Plug fitment to tow bar.

Because I mainly need the rear clearance, I normally remove my tow bar. However about 4 times a year I need to tow my boat around. When I took the tow bar off I cut the electrics. Mainly because the socket was in a poor state. Ive bought a new socket and I am going to refit the tow bar and electrics this week.

Does anyone have a bright idea on how I can make the electrics so they can be unplugged and plugged in at will. As apposed to re-wiring the whole thing each time.

Thanks !

You could use one of these with one these and one of these to keep the water out when it's not plugged in.

The cable will be a tight fit so it takes a bit of patience to get it all in place and connected up but it does work. They're not the cheapest connectors in the world but they are well made. You can buy stuff from Farnell without needing an account, just ring their sales number, tell them the order codes and give them your credit card details.

I use a removable towbar. Made up a snatch ring for towing out of mud ...



Bought off ebay for £45 ish, IIRC ...

(edit) Looks like the picture didn't work, so I'll attach it.

Thank you very much for that ! That conector was exactly what I was wanting to go for, (I just couldn't find the right thing).

However having seen the setup that Paul D has gone for I think I will go down that road. If the elecrics are left on the bumper, ill never have to disconect the cable anyway.

I cant seem to see a removable towbar on EBay at the moment that will fit the bill. I've seen the ones that are integral to fuel tank protection, but they are really expensive.

Paul D, Have you got any other pics of your set up, it looks really smart and exactly what I need ! Does it end up about the same height / position as the origonal ? Does it use the same fixing points ? How long is the actual tow ball piece ? I guess, pretty long ? I assume this set-up also affords some kind of protection to the fuel tank too ?.

Thanks very much for the ideas guys. Inspired !

I'll get the tow plate fitted tomoorrow and take some pics for you. Only takes a minute, but it's dark, cold, wet and windy so I'm staying in tonight.

Yes, it does provide some protection to the tank, not as good as a full undertray, but my nephew's working on that. One of the reasons that I went for one like this was (of course cheap on ebay) I have three 'normal' ones that have all had bent stay bars and one twisted towplate from off-roading. If this one bends, then the chassis also bent ...

I believe it's a copy of the one Scorpion Racing copied ... uke:

That would be really useful. I cant find one on the Bay at the moment, but ill keep my eye out. Could possibly make my own configuration under the car, but I will need a long ball hitch I think ?

Pictures would be really useful, thanks for all your help !

I found I don't need a longer ball, just used a small spacer. I also have a pin/ball towball that is longer too. The drop is pretty good, our standard caravan sits dead level with the standard towball, as does the trailers I have. The Allen head bolt on top is to tighten the towplate onto the location pin, which is necessary, we found, otherwise it moves about a bit and can be noisy. I made up a towshackle for when we're off-roading, standard H/D box section and a 12mm dia bar rounded and welded up. Works well and is as secure as anywhere else. The under view is to show that there is a little tank protection, but not much. You can also see where they expect you to fit the trailer socket, but I've siliconed every hole off so the box doesn't fill with water/****e.

The trailer socket is standard fit, I just drilled the lower half of the bumper and bolted it on, then bent it to suit. It's not moved since as it's so well out of the way but still very easily accessible for the trailer/caravan plug ..

I'm extremely happy with it, easy to change, remove the pin (I use a padlock) that holds the main pin, and remove, swap fittings, put the pins/padlock bak, job done. IMHO it looks good, is well out of the way and doesn't restrict any off-roading, unlike the standard towbar fittings I've used before.

[edit] Just edited to add a picture showing the component parts off.

Hi,

My 300 has a plug that looks standard where this cable joins the main loom inside - just below the OSR light. The plug is small enough to go back out through the floor.

So, you may already have it

That looks ideal. I see how it all works now. The drop plate gives you the required height and distance. That is definately exactly what I need. Ill have to kepp my eye on EBay. Or if one doesnt come up soon I may try and make one.

Many thanks for all your help. This is definately a much better solution than I was going to adopt.

:rofl:

:amen:

Glad to help.

TBH, it looks so relatively easy to do and good when fitted that we're (nephew and I) looking at making some more and selling them. He's a welder/fabricator by trade and I'm an angineer.

Won't happen for a few months though .. so don't wait for one, but we're definitely going to be doing something along these lines, with a few improvements brought about by my usage of it and a couple of ideas/wish-list I'd had or thought about since fitting it.

OK. Well now my boat is out of the water, serviced and sitting on the drive untill April. Im in no rush untill then. So I'm going to keep my eye on the Bay. If you decide to fabricate something in the meantime, I would be more than happy to buy one off you after all the help you have given me.

So....... keep me informed with progress, if any.

Thanks again. Paul.

Paul.....

Thanks for the pictures, it answers a few questions about making something like this up myself. I didn't want to put raised springs on my disco, due to the tow bar height causing problems when towing, but with this solution, I can change the springs and the bar can go as low as it needs to. I think a visit to the local steel supplier is in order.

Paul D said:

Glad to help.

TBH, it looks so relatively easy to do and good when fitted that we're (nephew and I) looking at making some more and selling them. He's a welder/fabricator by trade and I'm an angineer.

Won't happen for a few months though .. so don't wait for one, but we're definitely going to be doing something along these lines, with a few improvements brought about by my usage of it and a couple of ideas/wish-list I'd had or thought about since fitting it.

Click to expand...

Paul, you might already be aware of this so apologies if I'm teaching grandma to suck eggs!

For vehicles registered after August '98 any tow bar that is fitted has to conform to some European standard or other that I can't remember the number of. Before that date you can fit what you like. So if you start selling towbars, as long as they are for Tdi disco's you'll have no trouble, just don't make one for a TD5.

Sparks said:

Paul, you might already be aware of this so apologies if I'm teaching grandma to suck eggs!

For vehicles registered after August '98 any tow bar that is fitted has to conform to some European standard or other that I can't remember the number of. Before that date you can fit what you like. So if you start selling towbars, as long as they are for Tdi disco's you'll have no trouble, just don't make one for a TD5.

Click to expand...

Fair points well made ... and certainly not something we'd seriously thought about, or thought would apply to us, so many thanks ...

Must say I'd heard of the legislation (Caravan Club members) but Hadn't thought of it in this context. Bloody nanny state we live in.

I still think there'd be a niche market for a well-made item that's had some 'real-life' abuse during it's development, so I reckon we'll still do it, bearing in mind the constraints of the law. Even if all we do is improve mine and make a few 'for mates' etc, it'll still be a good, fun project.

Watch, as they say, this space come the new year ...

suggest you read this.

In particular, para 2 - "Does EC94/20 apply to all towbars?
All new light passenger vehicles (not commercial vehicles) which have a European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EWVTA) Certificate of conformity must adhere to the regulations. the exceptions are:- Vans/Goods vehicles, Chassis cabs, tippers, pick up trucks, motor homes, any motorcycle, non road use vehicles and some imports (check with the DVLA)."

and .... " The towbar must attach to the vehicle at the specified mounting points nominated by the vehicle manufacturer."

Will do, thanks. Obviously we need to do a little more research into this ...

The towbar fitment does attach where the standard towing bracket fitments are, one on each chassis rail and two on the rear cross member, which are angled.