XL towbar electrics help

martycupratdi

Newbie
Sep 2, 2004
46
0
Kinross, Tayside
I need to have a tow bar fitted to my 2007 XL, costs dictate that I would like to fit this myself.
Whilst I am quite happy to do the mechanical parts i.e.bumper removal and cut and fit the bar itself, I'm not so sure about the electrics.
Can someone describe the components that I need to fit to provide twin electrics, does the bypass module that I need to fit to prevent the lamp fault warning lights activating also disable the reversing lights and sensors on the car when I have a trailer attached.
I understand that the bypass module needs to have it's own power supply directly from a spare fuseway or the battery, how would I wire this.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks
Marty :)
 

seremotors

Dave the Parts Manager
Mar 11, 2008
12,507
9
Belfast UK
www.seatcupra.net
The most important thing is to find out if your car is 'factory prepared' to accept towbar wiring. I can tell if you send me your chassis number. If it is, SEAT do a wiring kit but if not you also need a module which can be very expensive. Whatever you do, dont just splice into the wiring with scotchlocks. Even we as SEAT dealers normally get a good local specialist to do our towbars. Any Indespension branches in GB?
 
Nov 27, 2006
1,204
1
www.cardomain.com
Assuming you get a decent relay with a low current draw on the feed wires there shouldn't be any problem splicing into the wiring.

Twin electrics will be a bit trickier though - tbh, you could probably live with the reversing light illuminating the bottom of your caravan/trailer (reverse light is hardly up in the air on the Altea) but the reverse sensors could be a distraction.

Price up the SEAT kit and weigh up your options - if you don't go with the kit, you'll have to run a power lead from the battery which will mean taking up or tucking it under the trim through to the boot (and finding a grommet in the bulkhead to get into the engine-bay)
 

robint

Full Member
Apr 12, 2006
168
9
UK, Essex
Fitted towbar myself recently - easy enough with time and ideally another person to help hold the bumper on and off. Electrics are a little trickier - certainly need a module (cannot remember whose mine was) as the little cables will not take the extra current. Main issue will be a suitable 12V point - cheated on mine by plugging the module into the rear cigarette (12V socket) lighter when needed - don't use towbar that often. Not sure what the socket is rated at but should be sufficient I would have thought - no problems so far anyway. However on mine it is live with ignition off so essential to unplug when stopped for any length of time!!
 

martycupratdi

Newbie
Sep 2, 2004
46
0
Kinross, Tayside
cheated on mine by plugging the module into the rear cigarette (12V socket) lighter

I may make use of the 12v socket in the boot of mine. Can you tell me apart from the live feed that the relay needs, what else does it connect to, and what about the charging/power supplies to the power socket for the 12v fridge and axilliary battery.

Thanks again

Marty
 
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