BOOK YOUR TOWBAR FITTING TODAY : 0121 561 3351
Think Towbars?
Think Towcraft!
A towbar and its associated electrics are, almost certainly, the most important, safety critical accessories, that can be installed on your vehicle.
Towcraft specialise in the installation of towbars and associated towing electrics, are main agents for most proprietary towbar manufacturers and have over 100 years combined experience in the industry.
We have been featured in industry publications like the Caravan Club Magazine, Caravan & Camping Magazine, Which? Caravan Magazine and Porter Workshop Manuals.
DIY kits are also available.
If you need a towbar give us a call to arrange your installation on 0121 561 3351 or click the link below to get a quote.
Approved Distributors
Towcraft Ltd are main distributors and approved installers for Tow-Trust, Oris and Brink towbars (other manufacturers are available). In 2018 we were the first Towbar Centre in the West Midlands area to be awarded the Witter/Westfalia Approved Service Centre accolade. The accolade was awarded to us with a presentation on the 17th May 2018. To Achieve 'Approved Service Centre' status an Installation Centre must meet a very strict standard set by Witter/Westfalia and possess all of the specialist tools required to install a towbar and associated towing equipment.
Towbars
We install a wide range of towbars from various manufacturers and in different styles which can be dependant not only on your personal preferences but also ensuring the towbar is compatible with your vehicle.
If you are in doubt as to which type of towbar to have installed we are happy to consult with you impartially, and provide advice on the most suitable type.
Towbar installations are carried out in purpose designed workshops at our premises in Rowley Regis.
All installations are carried out by ourselves, and we do not sub-contract.
Installations can take between 2 and 6 hours to complete. The installation time depends on the vehicle make/model and electrical system required.
Please note that we do not offer a mobile fitting service, we feel that any work undertaken should only be carried out in a suitably equipped workshop. This is due to the complexity of modern vehicles and their associated electrical systems.
Towbar installations are available Monday - Friday by appointment.
Towbar Types
Flange Ball
UK standard type fitment for many years
Towball is bolted to the towbar flange plate with two bolts
Can be used with accessories such as bumper protectors and towsteps
AL-KO towballs, universal couplings or towing jaws can generally be used with the flange ball towbar
Can be used with most cycle carriers
Fixed Swan Neck
Towball is part of the towbar neck
Neater appearance than flange type towbar
Can be used with AL-KO type stabilisers
Can be used with clamp on the ball type cycle carriers
Less likely to trigger parking sensors than flange type
Horizontal Detachable Swan Neck
Towball is part of the towbar neck
Neck removes when not in use
Keeps rear of vehicle clear
Can be used with AL-KO type stabilisers
Can be used with clamp on the ball type cycle carriers
Does not interfere with parking sensors when detached
Vertical Detachable Swan Neck
Towball is part of the towbar neck
Neck removes when not in use
Keeps rear of vehicle clear
Can be used with AL-KO type stabilisers
Can be used with clamp on the ball type cycle carriers
Does not interfere with parking sensors when detached
Towing Electrics
If you are towing a trailer, caravan, trailer tent, folding camper, using a cycle carrier or a towbar mounted cargo box, you will require electrics installed on your towing vehicle to operate compulsory road lighting functions on the attached unit. You may also additionally require the operation of internal 12v equipment (such as fridge or battery charging) and activation of ATC stability systems, where these features are installed or available.
To accomplish this there are fundamentally 4 different types of towing electric sockets used in the UK:
12n electrics, also referred to as 7 pin or single socket.
This system is used to operate the basic road lighting functions on caravans (pre 2010), a large range of trailers and some cycle carriers.
The pin functions comprise:
- Left hand indicator
- Fog light
- Earth
- Right hand indicator
- Right hand side lights
- Brake lights
- Left hand side lights
12s electrics, also referred to as auxilliary electrics.
This system operates the caravan's 12v internal functions on pre 2010 caravans while towing and also caravan reverse lights.
The pin functions comprise:
- Reverse lights
- Switched supply for battery charging (pre 2000 caravans)
- Earth
- Permanent live 12v supply
- Switched supply for fridge
- Earth
13 pin (8 pin) road lighting electrics.
This system operates the basic road lighting functions on 13pin systems used on some trailers and cycle carriers.
The pin functions comprise:
- Left hand indicator
- Fog lights
- Earth
- Right hand indicator
- Right hand side lights
- Brake lights
- Left hand side lights
- Reverse lights
Full function (fully wired) 13 pin electrics.
This system is used for road lighting functions and the operation of auxiliary 12v supplies on caravans. Some trailer tents may also use this system.
The pin functions comprise of:
- Left hand indicator
- Fog lights
- Earth
- Right hand indicator
- Right hand side lights
- Brake lights
- Left hand side lights
- Reverse lights
- Permanent live 12v supply
- Switched supply for fridge
- Earth
Once the decision has been made as to which type of socket is required the next process is the connection and integration of the towing electrics to the vehicle.
This can be accomplished in two different ways by using either vehicle specific (dedicated) wiring or a universal wiring systems.
Vehicle Specific (Dedicated) Electrics:
Advances in automotive electronics have meant the introduction of numerous comfort and safety functions into motor vehicles. In many cases not only have the vehicle manufacturers designed their vehicles to detect a trailer or caravan but to also change the way these systems operate and how the vehicle functions when towing.
These changes may include:
ESP becoming 'TSP' to help correct trailer 'snaking'
Brake electronics
Suspension systems
Engine electronics
Parking aids
Engine cooling systems
Cruise Control/Active Cruise Control
Lane change assistant
Side Scan
Universal electrics:
Universal wiring kits are available in 7pin (12N), 7pin (12S), or 13pin configurations. They can connect either directly or via a 'bypass relay' to the vehicles wiring harness. Trailer indicator warning is usually achieved by means of an audible unit. Universal electrics will power all trailer / caravan road lighting and optionally caravan 12V internal equipment but will not activate any towing related features on the towing vehicle. Universal electrics are usually cheaper than a vehicle specific wiring system. Universal electrics are not compatible with all vehicles.
Additional Information:
Vehicle specific (dedicated) wiring kits have been designed, where possible, to replicate as closely as practicable, the vehicle manufacturers systems.
Vehicle specific towing electrics are only available in 12n (7pin) or 13pin* configurations.
Trailer indicator warning is usually accomplished by utilising the vehicle manufacturer's inbuilt warning system or an audible tone if an indicator fails.
If you have a 13pin system installed on your vehicle but need to tow a trailer tent/caravan with twin electrics (12n/12s) this can be accomplished using an adaptor lead. *
The vehicle may also require coding with dedicated diagnostic tools to activate towing features. **
Towcraft carry out the necessary coding to most vehicle's during the installation process.
* may not be fully compatible with pre 2000 caravans.
**only with vehicle specific wiring kits.
To view our range of towing electrics, towing accessories & lighting adaptors please click below for our
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Visit Us in Store
Towcraft Ltd,
20 Birmingham Road,
Blackheath,
Rowley Regis,
West Midlands,
B65 9BL.
Mon - Fri : 8:30 - 17:30
Saturday : 8:30 - 12:00
Sunday : Closed
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Towcraft Ltd is registered as a limited company in England and Wales under company number 03798502.
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