Dedicated wiring and warranties.

Settermum
Settermum Forum Participant Posts: 127
First Comment
edited February 2017 in Towcars & Towing #1

We have changed our car just yesterday and it's under a year old, so has warranty left on it. What do we need to know about having a tobar fitted which will not affect the warranty. I seem to remember seeing something about dedicated wiring being the thing to ask for. Any advice welcome. Thanks.

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #2

    If you got it from a dealer of the make check with them, but any reputable tow bar fitting company should be able to do the work without any problems with the warranty,in fact if you did buy it from a dealer they probably farm out that sort of work anyway and put on their cut as well

  • pagan8c
    pagan8c Forum Participant Posts: 91
    edited February 2017 #3

    I always have mine fitted by the main dealer as it is then covered by the car warranty as well. Also with a lot of the newer cars have to have the software upgraded to cater for the fitting of the Towbar. A lot of the aftermarket towbar fitters are usually covered by some sort of insurance in the event of problems caused by any towbars they fit. Of course if the dealer does farm it out to other  people to fit the bar the dealer is still responsible as they are the persons supplying the bar to you so you are still covered by the dealer.

  • DanR
    DanR Forum Participant Posts: 39
    First Comment
    edited February 2017 #4

    I had mine fitted by the Dealer - it was cheaper than a independent local fitter.  When talking to the independent fitter, he advised that the electrics may not disarm the rear parking sensors.  No problem with the genuine ones.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #5

    Mine was arranged by the dealer but fitted at the local Towsure!  Make sure you get vehicle specific electrics fitted or some of your goodies may not work properly!

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #6

    Use a dedicated loom and not a 'Smart relay', any good towbar manufacturer will supply the correct CANBUS loom to satisfy warranty. If a Smart relay or 'Scotchloks' are used and your car develops an electrical fault, it will be too easy for it to be blamed on a sub standard installation.

    Plus the correct loom will take advantage of software/hardware provided by the cars ECU when towing. Mine was fitted through the dealer at the local towbar outlet before having the car.

  • MDD10
    MDD10 Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited February 2017 #7

    You must use the vehicle specific wiring (VSK) to satisfy the manufacturers warranty...and also be reassured that it will not fry the ECU.  Just replaced my car and that was the advice from Ford.  There is another thread somewhere on this

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #8

    Basically the warranty should not be affected unless the instalation affected or caused the problem claimed for in which case you have a claim against the fitter. If they try to say that a fault unconnected by the warranty invalidated it refer then to the Consumer Protection Act which then makes the dealer liable and they will not want that.

    If the garage farms the fitting, out which many do, your contract is with the garage and they have to deal with it but you could also claim against the fitter so double cover there.

  • Settermum
    Settermum Forum Participant Posts: 127
    First Comment
    edited February 2017 #9

    Thanks everyone. I have been in touch with the Dealership and been advised to ensure that the modules are upgraded. Other than that there should be no problem invalidating warranty. So the job is being done on Friday. Ta muchly 

  • MDD10
    MDD10 Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited February 2017 #10

    Wildwood is correct but if you have a fault on the ECU, do you really want to be arguing the toss as to whether it is the fault of the towbar fitter.  If you don't use a VSK they have to manually crimp wiring into the circuits, which (I am advised) are a lot more sensitive than 5-10 Years ago and are more susceptible to damage from surges.  I have had towbars fitted to two new cars in the last few years and the garage was pretty adamant about using the VSK and wanted a disclaimer from me if not that I had been advised.  Ford dealer gave the same advice and they were not fitting it  For the cost of £100 extra why risk it as a new ECU is thousands

     

    apart from that, if the VSK,is used it does all,the extra stuff like adjusting the systems for towing such as switching off the rear reversing sensors

  • Lansdorf
    Lansdorf Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited July 2017 #11

    You did not say what make of car you now have.  Where ever you go....especially if a main dealer, make sure that you stipulate that you want the full caravan electrics. Preferably get it in writing. Some of the German manufacturers, BMW for sure, only supply their tow bar with basic  7 pin wiring on the 13 pin plug. They will supply a wiring kit to make it into full 13 pin spec at a cost of £650. (six fifty). I'm told, but cannot confirm, that other German makes have the same spec though the conversion price may be less eye watering.  Over the years I have been surprised at the lack of knowledge re caravan requirements by some experienced and reputable tow bar fitters. Ok they may well sort it out for you eventually but best if you do not assume anything. Make sure they know what you want.

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