Towbar Electrics

[Guest Variable Buzzard]

Hi everyone - I'm new to the forum so I hope this question doesn't sound too stupid. I've just bought a Berlingo and know almost nothing about it.

 

I want to fit a towbar to it: it is a 2004 Multispace. Various internet sellers have the towbars for about £70 or so, and this includes what they describe as a "single electrics" kit.

 

They also say you need a bypass relay (or sometimes that you don't!).

 

Some of the websites mention something they describe as a "vehicle specific electrical kit", which costs in excess of £200, though I have to say I couldn't find one listed for the Berlingo.

 

I won't be fitting the towbar myself: there's a friendly garage will do this. But I don't want to order the towbar and then find there's a whopping extra charge for the electrics. Will the kit supplied with the towbar ("single electrics") be enough? Or is something else needed (besides the bypass relay)?

 

I'd be very grateful for advice.

[Guest Chris Eccles]

Hi VB

 

Not certain about a Multispace, but all the electrics for a trailer socket

can be picked up very easily from the plugs on the back of the light pods

on a Berlingo van.

 

Just take neat splices off the wiring for TAIL / STOP / INDICATOR / REVERSE

and lead the wiring down to a 7-pin standard caravan/trailer socket which your

garage guy can do for you. I did all mine and tucked the multi-core cable

neatly below the van sub-floor.

 

No need for any fancy French £200 con-trick !

 

 

Chris

[kfk]

Hi VB

 

Not certain about a Multispace, but all the electrics for a trailer socket

can be picked up very easily from the plugs on the back of the light pods

on a Berlingo van.

 

Just take neat splices off the wiring for TAIL / STOP / INDICATOR / REVERSE

and lead the wiring down to a 7-pin standard caravan/trailer socket which your

garage guy can do for you. I did all mine and tucked the multi-core cable

neatly below the van sub-floor.

 

No need for any fancy French £200 con-trick !

 

 

Chris

 

I wouldnt recommend wiring the caravan socket to the rear lights without the use of a smart relay. the load of the caravan lights will be passing through the BSI and is likely to cause it to fail.

[Johndouglas]

 

I want to fit a towbar to it:

 

Depends what you want to tow. If it's just a trailer then a single socket is what you need. If you're pulling a caravan you'll need 12S in addition to the 12N. On cars that are multiplexed it's not enough just to pick up the wiring from the rear road lights. Better to put them through a Smart7 relay. It won't add much to the overall cost. If you need the 12S for caravan towing, then there's another relay needed to control battery charging and fridge supply.