7 pin towbar electrics and Thule bike rack

[Rhisiart]

Hi
I have a Thule velospace bike rack. Worked perfectly on my 2016 Ocean(13 pin connector). We now have a 2019 Ocean T6 with a 7 pin connector. Not sure whether factory fitted etc. The velospace has 8 pins. Having tried a 13 to 7 pin adapter the rack works fine on my vivaro van, but not on the Cali (except for flashing hazards when locking. Any advice welcome, but not electrically minded.
How do I check if factory fitted ?
Should I just go to a towbar specialist (or VW).
Is there an option to replace the 7pin with 13 ?
I doubt the towbar has ever been used.

Thanks in advance.
Richard
Red and white Cali

 

[vbk1975]

Hi
I have a Thule velospace bike rack. Worked perfectly on my 2016 Ocean(13 pin connector). We now have a 2019 Ocean T6 with a 7 pin connector. Not sure whether factory fitted etc. The velospace has 8 pins. Having tried a 13 to 7 pin adapter the rack works fine on my vivaro van, but not on the Cali (except for flashing hazards when locking. Any advice welcome, but not electrically minded.
How do I check if factory fitted ?
Should I just go to a towbar specialist (or VW).
Is there an option to replace the 7pin with 13 ?
I doubt the towbar has ever been used.

Thanks in advance.
Richard
Red and white Cali

I would be very surprised if it was factory with 7 pins, 13 pin has been the standard for most European cars for 15+ years, certainly from Germany, in line with caravans mostly standardising on 13 pin from 2008 onwards.

For the hazards to work, then that means 3 of the 7 pins working are connected correctly. I would make sure the adapter is in the correct way around and firmly installed, they are the source of half the issues I have seen, even just move it about with the lights on. Next, It would be worth opening up the socket and just checking all the connections are tight, they tend to be grub screws. If not then the Trailer sockets get a very rough time, with vibration, water and salt and the sockets aren't very robust, for the sake of <£10 if in doubt swap the socket, even better swap to 13 pin, they are generically more robust and easier to waterproof.

My guess is if this an aftermarket fitment, probably with an extra aftermarket interface / relay module added in, perhaps if you try and trace the wiring back or look for an out of place module in the boot or under the driver's seat, again check for an obvious loose wires or blown fuses, some of these modules are very cheap and not very robust.

A