How to install and connect a towing?

Content

• What is a towbar and why is it needed?
• Features of using a towbar
• Installation of towbar
• Required installation elements
• The procedure for installing a traction coupling device
• Electronic towbar connection
• Wiring diagram to the outlet
• Wiring diagram
• Types of trailer sockets
• Features of 7-pin pinout
• Functionality of 13-pin unpinning

Almost every second car owner is interested in this question. It is quite important to do everything correctly, because it is unlikely that the wrong connection of the turns of the trailer will be a good solution. You don't want to have problems with other road users or traffic safety services.

What is a towbar and why is it needed?

Towbar- this is a towing device used to connect a trailer to a car, usually SUVs, crossovers and even cars are equipped with this design.

Structurally, this part consists of two parts, which are manufactured individually for each make and model of the car. The first part is a crossbar (beam) that is attached to the frame or body of the car with the help of special holes and fasteners. Accordingly, the second part is the tow ball, which is attached to the beam.

Pick up a towbar

Features of using a towbar

Installation of a towbar means a number of necessary towing works, that is, the use of a trailer. What is important for car owners with an active lifestyle. When there is a need to transport construction materials, objects that do not fit in the luggage compartment of the car. Or you just decided to live as a nomad, and why not - the horse is iron, and you can set up the tent on the trailer.

And if you have a dacha and you need to transport your mother-in-law there, and potatoes from there, then definitely buy a trailer, install a tow bar and you can enjoy life.

But don't make the mistake of using this tow hitch as a safety feature, because it's not. This towing element cannot be installed unless a trailer is being used. If an accident occurs, the destructive consequences will be greater due to the tow bar than in the case of a normal collision of bumpers.

Installation of towbar

Choose a part that is made specifically for your car make or model, otherwise the device may simply not fit and will need to be replaced or reworked (which is not recommended). The towing device is equipped with special fasteners for connecting to the car and with all the necessary installation holes.

Required installation elements:

• pit or trestle;
• actual design of the towbar;
• drill and drill bits for metal (they are not always useful, but they should be at hand);
• set of wrenches;
• screwdrivers;
• anti-corrosion treatment;
• pliers;
• soldering iron;
• than;
• insulating tape;
• shrink tube.

The procedure for installing a traction coupling device

1. To begin with, you need to drive the car to the inspection hole.
2. It is necessary to turn off the power from the mains, for this the minus terminal is disconnected from the battery.
3. Even before work, we completely free the trunk from things and upholstery.;
4. Next, remove the bumper, as it will interfere with the operation.
5. Add the necessary transverse part to the place of fastening and, if necessary, make a marking.
6. If there are no holes for connection, they must be drilled and treated with an anti-corrosion agent.
7. Further work of conditioning by tightening the coupling part, with the help of nuts, bolts and the appropriate size of keys.
8. It is still necessary to balance the load on the car frame to ensure reliable fastening. We make several holes in the middle of the luggage compartment and at the bottom, we treat it with an anti-corrosion agent. Next, we add and fix the pads for reinforcement and tighten all the bolts with a wrench.

Electronic towbar connection

For the most part, manufacturers equip towbar structures with a complete set of electricity, but sometimes you need to buy everything yourself. The package of the electronic connection includes:

• mounting plate;
• a special 7-wire or 13-wire socket (only on foreign cars);
• a set of necessary numbers;
• diagram of connection to the electrical network of the car.

Since, before starting work, the on-board network has already been de-energized by disconnecting the terminal from the battery, then you can start directly setting up the electricity. To do this, you need to connect a set of wires to the plug socket included in the kit and do everything according to the attached diagram. The outlet is bolted to the bracket and connected to the main wiring.

Electronics for trailers

Wiring diagram to the outlet

In the following steps, you need to connect the towing device to the car's electronics.

1. It is necessary to use a special hole in the bottom of the trunk, which is provided for connecting the towbar socket with wires. If you made the towing structure yourself, then you should make the connection holes yourself for convenient installation.
2. After installing the socket, it is necessary to pass the wire to the socket through the hole in the trunk.
3. It is important not to confuse the order of connecting the wires, otherwise you will need to reconnect everything, because it will not work. In case of discrepancies in the number of wires, purchase a special adapter.

   Wiring diagram

   
4. The joining process should be very accurate, reliable and neat. The wire must be cut and cleaned at the point of contact, perform this procedure on both sides 0.5 - 1 cm from the beginning. The side that goes to the outlet is cleaned by 1 - 1.5 cm.
5. All stripped wires are serviced and, if necessary, insulated with heat shrink.
6. The ends are soldered so that the conductor connects the cut edges of the wire.
7. Be sure to check all connections to prevent shorting. Connect the battery and check with a tester or a light bulb that the contacts of the socket are correctly connected. Simply connect the light bulb to the appropriate connectors and turn on turns, brakes, dimensions and number plate lights in turn.
8. To protect the wires from shorting or external damage, connect them with electrical tape, heat shrink or possibly with a special device available in the kit.
9. The wires should be fixed on the trunk walls, after which you can cover them with upholstery.
10. Finally, do a control check by connecting the trailer, the operation of the turning lights, running lights and brake lights.

Types of trailer sockets

As you already know, sockets of two types are used, which respectively differ in the number of contacts and the need for such connections.

Features of 7-pin pinout

This is the most used type, as it is quite easy to connect. It is used mostly in cars of domestic production and only for necessary lighting.

1. Left turn.
2. Feeding with a positive charge.
3. Power supply with a negative charge.
4. Right turn.
5. The right size and illumination of numbers.
6. Brake signals (stop).
7. Left dimension.

Functionality of 13-pin unpinning

Such sockets are mostly used for American cars, less often for European ones. All due to the fact that trailers, such as houses on wheels, are often used instead of a regular trailer. Accordingly, more contacts are needed there, for dimensions, anti-fog lighting, and also the supply of electricity to the devices inside this house.

1. Left turn and hazard warning.
2. Fog lights.
3. Power supply with a negative charge.
4. Right turn.
5. Right dimension and illumination of numbers.
6. Brake signals (stop).
7. Left dimension.
8. Reverse lighting.
9. Feeding with a positive charge (when the ignition is turned off).
10. Supply with a positive charge (when turning on the ignition).
11. Negative charge supply for pin 10 at 35 A.
12. Signal connection or spare free contact.
13. Negative charge supply for pin 9 at 35 A.

Pick up spare parts for the trailer