Member Since: 28 Oct 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 303
Joining The Tin Hut Club!
So we have took the plunge and ordered a Tin Hut on wheels.
An 8ft wide, 26ft long twin axle Coachman.
For peace of mind I am going to upgrade the removable towbar to a fixed towbar and I am looking at the Tow-Trust TL1 or the Witter.
I already have the 7 pin 12N and 12S sockets on the back of the D4 and I know that I can buy an adapter cable to the 13 pin from the caravan.
A question please, as an alternative to the adapter cable, is it just a simple and quick job for a fitter to replace the two 7 pin sockets on the D4 and fit a new 13 pin socket to the D4? I am assuming all the wiring is already there or am I missing something?
As ever, any thoughts or advice mush appreciated!
8th Oct 2020 12:34 pm
NavyDoc
Member Since: 11 Jan 2009
Location: Perth
Posts: 153
Lots of adaptors about. That’s what we used in the past for our TinTent. About £20
8th Oct 2020 12:40 pm
Frapp
Member Since: 19 Dec 2008
Location: Norff Zummerzet
Posts: 1655
Hi
Adaptors work but are not as good as the real thing. I got a genuine Land Rover 13 pin kit and fitted it myself, easy as it's plug and play.Member of the carrot crank club
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8th Oct 2020 2:55 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
Congrats on the new 'van!
yeah it's a simple swap. I kept mine as twin as I also have a trailer, have use of a car trailer, and have a bike rack all with 7 pin. My adapter seems to work fine.D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
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8th Oct 2020 3:52 pm
MorganD379
Member Since: 29 Sep 2016
Location: SA62 3PP
Posts: 425
Yup changed mine from the twin to the 13 pin... As they say 'plug n play' then went out and purchased an adapter for the trailer
8th Oct 2020 3:55 pm
Froogle-Yorkshireman
Member Since: 28 Oct 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 303
Thanks for the replies
Interestingly, on talking to a fitter about having a fixed towbar fitted he asked me if the van I am buying has LED indicators and braking lights. He went on to say that it is unlikely that the existing 7 pin 12N / 12S sockets on the D4 will support the C2 function and a new LED supporting loom with a 13 pin socket would be required.
Is that something anyone else has come across?
8th Oct 2020 5:33 pm
BBDisco3
Member Since: 23 Nov 2008
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3646
I seem to recall that some while ago I saw an accessory brochure with 2 different part numbers for the kit, one for standard bulbs and the other for LED.
8th Oct 2020 6:31 pm
Dixie Dean
Member Since: 06 May 2006
Location: Halewood
Posts: 298
Frapp wrote:
Adaptors work but are not as good as the real thing. I got a genuine Land Rover 13 pin kit and fitted it myself, easy as it's plug and play.
I would second that, just put the 13 pin on, much better2008 D3 HSE Stornoway Grey with Ebony Leather, towing a Coachman VIP 575
8th Oct 2020 7:02 pm
Dixie Dean
Member Since: 06 May 2006
Location: Halewood
Posts: 298
Have you had any thoughts about how to get the best out it? e.g. which clubs to join, cls and css versus club sites, going abroad, ACSI cards etc. etc.
Please ask, as I've been caravanning since I was 3 and I'm 66 now.
Been all over the UK and most of Europe, as far as Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia etc. and all points between.2008 D3 HSE Stornoway Grey with Ebony Leather, towing a Coachman VIP 575
8th Oct 2020 8:33 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10360
Also, on the D4 the genuine LR towing loom is in 2 halves. The top half is the same for both 2 x 7pin or 1 x 13 pin, so you only need to change the bottom half.
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9th Oct 2020 6:40 am
Froogle-Yorkshireman
Member Since: 28 Oct 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 303
Some good news for the frugal Froogle-Yorkshireman
The new van doesn't have LED lamps so I won't be needing the LED loom upgrade.
Just need to decide on the Tow-Trust TL1 or the Witter towbar now.
I might upgrade the electrics to a 13 pin to keep it nice a tidy and use a converter cable for when I infrequently use the trailer.
9th Oct 2020 11:00 am
DrRobH
Member Since: 10 Oct 2015
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 927
Plus you can use the 13pin to top up the battery on the D4 with a charging adaptor from the site shop Visitor from fullfatrr.com
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9th Oct 2020 11:36 am
Froogle-Yorkshireman
Member Since: 28 Oct 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 303
Yes, I already have the adapter from Martin for the 7 pin and use it frequently.
So if I go for the 13 pin conversion, Martin will get another sale and I will get a nose bleed spending all this money.
9th Oct 2020 9:07 pm
Froogle-Yorkshireman
Member Since: 28 Oct 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 303
I really didn't want to start another which towbar thread, but....
I was going to go for the Tow-Trust TL1 with an Alko ball.
However, I have spoken to someone today and can get the Brink towbar, which is the same as the OEM I believe, for £300 fitted which does seem to be a great deal.
Has anyone got a picture of the Brink fitted to their Disco that they could post on here?
I know its a bit more ugly but I believe it is more heavy duty and has a higher nose weight rating.
9th Oct 2020 9:12 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
Whatever you get, noseweight is pretty irrelevant where the caravan is concerned as that will have a 100kg limit anyway. Even the detachable (which when used properly is more than adequate - there are many on here (us included) who have towed caravans for thousands of miles without the slightest issue) has a 150kg limit, so far exceeds the caravans.
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Yes, I already have the adapter from Martin for the 7 pin and use it frequently.
