Towbar wiring

[GavinP]

My '68 E Class Estate has a factory fitted retractable tow bar.

Does any one know if all such MB fitted towers are fully wired for 13 pin please? I've seen some internet posts showing how one can check with a multimeter but before I go down that route I though it was worth asking on here!

Am trying to find someone locally who can check it before I need to collect a new caravan - been advised some vehicles are not connected on 2 or 3 pins.

Certainly need to ensure ATC hitch is live, plus the charger circuit and fridge circuits are both operative.

Regards

G

 

[BTB 500]

My '68 E Class Estate has a factory fitted retractable tow bar.

Does any one know if all such MB fitted towers are fully wired for 13 pin please? I've seen some internet posts showing how one can check with a multimeter but before I go down that route I though it was worth asking on here!

Am trying to find someone locally who can check it before I need to collect a new caravan - been advised some vehicles are not connected on 2 or 3 pins.

Certainly need to ensure ATC hitch is live, plus the charger circuit and fridge circuits are both operative.

Regards

G

I know that not all factory fitted 13-pin sockets have the switched and permanent connections present. I had these added to out Vito by a towbar specialist after we bought a caravan with ATC ... he commented that some MBs had them and others didn't. If they were missing on your car it shouldn't prevent you from picking up the caravan though.

 

[Grumpydriver]

My '68 E Class Estate has a factory fitted retractable tow bar.

Does any one know if all such MB fitted towers are fully wired for 13 pin please? I've seen some internet posts showing how one can check with a multimeter but before I go down that route I though it was worth asking on here!

Am trying to find someone locally who can check it before I need to collect a new caravan - been advised some vehicles are not connected on 2 or 3 pins.

Certainly need to ensure ATC hitch is live, plus the charger circuit and fridge circuits are both operative.

Regards

G

Not sure how much this is going to be of use to you but my E350 all terrain tow bar has a 3 pin connector, all of which are connected and work on the 7 pin adapter. Only use car to drag a trailer and they get full access. Never used a caravan so can’t advise specifically on charger/fridge application and have never needed to try a 13 pin. If you need any more let me know and I will wander out and check.

 

[BTB 500]

Found this picture of my factory fitted 13-pin socket - there weren't even any contacts present for pins 10 & 11 (fridge feed & earth). 9 (directly above 10) is meant to carry permanent battery voltage, but had nothing (engine running or stopped).

 

[Grumpydriver]

Not sure how much this is going to be of use to you but my E350 all terrain tow bar has a 3 pin connector, all of which are connected and work on the 7 pin adapter. Only use car to drag a trailer and they get full access. Never used a caravan so can’t advise specifically on charger/fridge application and have never needed to try a 13 pin. If you need any more let me know and I will wander out and check.

Just braved the elements and all 13 pins are working as, I think, they should. Bought the car new but had to accept the dealers spec as they weren’t taking any customer specific orders. Good luck with the caravan.

 

[GavinP]

Issue resolved as I found a brilliant auto sparks locally who checked it out whilst we waited and would not even take any money at all! All pins connected.

Cheers for your inputs.

 

[Grumpydriver]

Issue resolved as I found a brilliant auto sparks locally who checked it out whilst we waited and would not even take any money at all! All pins connected.

Cheers for your inputs.

!