Towing, which socket to use?

[DiscoSaffa]

Hi All

The time has come for me to tow my first load with the D3……. My question is a simple one, but which of the two trailer sockets at the hitch do I use to connect the lights? The user manual (yes I read it for once) is suitably vague on this matter, simply saying something along the lines of, it is set up to comply with local conditions and regulations…….

So there is the white socket on the left, and the black on the right, which is the correct one, or do they serve different purposes….. forgive what may be a silly question, but the set up is simpler in South Africa :confused: ….. also the socket is different to most that I have seen on Australian trailers….. is there an adapter I need to get my hands on?

As an aside, what size (rating) D-shackles do I need for the safety chains?

Thanks in advance

B

[gghaggis]

I've just wired up my caravan for towing with the D3, so maybe I can help.

Firstly, if you don't need to send power to the trailer (via main or aux battery), then just use the black socket (on the right, looking at the back of the vehicle). Most car accessories shops will sell you an adapter to fit your trailer plug - Repco definitely do!

If you need to run power to the trailer, things get a little more complicated. Essentially you need to use both sockets on the D3 and make a "Y" loom to attach to your trailer's plug. But to help here, I'd need to know what type of plug you have on the trailer, and how it's wired - eg there are varying standards across Australia for the 12pin plugs that are used on the larger caravans now being made.

Cheers,

Gordon

[DiscoSaffa]

Thanks Gordon

At this stage just a hire trailer to move some furniture, so will probably need the adaptor, and black socket it is.....

B

[djhampson]

On my D3 and Dad's RRS we've set up the black plug for lights and the brake controller line so pretty much any trailer can be run off that plug via an adapter.

The white plug is wired to the 2nd battery via Traxide's kit for charging the batteries in the caravan or boat. We've not bothered with making a Y cable, just have two cables coming from either side of the trailer hitch.

I've also made up a 7 pin <-> cig lighter plug for running lights, etc while I'm camping. Saves having to have a cable run thru a door or window.

[DiscoSaffa]

On my D3 and Dad's RRS we've set up the black plug for lights and the brake controller line so pretty much any trailer can be run off that plug via an adapter.

So is it not already set up?

[djhampson]

The lights are setup but we wirred in the brake controller manually.

Not sure if that was entirely necessary but thats the way we did it.

Brake lights, indicators etc work from the factory.

[Blknight.aus]

each shackle should be rated to take the entire GVM of the trailer.

if you have a 2T trailer you use 2T shackles.

dont forget to cross the chains UNDER the hitch. it does 2 things. 1 as the trailer turns it keeps the chainss at about the same length. 2. It makes a cradle under the hitch so when the hitch drops off the cradle catches it before it hits the ground.

[AnD3rew]

Thanks Gordon

At this stage just a hire trailer to move some furniture, so will probably need the adaptor, and black socket it is.....

B

Most trailers here are either a 7pin round, or flat plug, the D3 comes with the 7pin round, but mine was delivered with an adaptor to take it to the flat plug have you checked to see if you already have the adaptor?

Also most of the hire places also have adaptors, give them a call and ask them.

Oh and as the others have said, for most trialer you just use the black plug, the white one is for power and most trailers do not require this.

[DiscoSaffa]

Most trailers here are either a 7pin round, or flat plug, the D3 comes with the 7pin round, but mine was delivered with an adaptor to take it to the flat plug have you checked to see if you already have the adaptor?

Will have a look in the nook where the tow hitch was hidden..... failing that they can't be that expensive...... :confused:

[AnD3rew]

Will have a look in the nook where the tow hitch was hidden..... failing that they can't be that expensive...... :confused:

They are not very expensive and you can get them from supercheap, or repco and lots of other places. But do check with the hire place most of them have adaptors to loan you

[Phil TDV6]

The right hand socket (should be black) has been wired for Oz. The white socket is apparently a European thing. I had the white socket removed and replaced it with an Anderson Plug and heavy cable from the second battery to run power for the caravan battery. Done by the local auto elec used by the local dealer. Both he and I were concerned at the relatively thin power cables running to the white plug (there were two from memory) and the very thin pins in the loom connectors back inside the car for this socket. the current set up has been working a treat since new over three years ago.

[DiscoSaffa]

Just to wrap this thread, and another

Tow Ball and Tongue (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-zone/95953-tow-ball-tongue.html?highlight=tow+ball+tongue)

I had my first D3 towing experience over the weekend, with a trailer far bigger than anticipated (two ton box trailer). By far the heaviest trailer I have ever towed. All went off without a hitch, so thanks to all for the advice!!

Despite the nay sayers out there, the V6 did a good job of pulling it too!

[rlazar]

I have a follow-up to this thread. Ive recently purchased a RRS, I also have 2 plugs at the back. I have a boat with Hydrastar braking system. Ive purchased a P3 from Tekonsha which has been already installed. However, the dealer service is saying that they are going to take power from the white plug and then create a harness to combine this power with the trailer plug, which includes the P3 signal. Is this the only way of doing it?