Towbar electrics and the MOT

Trewey · Feb 20, 2011

From next January, towbar electrics will be tested as part of the MOT. The tester will have a gizmo that plugs into the socket and checks that everything works as it should.

Also, those vehicles fitted with LPG will have a leak test on the gas system as part of the MOT.

nicedayforit · Feb 20, 2011

Treworgey 90 said:
From next January, towbar electrics will be tested as part of the MOT. The tester will have a gizmo that plugs into the socket and checks that everything works as it should.

Also, those vehicles fitted with LPG will have a leak test on the gas system as part of the MOT.

That should do wonders for the sale of tow bar sockets

paul_c · Feb 20, 2011

Good - about time a daft anomoly has been cleared up. What was the point of testing the towbar but ignoring the electrics? I expect it will be a non-issue anyway.

Trewey · Feb 20, 2011

Like anything - if it aint fitted it can't be tested, so if you don't use your towbar, remove it.

ratty · Feb 20, 2011

Treworgey 90 said:
Like anything - if it aint fitted it can't be tested, so if you don't use your towbar, remove it.

I don't spose you know if the towbar will show as present or missing for the test a bit like removing rear seats due to corrosion around seatbelt mounts? I can forsee some insurance complications coming up with some vehicles if it is noted that it was missing for test and then was fitted later.

Do you know if the entire assembly has to be removed? I have a dixon and bate drop hitch. I was just wondering if someone like myself could just remove the drop plate or would have to unbolt the whole thing from the crossmember.

I also have a twin sockets. A standard seven pin and a commercial seven pin. I wonder if they can test commercial sockets?

Trewey · Feb 20, 2011

ratty said:
I don't spose you know if the towbar will show as present or missing for the test a bit like removing rear seats due to corrosion around seatbelt mounts? I can forsee some insurance complications coming up with some vehicles if it is noted that it was missing for test and then was fitted later.

Do you know if the entire assembly has to be removed? I have a dixon and bate drop hitch. I was just wondering if someone like myself could just remove the drop plate or would have to unbolt the whole thing from the crossmember.

I also have a twin sockets. A standard seven pin and a commercial seven pin. I wonder if they can test commercial sockets?

I'd guess that only a Class 7 test would cover the commercial socket.

protactor · Feb 20, 2011

Errrm, how about you just make sure the electrics work. Not rocket science :doh:

G-man · Feb 20, 2011

protactor said:
Errrm, how about you just make sure the electrics work. Not rocket science :doh:

tis if yer name is ming

ratty · Feb 20, 2011

protactor said:
Errrm, how about you just make sure the electrics work. Not rocket science :doh:

They do. But can they/will they test my commercial socket?

dogsbody · Feb 20, 2011

So, you've got a stubborn old git who only ever tows his own trailer to take stuff to the dump.
When he connects up his trailer all the lights work correctly.
But, because he's an old git, he wired up the socket in his own fashion, or he hasn't got a standard socket, he uses a weird connector that he made himself.
But when he connects up his trailer all the lights work correctly.

It's tempting to do it just for the fight.

paul_c · Feb 20, 2011

ratty said:
They do. But can they/will they test my commercial socket?

What's the difference between a standard socket and a commercial socket?

ratty · Feb 20, 2011

paul_c said:
What's the difference between a standard socket and a commercial socket?

The socket has male pins and the plug has female pins.

Mike Whiskey · Feb 20, 2011

I'd like to see if they have a testing gizmo for my NATO 12 pin?

I also know of people who's electrics are deliberately wired 'wrong', just like all their trailers! Theory is it makes them more conspicuous if they are towed away by someone else.

MW

paul_c · Feb 20, 2011

ratty said:
The socket has male pins and the plug has female pins.

What's the reason its fitted to your car? Do you have 24V electrics too???

ratty · Feb 20, 2011

paul_c said:
What's the reason its fitted to your car? Do you have 24V electrics too???

My landy is an ex electricity board one. Many 24v trucks that use/share the same trailers as 12v vehicles have droppers on their trailer board sockets so that they are 12v. I had a dropper on both of my previous trucks for when I was towing caravans. My current one doesn't have it which is fine for when I'm towing large vans and small lorries but not so good when I have a caravan on tow.

G-man · Feb 20, 2011

with him i would say yes...anyone else i would say doubtfull

paul_c · Feb 20, 2011

Mike Whiskey said:
I'd like to see if they have a testing gizmo for my NATO 12 pin?

I also know of people who's electrics are deliberately wired 'wrong', just like all their trailers! Theory is it makes them more conspicuous if they are towed away by someone else.

MW

Same questions really, why do you have this fitted and does your car have 24V electrics?

Basically, I think they'll be limiting the test to one of the two standard connectors (either 12N or the newer 13pin jobbie) and simply ignoring any other connector(s) at the back of the car. It might be that they give a fail, or an advisory, if they can't find a connector but a towing coupling is present. But - who knows, until the regulations are published?

G-man · Feb 20, 2011

paul_c said:
Same questions really, why do you have this fitted and does your car have 24V electrics?

Basically, I think they'll be limiting the test to one of the two standard connectors (either 12N or the newer 13pin jobbie) and simply ignoring any other connector(s) at the back of the car. It might be that they give a fail, or an advisory, if they can't find a connector but a towing coupling is present. But - who knows, until the regulations are published?

i'd like to see what they would do about the tow connector i had on the back of my 109", it was a pin (same bolt spacing as a nato hook) the only 50mm towball i had was on the front

ratty · Feb 20, 2011

paul_c said:
Same questions really, why do you have this fitted and does your car have 24V electrics?

Basically, I think they'll be limiting the test to one of the two standard connectors (either 12N or the newer 13pin jobbie) and simply ignoring any other connector(s) at the back of the car. It might be that they give a fail, or an advisory, if they can't find a connector but a towing coupling is present. But - who knows, until the regulations are published?

This is exactly my point. I have 2 connectors that do the same thing. What does it matter if one doesn't work cos I still have a back-up one? How can they fail my landy if the other socket works but they are unable to test it due to THEIR lack of equipment?

ratty · Feb 20, 2011

G-man said:
with him i would say yes...anyone else i would say doubtfull

If I didn't have an ecu on my landy I would be happy to it with a permanant 24v connection. As it has a ecu I carry a spare battery, a set of jump leads with an anderson connectot and also a spare set of jump leads just in case I need to make an emergency 24v system.

Towbar electrics and the MOT

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