newby to towing

[Busboy]

I have just purchased a new genuine MGR Towbar for the tourer which I intend to get fitted over the winter, my intention is to purchase a small secondhand trailer tent to use for camping next year.

now having bought the correct tow bar I need the correct electrics and ideally would prefer the correct MGR set up as supplied as an option when new (that works in tandem with the cambus), I am a bit green about what to get, I have read about by-pass relays etc, and I feel sure that this set up would suffice, so I would appreciate it if a knowledgeable member could point me in the right direction

when I bought my car two years ago I had a problem with the parking sensors not working and took it to a knowledgeable MGR mechanic who told me that the wiring had been messed about with and that car had a tow bar fitted in the past, although contact with the previous owner told me the car did not have a towbar fitted in his ownership.

Also I would like to hear of any member who could advise of a competent person/mechanic/garage who can do the job for me within 100 mile radius of north kent.

thanks in advance for any member who can help

[HarryM1BYT]

I would suggest the proper kit is worth it.

For a caravan with battery + fridge to power you would need the extra 7pin 12S which has nothing to do with the can-bus. I'm not sure whether your trailer tent might or might not need this, but they are not expensive and available almost anywhere.

The basic and essential is a 7 pin socket the 12N, which carries all of the road lighting needs, which is where the can-bus comes in to play. Towsure in Sheffield used to sell the proper BMW system, as fitted to the MGR. They used to be around £130 for the full kit, minus the 12S.

If you do intend fitting the 12S side, please make sure your main feeder cable is adequately sized so as to avoid voltage drop under load - the cable runs from the battery (main fuse panel) at the front to the towball. I would suggest an equivalent of 6mm as an absolute minimum, but many installers install smaller to cut costs. I installed 2x 4mm.

The modern replacement for the two sockets is a 15pin combined single socket.

[macafee2]

I have a feeling that a proper set up will disconnect the cars rear fog light when the trailer is connected. This stops the light from the fog light reflecting off the trailer
macafee2

[Darcydog]

Originally Posted by Busboy

I have just purchased a new genuine MGR Towbar for the tourer which I intend to get fitted over the winter, my intention is to purchase a small secondhand trailer tent to use for camping next year.

Would certainly agree re the genuine Tow-Bar.

You may want to seek out specialist places for what to tow with it!

Near us is a place that offers folding caravans, pop up caravans as well as Trailer Tents.

We had a folding caravan and loved it. Ideal for Touring. Only disadvantage was that with a normal caravan we liked to pull over at anytime to have a cuppa/lunch etc.

Have a look - may give you some ideas :-

https://campersandleisure.co.uk

We had one of these but made by Sterkmann and was a lot older!! :-

https://campersandleisure.co.uk/prod...ge-1996-model/

[Mogodon]

The OEM kit is obviously the best, BUT, they are hard to find complete new or used last I saw was on the bay and after a bidding war sold for £128.

They also need you to know a good bit about car electrics and really need a professional fit which is far from cheap as it's quite involved, and many won't touch anything but new and they supply (which is not an option).

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by Mogodon

The OEM kit is obviously the best, BUT, they are hard to find complete new or used last I saw was on the bay and after a bidding war sold for £128.

They also need you to know a good bit about car electrics and really need a professional fit which is far from cheap as it's quite involved, and many won't touch anything but new and they supply (which is not an option).

They are not much more difficult to install, than the general purpose relay bypass systems. Both these and the pukka 75 system need the main feed from the battery, which you would have to run anyway for the 12S. Both need you to tap into the various rear lights. The one extra for the pukka system is the thin can-bus wire from the controller, back to the LSM/ the road light switch module.

The advantages are well worth the extra cost - knowing constantly as you drive, whether all your trailer lights are working and if they fail, which one has failed.

[cb750chris]

Hi Keith,
If you don't get any nearer offers I would be willing to help / fit your towbar for you - I have done 3 of these now.
However I am down in Fareham, just outside Portsmouth, so about 110 miles.
Let me know if you want help
Chris

[7T5]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

They are not much more difficult to install, than the general purpose relay bypass systems. Both these and the pukka 75 system need the main feed from the battery, which you would have to run anyway for the 12S. Both need you to tap into the various rear lights. The one extra for the pukka system is the thin can-bus wire from the controller, back to the LSM/ the road light switch module.

The advantages are well worth the extra cost - knowing constantly as you drive, whether all your trailer lights are working and if they fail, which one has failed.

With the oem kit does the caravan icon on the dash light up? I was gutted mine didnt with the towbar the towbar folk fitted

[JonMs]

Yes, it lights up if a trailer bulb has blown.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by JonMs

Yes, it lights up if a trailer bulb has blown.

With the hi-line display, it even tells you which lamps has failed