Technical Tow Bar

[BrianA]

Hi Folks,

I have a "59" plate fiat panda active eco 1.1 with a tow bar but i'm getting the new "62" plate 1.3 multijet panda ( the new squircle shape ). I am wondering if i can take the tow bar kit from the old car and put it onto the new one?

It would save me buying a whole new towbar kit.

Also, if the case may be that i do need to buy a new towbar then could someone send me an ebay link for one which includes the electrics (just 7 pin).

Also, do you need a relay box for these Pandas? I didn't require one for the electrics in the old car but have no idea about the new one

Mucho thanks!
Brian.

 

[lamlash]

It almost certainly won't be the same on the new Panda.

Also, on most cars when you fit a towbar you have to remove a crash beam from behind the bumper and fit the towing bracket in its place. Unless you still have the crash beam in the back of your garage you should really leave the towbar on your old car and get a new one for your new car.

I'd suggest you splash out the extra few quid on a kit with a bypass relay or even better a dedicated wiring loom to avoid electrical / warranty issues.

Finally, it might be a good time to consider upgrading to a 13 pin setup - this would mean changing the plug on your trailer/lighting board etc. but it's a much more reliable connection than the 7 pin.

 

[BrianA]

thanks for the reply...

I dont understand how a 13 pin plug will be more reliable than a 7 pin.
The two things i tow are a Teardrop caravan and a garden trailer.
The caravan doesn't have a fridge nor battery charger etc because its so small so i don't understand how having more holes in the plug will help when there are only going to be 7 used at once.

Thanks

 

[lamlash]

regarding the 13 pin plug/sockets, if you go along to your local caravan accessory shop and have a try with one you'll see why its better than the old 7 pin.

I used the 12N and 12S plugs for many years and occasionally got bent pins, snapped off alignment lugs (through careless connecting of the plugs) and bad connections. When I got a new car it came with a 13 pin socket on the towbar and rather than using adapters I changed the plugs on my trailer and lighting boards and have been really impressed with 13 pin.

Some of the better 13 pin plugs come with an installation alignment cap (usually bright green) which doubles as a sealed blanking cap to keep moisture out of your plug when your trailer is not in use. Try to get one which has that feature if you can.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

regarding the 13 pin plug/sockets, if you go along to your local caravan accessory shop and have a try with one you'll see why its better than the old 7 pin.

Appart from the hassle that 13pin is MOTable and 7pin isn't iirc.