Twisted 13 pin plug

catherinef
catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
edited March 2016 in Caravans #1

Went to collect the caravan from storage, all was going very well until we came to hook up the car to the caravan.  Try as he might, hubby couldn't connect the 2 together.  Although it's a new car, he had been up to the storage site yesterday and had no
issues at all hooking up 

It's been suggested that the outer ring of the caravan plug may have twisted and we may need a reset tool to fix it.

Has anyone had this issue?  We are fast running out of time before we are due to go away and at the moment will probably have to cancel.

Comments

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #2

    It probably is out of alignment, the only way it could have happened is it was not turned the full 90 degrees before unhitching the last time.

    If you do not have a green alignment tool then its a simple case of using a screwdriver to prise the two 'lugs' visible on the sides, the plug will then come apart, then you will see two arrows that need to be aligned and snap it back together.

    Sorry the explanation may not be clear but its easier to understand as you are doing it, 5 minute job. Happy

    EDIT: watch this video <HERE>

  • Flappa30
    Flappa30 Forum Participant Posts: 33
    edited March 2016 #3

    Good to know. Thanks DaveFL2.

  • bassett1
    bassett1 Forum Participant Posts: 40
    edited March 2016 #4

    hi as one post said just go to any caravan dealer and buy that little green alignment tool just turn it and of you go worth its wait in gold bassett.

  • Dave
    Dave Forum Participant Posts: 141
    First Comment
    edited March 2016 #5

    I just hold onto the cable so that the plug centre is stationary and turn the outer body to the correct position. Never had any problems.

    Dave

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #6

    We are fast running out of time before we are due to go away and at the moment will probably have to cancel.

    Maybe it wasn't such a catastrophe after all Undecided

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited March 2016 #7

    Today couldn't have gone more differently to yesterday. Went to collect the reset tool from the dealer.  They did say we should have received the little blue cap when we took delivery of the van last April.  Thankfully the tool worked, caravan now re-located to it's new storage area which is an awful lot closer to home, so when things go wrong in future, we are only 5  minutes away not an hour.

    Was also the 1st time we'd towed with the new car, that was a success and a hell of a lot easier than the Defender.  No sliced fingers either and I've now just got to remove the residue of the spillage on the upholstery that happened yesterday too.  

    I am however calling it a day today before my luck runs out :) DaveFL2 thank you for your post yesterday.

     

     

     

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited March 2016 #8

    DaveFL2, Thanks for the link to the short video, very useful to know, and the film clip makes it very clear, not easy to put into words. It must be a common problem as the video has had more than 30,700 views

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,694 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited March 2016 #9

    hi as one post said just go to any caravan dealer and buy that little green alignment tool just turn it and of you go worth its wait in gold bassett.

    Our dealer gave us one when we picked up our new van last year and advised me
    always     to use it to store the plug in when not in use so as to avoid damaging the pins which he saw as being much more flimsy and prone to damage (from their experience) than the previous 6 pin plugs.

  • MrGarval
    MrGarval Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited March 2016 #10

    I agree with other posts, just get an alignment tool, they are realy worthwhile.

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited March 2016 #11

    I agree with other posts, just get an alignment tool, they are realy worthwhile.

    Write your comments here...CatherineF   £1.94 at Towsure. Happy

  • papgeno
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #12

    When we upgraded our van and therefore had the 13 pin plug I had the same problem with connecting the thing. My dealer fitted a new plug which has a movable collar which engages with the socket on the car. Now the pug pins never get out of alignment it's
    only the collar which twists. Good job too because the mover works using the 13 pin plug so there are twice the number of connections to do.

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited March 2016 #13

    I agree with other posts, just get an alignment tool, they are realy worthwhile.

    Write your comments here...CatherineF   £1.94 at Towsure. Happy

    Or free when your dealer know he has a very cross customer who had a new van on order from them :)

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #14

    When we upgraded our van and therefore had the 13 pin plug I had the same problem with connecting the thing. My dealer fitted a new plug which has a movable collar which engages with the socket on the car. Now the pug pins never get out of alignment it's
    only the collar which twists. ....

    They ALL have a collar that twists 

  • papgeno
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #15

    Yes but this one is a different fitting to the original one. The original one you pluggeld in and twisted the whole plug, the new one you plug in and only twist the loose collar.

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #16

    We had this happen at Xmas. As the socket is part of the towbar casting I was perplexed. My wife said our friends told her about a blue plastic thing in the bag of bits is required.

    Put alignment tool in socket, turned it, job done.

    Every day is a school day

Categories