Towing adapter plug

magicool
magicool Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited January 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

There are two plug sockets on my tow bar.  We have a trailer that has to have an adapter thing put in the left socket on the tow bar.  I can see that there is a square locating bit on the adapter and I can easily align it to the tow bar socket but for the
life of me I cannot push it in enough to then be able to turn it so it locks in.  Any suggestions would be gratefully received - failing which, its going to get launched!! x x

Comments

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #2

    Is there only one lead and plug on the trailer?

    PS. A 7 pin plug?

  • Bullfrog Boy
    Bullfrog Boy Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2016 #3

    It could be that the central inner part of the plug (with all the pins) is not properly aligned and the pins therfore will not locate in the socket. The inner part of the plug moves independently of the outer part and with a bit of care it is possible to
    cause them to move back in line so that it all mates up. 

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #4

    You need to reset the plug from your caravan. It can be done quite easily with a resetting tool (usually green for some reason and about £5). It can probably be done without but as I’ve never needed to, I cannot explain how.

  • magicool
    magicool Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited January 2016 #5

    EJB986 - yes, just the one plug from trailer.

    I think Bullfrog Boy may be on to something.  I will look further and see if this is the issue.  Thank you x

  • PrestonDave
    PrestonDave Forum Participant Posts: 67
    edited January 2016 #6

    If the socket on the tow bar is a 13 pin one and the trailer plug is 7 pin then the adaptor has to be fitted to the socket first and then the plug fitted. you cannot put the adaptor on the piug and then plug it onto the car, or thats how mine works.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #7

    There are 12N & 12S plugs & sockets (both confusingly only have 7 connections in them) and 13 pin plugs & sockets. Your original post doesn't make it clear (to me at least) what you have on either your car or caravan

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

     ... you cannot put the adaptor on the plug and then plug it onto the car, or thats how mine works.

    Mine's the same

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,672 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited January 2016 #9

    There are 12N & 12S plugs & sockets (both confusingly only have 7 connections in them) and 13 pin plugs & sockets. Your original post doesn't make it clear (to me at least) what you have on either your car or caravan

    I would agree, if there are 2 sockets on the car, it must be 12S and 12N, but then, why would you need an adapter for a trailer with only one plug?

  • magicool
    magicool Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited January 2016 #10

    There are 12N & 12S plugs & sockets (both confusingly only have 7 connections in them) and 13 pin plugs & sockets. Your original post doesn't make it clear (to me at least) what you have on either your car or caravan

    I would agree, if there are 2 sockets on the car, it must be 12S and 12N, but then, why would you need an adapter for a trailer with only one plug?

    Write your comments here... apparently, its an old style and new style tow bar, to accommodate old and new connectors??  I don't know anything about 12S and 12N, or which is which if I have both. 

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #11

    Hi, magicool. I have assumed that your trailer has a (new) plug with 13 pins in(?) You will have an adaptor to convert it to the (old) 7 pin type. It won’t matter whether you leave the adaptor on the end of your trailer wire or in your car socket (the black, 7N one) but you’re having difficulty getting the trailer plug to mate with the adaptor(?)

    If I’m right, try fitting the adaptor to the trailer plug first. If it won’t go, you need to reset it as I suggested above. Once attached, I’d leave the adaptor on the trailer wire. If I’ve mis-understood, I apologise and you’ll need to explain again.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #12

    There are 12N & 12S plugs & sockets (both confusingly only have 7 connections in them) and 13 pin plugs & sockets. Your original post doesn't make it clear (to me at least) what you have on either your car or caravan

    I would agree, if there are 2 sockets on the car, it must be 12S and 12N, but then, why would you need an adapter for a trailer with only one plug?

    Write your comments here... apparently, its an old style and new style tow bar, to accommodate old and new connectors??  I don't know anything about 12S and 12N, or which is which if I have both. 

    count the connections inside ....... 12N & 12S as above have 7 pins ....13 pin have errrr 13 Innocent

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited January 2016 #13

    The 12N is usually black and the 12S is usually grey coloured. This is the old system. The new system is larger with 13 pins. Perhaps you can clarify which you have and where.

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