Member Since: 31 Oct 2008
Location: Leamington Spa UK
Posts: 72
13 pin electrical towing connection
Has anybody experienced problems when trying to connect a 13 pin trailer/caravan plug into a 13 pin socket on the disco. Unlike sockets on other vehicles the disco one is at 90 degrees. With the 13 pin plug it has to be inserted and then then twisted. There is a flange on the plug that means this twisting is difficult if not impossible as it catches with the chassis. The solution seems to be buy a plug with no flange (I haven't found one yet) or else modify the chassis behind the rear bumper.
Any thoughts advice welcomed.
I have LR 13 pin socket on my D3 and can hook up plug & rotate locking flange with no issues - is the socket on yr D3 LR genuine or pattern part?,there should be plenty of clearance.
25th Mar 2009 9:38 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
socket
Rob
what do you mean the socket is at 90 degrees, that does not sound right, can you post a picture? Is it a genuine LR product.MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
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25th Mar 2009 9:50 pm
RobP
Member Since: 31 Oct 2008
Location: Leamington Spa UK
Posts: 72
Thanks for the replies. The socket is a genuine 'plug and play' LR fitment that was fitted by a local specialist garage. I have caravanned for years and on all other cars the sockets (12N & S) have been mounted in such a way so that the hinge of the flap is horizontal at the top of the socket so that when the flap is open it too is horizontal. The 13 pin socket is fitted to the disco in the right hand slot in the bumper and is fitted to pre drilled and threaded holes that mean that the flap hinge is vertical on the right side of the socket which means that the flap that alines with the flange on the plug is vertical on the right side when lifted.
Its too dark at the moment to go and take a pic, hope my description helps clairfy. I have looked at the mounting holes for the socket and it only appears to be able to be mounted in the way that it is.
Got yr pics - its not the socket but yr D3 Chassis member . I cannot take pics of mine until the weekend but I am sure I have not got the bent/bowed metal your pics show as I would then have the same issue
hi
i have the 13 pin system and no problems
can't see your pics so cannot give helpful advice
hope you get it sorted Doing my best on the red wine lake, as its good for the heart
my other 4+4 is a real tractor but not as much fun on road
27th Mar 2009 12:16 am
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1344
I have a 2005 Discovery and have just swapped the two 7-pin sockets for a genuine 13-pin and appear to have the same problem as the original post. Have LR modified the chassis slightly on later models to accomodate the socket, as mine isn't damaged at all? As was originally said, the flap on the socket opens sideways as opposed to the usual up at the top. Only LR could be so daft!
27th Apr 2009 3:06 pm
TallPaul
Member Since: 03 Jan 2008
Location: Near Reading
Posts: 1214
I can take a picture if it stops raining... (and the wife brings the car back) but my 13 pin is the same. You open the flap/door 90 degrees to the right, like a fridge, not opwards like the boot. You then insert the 13 pin plug with the black disc up (or flange if you prefer), turn 90 degrees to lock and the black disc then mates with the open flap to keep all the road dirt grit and crud out. As they say at Haynes, removal is the reverse of fitting.
My chassis does not foul the flange/disc on rotation, but it is tight. I had a good look at the very ikea instuctions when I fitted mine myself, thinking the flap should open upwards, and no there is only one way to fit it due to the spacing of the screws.
27th Apr 2009 5:26 pm
RobP
Member Since: 31 Oct 2008
Location: Leamington Spa UK
Posts: 72
Nigel, I wrote the original thread and spent quite a lot of time thinking about a solution. I eventually came to the opinion that the socket was too far 'back' in the housing and therefore the plug was catching. I have now loosened the sockket and packed it 'forward' and then tightened up and now it is much easier. I have also modified my 13 pin plug a little as well. I wonder in the newer models whether the housing is not as deep as in the 05 year ones.
Drop me a pm if you want and we can exchange phone numbers and chat about it if that would help.
Rob
27th Apr 2009 5:37 pm
TallPaul
Member Since: 03 Jan 2008
Location: Near Reading
Posts: 1214
I am upside down in my earlier post, flap opens to left, plug goes in with flange down and rotates 90 degrees to be flange left.
Guys, does this help, this is what my 57 plate tow area looks like:
Click image to enlarge
Here is the plug inserted but not rotated:
Click image to enlarge
Here is the plug rotated and locked into position:
Click image to enlarge
I am wondering if my kit came with a spacer, I seem to recall there was a plastic piece that screwed to the captive nuts in the rear bumper, then the plastic plug assembly screwed into this. The plastic piece was horseshow shaped to fit over cable when fitting.
Does that help?
27th Apr 2009 6:14 pm
RobP
Member Since: 31 Oct 2008
Location: Leamington Spa UK
Posts: 72
Looking at this my socket is the other way round ie right sided flap. I think the answer might be in the spacer. I ended up making one of my own from sheet pastic. That might be the modification to cope with the twisting action of the 13 pin plug.
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. I cannot take pics of mine until the weekend but I am sure I have not got the bent/bowed metal your pics show as I would then have the same issue 
