V70 mk1 tow bar Electrics upgrade

Gord170 · Jun 29th, 2014, 12:12

Hi I recently bought a v70 which has a tow bar with single electrics and was wondering if easy to upgrade to twin or 13 pin electrics as we are thinking about getting a caravan and I would like to be able to run fridge on the move etc. I haven't looked at the current wiring yet but it was fitted a year ago by Hutton bros Volvo specialists its a Witter tow bar and looks like new. Can I just buy a wiring upgrade kit from eBay etc. or would I have to buy a Volvo wiring Kit . Thanks in advance for any help

Gordon

XC70Bob · Jun 29th, 2014, 23:17

Hi Gordon

seeing as lots of people have looked at this post but not posted a reply I will do my best to help.

what year is your car ( so I can look up the correct wiring diagrams )

changing from 12n to 12n & 12s is probably the easiest option but upgrading to 13 pin socket is also do able how handy are you with wiring / electrics?

Bob

Gord170 · Jun 29th, 2014, 23:30

Thanks for the reply bob my car is year 2000 phase1 I am ok with wiring I just was not sure what the best option was 13pin or 12s the caravan I was thinking about is a 2011 bailey which has the 13 pin plug but I think you can get an adaptor if you have the twin sockets.

thanks
Gordon

XC70Bob · Jun 30th, 2014, 10:26

just had a look at the diagrams I have and they do not show any options for towbar wiring on your car !

But seeing as you already have the 12n socket fitted ( presuming it works ok ) you could fit a 12s and use one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30-amp-Sma...item3a91af82b3
to provide the power to it. Simple to use as you only need to supply 2 x 12v feeds to it and an earth and it switches on when the battery / car system voltage is over 13.5 volts.

If you wanted to go down the 13 pin socket route you could remove the 12n socket and install the wiring in to the 13 pin socket and add the charging circuits to it as well, there are 2 versions of the 12s and 13 pin sockets as regards wiring and it depends on the age of your caravan.

Hope this gives you some idea of the options if you decide to go ahead I will try and help you as much as I can, its a shame your not nearer me I could have given you some hands on help.

Gord170 · Jun 30th, 2014, 18:12

Thanks bob very helpful I had wondered about using the existing wiring and adding it to a 13 pin plug so might give this a go I will let you know how I get on

Gordon

Jun 29th, 2014, 12:12	#1
Gord170 New Member Last Online: Feb 28th, 2023 12:41 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Symington south Ayrshire	V70 mk1 tow bar Electrics upgrade Hi I recently bought a v70 which has a tow bar with single electrics and was wondering if easy to upgrade to twin or 13 pin electrics as we are thinking about getting a caravan and I would like to be able to run fridge on the move etc. I haven't looked at the current wiring yet but it was fitted a year ago by Hutton bros Volvo specialists its a Witter tow bar and looks like new. Can I just buy a wiring upgrade kit from eBay etc. or would I have to buy a Volvo wiring Kit . Thanks in advance for any help Gordon

Jun 29th, 2014, 23:17	#2
XC70Bob XC70 SE lux D5 Last Online: Feb 25th, 2024 14:34 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mansfield, notts	Hi Gordon seeing as lots of people have looked at this post but not posted a reply I will do my best to help. what year is your car ( so I can look up the correct wiring diagrams ) changing from 12n to 12n & 12s is probably the easiest option but upgrading to 13 pin socket is also do able how handy are you with wiring / electrics? Bob

Jun 29th, 2014, 23:30	#3
Gord170 New Member Last Online: Feb 28th, 2023 12:41 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Symington south Ayrshire	Thanks for the reply bob my car is year 2000 phase1 I am ok with wiring I just was not sure what the best option was 13pin or 12s the caravan I was thinking about is a 2011 bailey which has the 13 pin plug but I think you can get an adaptor if you have the twin sockets. thanks Gordon

Jun 30th, 2014, 10:26	#4
XC70Bob XC70 SE lux D5 Last Online: Feb 25th, 2024 14:34 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mansfield, notts	just had a look at the diagrams I have and they do not show any options for towbar wiring on your car ! But seeing as you already have the 12n socket fitted ( presuming it works ok ) you could fit a 12s and use one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30-amp-Sma...item3a91af82b3 to provide the power to it. Simple to use as you only need to supply 2 x 12v feeds to it and an earth and it switches on when the battery / car system voltage is over 13.5 volts. If you wanted to go down the 13 pin socket route you could remove the 12n socket and install the wiring in to the 13 pin socket and add the charging circuits to it as well, there are 2 versions of the 12s and 13 pin sockets as regards wiring and it depends on the age of your caravan. Hope this gives you some idea of the options if you decide to go ahead I will try and help you as much as I can, its a shame your not nearer me I could have given you some hands on help.

Jun 30th, 2014, 18:12	#5
Gord170 New Member Last Online: Feb 28th, 2023 12:41 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Symington south Ayrshire	Thanks bob very helpful I had wondered about using the existing wiring and adding it to a 13 pin plug so might give this a go I will let you know how I get on Gordon

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