Towbar buyer beware!

modelman093 · Jan 10, 2015

Was discussing the spec of a new C estate with the salesman and said that I needed a tow bar for pulling my bike trailer and was amazed to find that the £750 factory fit manually folding set up does not include any electrics .

"when ordering please discuss with your dealer any specific electrical requirements"

He said that he would have to get a price for the electrics but mentioned that on a recently ordered A class the loom was an additional £450!

Who the hell buys a tow bar with no electrics?!

Outcome is that I've found a "free stock" car in the UK of the right spec and will have an approved after market plug in bar (with electrics!) fitted for less than £500.

dozypillock · Jan 10, 2015

modelman093 said:
Was discussing the spec of a new C estate with the salesman and said that I needed a tow bar for pulling my bike trailer and was amazed to find that the £750 factory fit manually folding set up does not include any electrics .

"when ordering please discuss with your dealer any specific electrical requirements"

He said that he would have to get a price for the electrics but mentioned that on a recently ordered A class the loom was an additional £450!

Who the hell buys a tow bar with no electrics?!

Outcome is that I've found a "free stock" car in the UK of the right spec and will have an approved after market plug in bar (with electrics!) fitted for less than £500.

I had one fitted (aftermarket) to the CLK for around £460. I had the more expensive electric pack, designed to just plug in, with the car coded etc instead of the cheap one, where they scotchlock onto the loom.

Neil

prprandall51 · Jan 10, 2015

You need to find a salesman who knows what they are talking about.

The factory tow bar has standard electrics that are fine for all ordinary trailers. I *think* the comment about additional electrics is for people who want specialist wiring such as dual battery charging (for fridges and such in a caravan).

You will need a Euro 13-pin to UK 7-pin adapter, though (but it's about a tenner).

scgfull · Jan 10, 2015

Agreed with Prprandall51 , I have just ordered my car and the wiring to a 13 pin socket is included. A 13 -7 pin adaptor is extra.

easyonthegas · Feb 21, 2015

detachable bar

Thule / Brink do a detachable bar with 13 pin dedicted electrics for the W205 / S205 model for £520 fitted.
The MB dealer needs to code the new electrics to the car, but that should be part of any decent after care service.
I have just had mine fitted and the job is neat with no bumper cut needed.

easyonthegas · Feb 28, 2015

I have posted an update on W205 towbars including photos, so search for towbar and you will find the post

renault12ts · Feb 28, 2015

easyonthegas said:
I have posted an update on W205 towbars including photos, so search for towbar and you will find the post

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/new-member-introductions/177902-w205-towbars.html

Malc P · Mar 28, 2015

easyonthegas said:
Thule / Brink do a detachable bar with 13 pin dedicted electrics for the W205 / S205 model for £520 fitted.
The MB dealer needs to code the new electrics to the car, but that should be part of any decent after care service.
I have just had mine fitted and the job is neat with no bumper cut needed.

What do you mean by "needs to code the new electrics to the car"?

The Polisher · Mar 28, 2015

Don't bother!!
Overpriced, and bet it won't be right.
Buy the car, then contact PF Jones in Manchester and they will supply and fit whatever you need, its the same bar exactly as the factory fit, for about half the price.
They did my new E class, top job.

Notwen · Mar 28, 2015

Another vote for PF Jones, fitted a detachable to my W204. Great service.

easyonthegas · Mar 29, 2015

Malc P asked about dealer coding. If you have not already arranged that deal with them it will cost £99 - so about 30 minutes work.

The instructions for the dealer to follow are:
Connect computer to the car
Start program
Click "special functions"
Click "inout for retrofits or conversions"
enter your username and password
Write 550 in the upper (+) field
Accept and close the program
Start the program again
Click "controllers view"
Click "EZS" ignition
click "adfjust"
on the left side, click configuration SCN coding
Go on line and wait a few seconds
Click "SAM-rear" (Signal detection - and control module rear)
Click "adjust"
On the left side, click configuration SCN encoding
Go online and wait a few seconds
Click "SAM-front" (signal detection -and control module front)
Click "Adjust"
on the left side, click configuration SCN coding
Go online and wait a few seconds
Click "combined instrument"
Click "adjust"
on the left side, click configuration SCN encoding
Go online and wait a few seconds

that is what you will get for your £99

Druk · Mar 29, 2015

Hybrids said:
Another vote for PF Jones, fitted a detachable to my W204. Great service.

And from me, except don't allow them to sell you the Westfalia OE loom if you're thinking of towing a caravan. It's only fused to 15amp and won't support the Al-Ko ATC fitted to new or recent caravans.

Here: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/188384-s212-2015-e350-towing-electrics.html

scgfull · Apr 2, 2015

So took delivery of my new E350 and checked out the fuses to confirm what had been verbally assured to me by the salesman as I received the car.

The circuit for the ATC (Pin9/13) is fused at 20 Amps. This is great news for those buying with the factory fit towbar going forward.:bannana::bannana:

Unfortunately, the auxiliary (Fridge) circuit (Pin 10/11) is still fused at 15 Amps. :fail

I suppose that, at least it is only a short cable to the socket so voltage drop will not be so pronounced but one to watch.

Druk · Apr 2, 2015

That's great. Let's hope they've not simply swapped the 15 for a 20 to keep you quiet.

They wouldn't do a thing like that surely?

:devil:

kjb1 · Apr 21, 2015

interesting info in this thread. Impressive detail. Will be calling pf jones today, had them do a previous bmw

Driver15 · Apr 21, 2015

Ok - I have ordered a C350e with a factory towbar, Im expecting a 13pin connection and then will use my 13 to 7pin splitter to use on a caravan. (black and grey)

Can someone confirm that will be ok ?

Thanks

kjb1 · Apr 21, 2015

Ive no doubt that will be fine. 13 pin dedicated electrics via splitter is normal operation etc.

scgfull · Apr 21, 2015

RickTT said:
Ok - I have ordered a C350e with a factory towbar, Im expecting a 13pin connection and then will use my 13 to 7pin splitter to use on a caravan. (black and grey)

Can someone confirm that will be ok ?

Thanks

If mine is anything to go by - then Mercedes have updated the specification of the wiring to suit modern caravans (Albeit not necessarily for the fridge circuit). The use of a 13 pin to two 7 pins should be fine.

I personally, would consider updating the plug on the caravan to a 13pin as these are much more reliable.

Steve

Driver15 · Apr 21, 2015

scgfull said:
If mine is anything to go by - then Mercedes have updated the specification of the wiring to suit modern caravans (Albeit not necessarily for the fridge circuit). The use of a 13 pin to two 7 pins should be fine.

I personally, would consider updating the plug on the caravan to a 13pin as these are much more reliable.

Steve

Thanks -

Towbar buyer beware!

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