Too hot to travel?
Last September, we had our usual cross channel trip, but this time enjoying temperatures higher, for longer than we can remember.
On moving on one morning, about 9.30am, temp already 25C, my wife was unable to plug in the caravan 13 pin connector to the car (this was our first trip abroad with a 13 pin connector, having had, earlier in the year, to consign our 21 year old Abbey Chorus
to the campsite in the sky).
Thinking the problem was the angle - the front of the van was down, as also the rear of the car being only just off the deck, I pulled off the pitch onto the road. Even then we had no luck. Thinking I was going to need help, which may take time, I pulled
onto a spare pitch so the outfit was in the shade. To cut the story short, about 10 minutes later, we were able to connect successfully and have not since suffered a recurrence of the problem.
Since, when we bought the van, were were given a drawbar cover as a freebie, we'd decided to use it. We can only think therefore, that the heat had built up under the cover and the rubberised material of the caravan plug had expanded.
We've never had such a problem before, despite higher temperatures, although the previous 2x7 pin system plugs were plastic, not a rubber compound. The moral of the story, must clearly be, don't use a towbar cover in hot weather! Curious to know if anyone
else has suffered the same problem?
Comments
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New one on me, we also have 'endured' high temperatures when abroad, and with a hitch cover on but never had a problem with our 13 pin plug/socket.
Problems can/do occur with 13 pin sockets regarding alignment, and it is precise. Sometimes an alignment tool is used by people where difficulty is experienced with the 'tab' being slightly out.
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Like Dave, I have never come across this problem in many years of caravanning in warm climate ( up to 40 deg!) and living in the south of France for 6 years and I use a hitch cover. I would endorse his suggestion that it might be an alignment problem. I have one of those little green adjustment tools which reset the adjustment on the 13 pin plug quite easily. You can get them for a few pounds in any caravan accessory shop.
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I used to have this problem with the Vanmaster, nothing to do with temperature. The inner and outer parts of the plug became slightly misaligned and need a firm twist to get them lined up. I marked both sections with an indelible marker when they were in
the right spot and thereafter just checked that my marks were in line before trying to put the plug in the socket.0 -
Agree about the alignment tool. After witnessing some people struggling to connect up the first thing I did when when swopping over to a 13pin socket was to buy an alignment tool. I havn't had to use it but it is there if I need it, and to help others too.
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Have twice had to use the alignment tool. Once last Xmas when it was very cold, and saturday morning when it was also very cold.
When we collected the caravan, out friends who towed it home from the dealers said about the 13 pin plug alignment tool and yo get one. In the plastic wallet with the manuals was an alignment tool. Until first use it was kept in the front overhead locker
with the manuals. It now resides in a collapsible crate in the boot of the car with all the other caravan stuff like towing mirrors, mover handle, steady blocks, AlKo wheel lock and bits, hitch lock, bang gun for steadies, remote for mover; so if it's needed
its to hand without having to search high and low when in a hurry.Seen the alignment tool on e-bay for £0.70p, or £5 in the CC office on site on Saturday.
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Last September, we had our usual cross channel trip, but this time enjoying temperatures higher, for longer than we can remember.
On moving on one morning, about 9.30am, temp already 25C, my wife was unable to plug in the caravan 13 pin connector to the car (this was our first trip abroad with a 13 pin connector, having had, earlier in the year, to consign our 21 year old Abbey Chorus
to the campsite in the sky).Thinking the problem was the angle - the front of the van was down, as also the rear of the car being only just off the deck, I pulled off the pitch onto the road. Even then we had no luck. Thinking I was going to need help, which may take time, I pulled
onto a spare pitch so the outfit was in the shade. To cut the story short, about 10 minutes later, we were able to connect successfully and have not since suffered a recurrence of the problem.Since, when we bought the van, were were given a drawbar cover as a freebie, we'd decided to use it. We can only think therefore, that the heat had built up under the cover and the rubberised material of the caravan plug had expanded.
We've never had such a problem before, despite higher temperatures, although the previous 2x7 pin system plugs were plastic, not a rubber compound. The moral of the story, must clearly be, don't use a towbar cover in hot weather! Curious to know if anyone
else has suffered the same problem?This is a very common problem as the manufacturer probably used some cheap Chinese junk. We had the same problem on our Lunar Delta TI and went to the dealer to change the plug for one that was manufactuered in Germany. No more problems.
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