towbar electrics

[greeny]

I don't need it wired into the can bus. But.... AIUI, that means splicing into a few cables which is exactly what I'd like to avoid - even if someone competent is doing it on my behalf.

Why on earth don't vehicles just have a socket you plug into.

A lot do. Going to do my landrover myself. Theres a plug under the boot floor you can plug the dedicated wiring loom into. Downside is thst the car has to then be reprogrammed to tell it theres a towbar fitted. Sounds like it will have to go somewhere to have that done no doubt. But Landrover want 2300 euros to to the complete job so i will buy a third party bar and do most of it myself. Probably finish up all in about half that price. I hope.

 

[Mark-1]

The electrical management on cars so equipped cannot just be ignored. I’ve fairly recently helped do a 2018 California VW. The kit came with CANBus connections, and the ECU needed to be programmed to allow it to work. I don’t know if your 2013 Renault needs that or not, but tyat is what could be involved. It wasn’t hard, but required the CAN tools and software.

I *think* you can avoid that by using a can bus blocker, but the trade off is you have to splice into wiring. Or maybe I've misunderstood that. Sounds like an auto electrician is not overkill for this job, after all.

 

[seeSimon]

I *think* you can avoid that by using a can bus blocker, but the trade off is you have to splice into wiring. Or maybe I've misunderstood that. Sounds like an auto electrician is not overkill for this job, after all.

The old 7 pin "splice with a Scotchlok connx" electrics are easy.

With the aid of Utoob ( to locate all the hidden fastenings), most reasonably competent DIYers can bumper off, bar on, bumper on.
The golf mk V canbus system was already slightly problematic without attempting to modify it, so I went to a pro.

The 2018 & 2021 tiguans were even more complex, what with active cruise control, auto box, 4x4 as well as the traction/stability systems similar to the Mk 5 golf.
...and the tigs were leased.

Pro fitter told me the car system calibrates various responses to allow for the trailer...I'm not sure how true that can be (eg 500kg "dump trailer" v 2500kg boat trailer)?
Supposedly rather more to it than just trailer lights...

Splicing in to a modernish canbus is how my pal killed the Seat. Beware.

Greeny. I'd fit that landrover bar, then take it to a specialist just for coding.