BOOK YOUR TOWBAR FITTING TODAY : 0121 561 3351
Approved Distributors
Towcraft Ltd are main distributors and approved installers for TowTrust & Oris 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.
Towbar Types
We install a wide range of different towbars, which can be dependant on your and the vehicles requirements. If you are in doubt as to which type of towbar to have installed on your vehicle, we are happy to consult with you impartially, and give you sound advice on the most suitable type.
The Types Of Towbars Available Are Shown Below:
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
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
- May be vertical or horizontal attachment (vehicle dependant)
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 7pin 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
13pin 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 13pin 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
Installation of Towing Electrics
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, either vehicle specific (dedicated) wiring or 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.
Visit our premises in Rowley Regis.
We carry out towbar installations in purpose designed workshops at our premises in Rowley Regis.
All installations are carried out by ourselves, and we do not sub-contract.
Installations (by appointment only) 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.
We are situated close to the motorway network and regularily have customers travel to us from areas including, Bewdley, Bridgnorth, Bromsgrove, Cannock, Cheltenham, Droitwich, Dudley, Evesham, Gloucester, Kidderminster, Litchfield, Redditch, Solihull, Stafford, Stoke, Stourbridge, Tamworth, Telford, Tewkesbury, Worcester, Wolverhampton, and even as far away as Guernsey!
Towcraft Ltd are main distributors and approved installers for the following manufacturers:
Tow-Trust Towbars Ltd are the UK's largest manufacturer of Towbars and towing accessories. The company has forged a formidable reputation for supplying the highest quality products. Tow-Trust source the best quality steel and use the latest technology for the design, testing and manufacturing processes. The Tow-Trust promise from start to finish is simple: ‘Absolute quality'.
Oris (ACPS) is one of the leading towbar manufactures in Europe supplying products to vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. Oris have over 65 years of experience and over 2000 employees in 3 factories. Vehicle manufacturers trust in the quality and innovative towing solutions from the Oris brand.
ECS Electronics are well-known as a major supplier of towbar connection systems in the European market. The brand develops and manufactures a wide range of towbar wiring kits for most types of vehicle. The OE specifications are completed in close collaboration with the automotive industry. Where required, CAN-Bus technology is integrated into all the necessary functions.
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
SHOP ONLINE
CONTACT
Towcraft Ltd is registered as a limited company in England and Wales under company number 03798502.
Copyright 2025 - Towcraft
