Now that I'm finally in a position to buy a towbar, I'm also in need of electrics. The suppliers seem a little confused as to what plug we use here in Australia - actually, we use a number of different ones, but by far the most common is this 7 pin plug

Can anyone confirm if this is the same used in England? The thinking is that I can then simply specify the English 7 pin plug and avoid the confusion.

I know there are converters and I could simply replace whatever plug I get if it proves to be the wrong one, but I'd prefer to get it right the first time.

As for the bar, currently talking to Umbra Rimorchi but if nothing comes of that, I'll probably go for Witter.

Yes, that looks like the standard UK 7 pin trailer plug.

In the UK its wired like this: http://www.tridentuk.com/gb/kbase/trailers-and-trolleys/trailer-wiring.html

I spot from this Aussie site that the UK rear fog light wiring is used for the reverse signal on the Australian version... http://www.narva.com.au/products/browse/wiring-diagrams

Pete

Our removable bar is a Thule branded item, which I believe is now marketed in the UK under the Brink brand. Our car is a 4x4 variant, which likely affects the specific model.
Was this for a bike rack, do I recall? Keep meaning to get one of those (I have roof bar mounted ones, but the thought of bikes waggling about up there and the load on the roof bars goes through me!).

Herts Hillhopper said:

Yes, that looks like the standard UK 7 pin trailer plug.

In the UK its wired like this: http://www.tridentuk.com/gb/kbase/trailers-and-trolleys/trailer-wiring.html

I spot from this Aussie site that the UK rear fog light wiring is used for the reverse signal on the Australian version... http://www.narva.com.au/products/browse/wiring-diagrams

Pete

Click to expand...

Thanks Pete. I'll order the British plug... and if proves not to be what I need, I'll simply change it. Of course, I could also muck about with adaptors. I can't see me doing much towing, the towbar is for a bike rack. I'm also going to contact FIAT here, but considering they barely sold any Pandas and never had a towbar kit available, I'm not expecting anything, particularly anything at a half sensible price.

Panda 4x4 TA Antarctica said:

Our removable bar is a Thule branded item, which I believe is now marketed in the UK under the Brink brand. Our car is a 4x4 variant, which likely affects the specific model.
Was this for a bike rack, do I recall? Keep meaning to get one of those (I have roof bar mounted ones, but the thought of bikes waggling about up there and the load on the roof bars goes through me!).

Click to expand...

It's to carry bikes. Thule is what I'll be getting, haven't finalised which one but it'll probably be the light, cheap Thule that folds up.

We're required to carry an extra registration plate out behind the bike because the government is terrified they may not be able to read our rego on the speed camera - weird seeing they aren't concerned that the bike obscures your rear lights (just shows what really matters doesn't it). I haven't quite worked out how I'm going to do that yet and it'll need to be easy to remove seeing the rack will be in and out of the boot on a daily basis.

The large 7-pin round UK plug is not that unusual here. I have one. I just use an adaptor. You can remove the plug and fit a 7-flat or whatever you want, but you will have to get a new bracket to hold it in place. The bracket that holds the 7 round won't work with anything else.

I'm having trouble getting Umbra to talk to me. Might have to source a different brand from somewhere else.

Nothing wrong with the Witter bar, thats what I bought and it seemed a well made item

In the UK the 7 pin plug has no provision for a reversing light. If you want that or think you might get a caravan(!) you should get the 13 pin as that allows split charging/accessory power etc.