Towball electrics question

[Ingwe]

Our 2012 Bailey Approach 620 came with a tow ball already fitted. The van has an Alko chassis. We’ve never used the tow rack, indeed, I was contemplating even removing it but now we are considering adding a tow ball bike rack. We rang Armitage Towbars and while they are too busy to fit us in, they mentioned getting a tow bar service to make sure it’s ok.
Presumably, if the tow bar is securely fitted, the ‘service’ element will be about checking the electrics. Is this something I can just do myself with a digital multimeter? We don’t have any lights or anything that would normally plug into the tow ball socket.
Any guidance welcome. Thanks

 

[Jev88]

 

[Ingwe]

Sorry if this is a dumb question but never having used the tow bar to tow anything, we don’t have anything to connect to tow ball socket. Does the tester shown work if plugged into the socket only? Looking at these on Amazon suggests that you plug one end into the towball socket, the other into the trailer or whatever is being towed.
Have I understood this correctly?

 

[Bill-H]

Tow bar electrics should be part of an MOT I think, so if your motor is of an age to be MOTed, the electrics should have been tested by the MOT tester. **
Do you know anyone with a trailer or caravan? ask they if you can try the electics on your vehicle

** just looked it up -it only applies to the 13-pin sockets

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

​

MOT inspectors will carry out a visual assessment of your towbar and it’s assembly, checking for signs of excessive corrosion or damage to the towbar itself, as well as the tow ball, hook, eye, or jaw.

Inspectors will check for the presence and maintenance of retainings nuts and bolts, and will ensure that the assembly is securely attached to the vehicle with appropriately sized mountings. Finally, your towbar will be checked for any signs of modification, damage or poor repairs that may reduce the structure or strength of the attachment.

Why?​

EU law states that all EU member states must have regular inspection schemes in place for all vehicles, and in Great Britain our scheme for safety checks on vehicles is MOT testing.

MOT tests include towbars if you have one attached to your car, as these are considered to be essential items to ensure your vehicle is road safe.

The electric side is not what they deem important so it wont show up if the electrics are not functioning correctly as long has the car or van etc is ok itself.

Silly question but...if you borrow a tail board and plug it in, If the lights and every thing work ok ...its sorted yes?

Kev

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[fishplug]

Does the tester shown work if plugged into the socket only?

Yes.

If you search on YouTube for "testing tow bar electrics" you'll see a couple of different types and how they work.