by "Autowbars" can be painted as they are delivered coated with a primer, but on no account paint over any Type Approval stickers or plates attached to the towbar.

Wiring 12n Socket

The wiring of the 12n socket is usually a straight forward procedure. In the vehicle's wiring loom identify the 7 seperate wires required to power the sidelights, indicators, brake lights, fog lights, and finally the earth. Identify these before proceeding to wire up the 12n socket as you may need to look in another area to find the feeds to lights that may be in the tailgate for instance. You will need some sort of warning device for the indicators, either audible or visual. It is also a good idea to earth direct to the vehicles body if possible.

View from rear of socket.

                               Pin 1 LH Indicator  Pin 2 Fog Light  Pin 3 Earth

Pin 4 RH Indicator  Pin 5 RH Tail    Pin 6 Stop/Brake

Pin 7 LH Tail  

Wiring 12s Socket

The 12s socket provides power for your caravan fridge, auxillary battery, and interior lights/water pump etc. The way that this cable of 7 wires is connected depends on the year of manufacture of your caravan. As a general rule a split charge relay or smartcom must be used to prevent the draining of the vehicles battery by appliances left switched on in your caravan whilst the engine is not running. The relay should come with wiring instructions.

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Type Approval explained

29/09/2003 19:17:35