Towing caravan fitted with LED rear lighting.

countax
countax Forum Participant Posts: 112
edited July 2017 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hello.

I'm about to collect my new Sterling (Swift) caravan fitted with LED lighting and I will be towing with a 2008 Volvo V70 SE.

The car was fitted with a Volvo towbar in mid 2011 by a Volvo main agent.  Has anyone any experience or knowledge as to whether the lighting on the caravan will operate correctly with this match? 

I have purchased a Sargent Electrical VLM4 module Type A3 to take with me when I collect the caravan. If there is a problem then I am told that this module may, or may not, fix the problem! 

 I would much prefer to rely on someone with experience. Anyone out there can advise?

thank you.

Comments

  • Maria1
    Maria1 Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited July 2017 #2

    Hi

    Did you get sorted with this issue as we are having a similar problem ?

  • countax
    countax Forum Participant Posts: 112
    edited July 2017 #3

    No. Still not sorted. Sargent support are pretty hopeless. My main Volvo agent never got  back to me despite assurances that he had the information in front of him on his PC. He has now lost my servicing etc. 

    To top it all my caravan retailer has passed the buck completely to me. I understand that it really isn't his problem or responsibility however.................

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2017 #4

    You surprise me 're Sargent. They've been pretty helpful when I've contacted them.

  • countax
    countax Forum Participant Posts: 112
    edited July 2017 #5

    Hi. 

    An update. I collected my new 'van today and my Volvo V70 interworked with the LED lighting perfectly. So, I have a VLM for sale, unused and brand new.

    Only one issue. The ATC doesn't operate i.e. There is no light. I need to check pin 9 on the 13 pin socket on the car. Does anyone know if I can piggy-back pin9 onto the fridge supply or does the ATC require it's own feed from the battery? 

    Thank you. 

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited July 2017 #6

    With my 2017 swift the dealer fitted a VLM free of charge, I really don't understand why you bought one, dealers have a stock of them which they fit in 5 mins.

    No your ATC requires a separate feed I use nothing smaller than 3mm for both fridge and permanent feeds, some NTTA agents will use only one 3mm feed , but I do not recommend that with these tall fridges rated at 170 watt.

    You also need at least a 20 amp fuse for ATC.

  • countax
    countax Forum Participant Posts: 112
    edited July 2017 #7

    Thank you. I'll test the socket and install the feed as necessary. 

    Reference my dealer. He has no stock of VLMs possibly because he has only recently started retailing Swift caravans rather than just Swift motorhomes? 

    I guess knowledge will come with experience. embarassed

  • pagan8c
    pagan8c Forum Participant Posts: 91
    edited July 2017 #8

    My last car was a 2013 XC70 and my new Swift caravan has the LED lights and, as you, they worked perfectly with the Volvo. I now have the new XC90 which has LED lights and again no problems with the caravan lights. My last 4 cars have been Volvos and I had them put the towbars on them and have never had a problem with lights or power to fridge etc. 

  • crusader
    crusader Forum Participant Posts: 299
    100 Comments
    edited July 2017 #9

    ATC did you have the engine running when you tried it, I tried mine with the engine off and it did not function. LED most cars will adapt to take them my 2005 Jeep did

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