Towing Electrics (Trailer Socket)
Towing electrics connect the trailer's lights and other functions to the car through a socket at the tow bar.
What is Towing Electrics (Trailer Socket)?
Sockets are commonly 7-pin or 13-pin; adapters connect one to the other. Modern cars usually need a dedicated towing module rather than tapping into the light wiring. 13-pin sockets can also supply power to a caravan for a fridge or battery charging. A test with all trailer lights before each trip is a simple safety check.
How it works
A towing module reads signals from the car's lighting control and drives the trailer lights separately.
Why it matters for your car
Incorrect wiring can damage the car's control units or cause warning lights. Some cars need coding so trailer stability and parking sensors know a trailer is attached.
Other terms
- 12-volt Battery In Electric Cars
- ADAS Calibration
- Air-fuel Ratio
- Charge Limit (State-of-Charge Target)
- Coolant Flush (Coolant Change)
- Diode
- Electric Turbocharger
- Engine Braking
- Engine Break-in (Running-in)
- Engine Swap
- Far-Side (Centre) Airbag
- Historic Vehicle Registration (Classic Plates)
- Lightweight Flywheel
- Paint Code
- Park Assist (Automatic Parking)
- Pre-purchase Inspection
- Smoke Test (Smoke Leak Detection)
- Toe (Alignment)
- Torque
- Traffic Jam Assist