Protecting towing electrics.

I've just spent a couple of hours wiring towing electrics onto my series 3. Didn't have the original wiring so I had to do it myself, solder and heatshrink. BUT, the plug end seems very open to getting water/dirt in it. The side where the wires all screw in is forward facing and looks like it will get packed with mud the first time I go through any.

I did a quick search and grease was said to be a bad idea but with no explanation. I can't find any kind of cover or anything to go over it.

Any ideas? I've had quite a lot of problems with the connections getting corroded on other cars (which I didn't wire).

The sockets we fit now are filled in with a hard silicon type substance and then they have a gasket that seals them to the mounting bracket.
Spose you could fill it with a resin.

Grease will attract grit which will act as grinding paste and chafe the cabled causing faults. The forward facing side of the connector (where the wires enter) should have come with a sealing boot that covers all the pins and forms a tight seal around the cable, I assume you have one fitted?

If you don't have the sealing boot you could always bind the whole job up with a couple of layers of self amalgamating tape. But the proper boot would be best.

Just had a look on ebay and found this rubber thing, which looks like what you guys are talking about:
Caravan trailer Rubber Gasket seal for 7Pin 12N and 12S Sockets | eBay

The socket I bought didn't come with anything like that but it looks like it would protect it pretty well. I think I'll put it on then put a heatshrink round it if I have one big enough.

Yep, that's what you want, I wouldn't bother with the heatshrink, do it once, do it right.

Im thinking of also getting a couple of these, only for when im laning, to try and keep a bit more much/water out.

timtheenchanteruk said:

Im thinking of also getting a couple of these, only for when im laning, to try and keep a bit more much/water out.

Click to expand...

And double tt spray the terminals

I relocated the towing electrics on my Disco to the rear door, was pretty easy. Have seen a couple of Defenders with the electrics on the rear near the lights..

got mine up on the Xmember, will take a pic when I get a mo...

One of the rubber gaskets should be in the post. I'm thinking about getting one of those covers too but I'm mainly worried about crud getting in the forward facing side and it won't help that.

Maybe they're not usually too bad but I just have memories of them corroding and having loose connections all the time.

Once you've successfully sealed the wiring side of the plug, the only other minor problem is keeping the contacts in good condition.

There is a little cleaner tool available which can be used before you hitch up the caravan to make sure the pins are clean.

You'll find one on that famous auction site: 12n pin cleaner

They are a ****e design really, no way are they waterproof.

Also I've had quite a few bad connections on new trailer plugs where the insulation hasn't been cut off before the terminal screws are tightened.

not thought about the sillycone, might give that A go seeing as I know mine are all currently fine and dandy.
I moved mine up here for a few reasons, 1. to reduce the chance of them getting full of crap, 2, to stop me ripping them off when out laning, and 3, lets me take off the drop plate altogether for laning.

i have cut a square hole in the rear discovery bumper welded a peace of c channel to the under side of the bumper an screwed the socket to it then when im out getting muddy i have a plate that gos over the top to stop the crud getting in

Twizzle

I moved put mine on the back of the tub, beside the fog light. It seems to have reduced the ammount of crap that gets into it.

A large piece of rubber mounted on the inner side of the wheel arch stops the back of the socket getting covered also.