Tow bar electrics check in Exeter
Professional tow bar electrics check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Tow bar electrical system tested thoroughly. All trailer lights checked, faults identified - make sure you're legal and safe before towing.
Don't Get Pulled Over Towing
You've borrowed a trailer, hooked it up, and as you drive away you're wondering if the lights are actually working. Last thing you want is blue flashing lights on the M5.
💡 Pro tip: Tow bar electrics fail gradually. Last time you used it might have been fine, but corrosion builds up. Always test before towing.
Why Regular Checks Matter
More than just legal - it's safety:
| ✅ Working Properly | ❌ Faulty |
|---|---|
| Drivers behind see you braking | Rear-end collision risk |
| Indicators work both sides | Confusing other drivers |
| Legal and no police stops | £100+ fine, vehicle prohibition |
| Reverse lights warn pedestrians | Backing hazard |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Test
I'll plug a test unit into your tow bar socket and check every function - brake lights, left indicator, right indicator, tail lights, fog, reverse (13-pin). Identify any faults and let you know what needs fixing.
📦 You're Left With
- Full report of what works and what doesn't
- Identified faults
- Advice on fixes needed
- Peace of mind for towing
Pricing Guide
| What's Involved | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Tow bar electrics test | 20-30 mins | £60 |
£60 minimum charge. Quick test, but could save you a prohibition notice.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ About to tow - haven't used it in months
✅ Just bought the car - don't know if tow bar works
✅ Trailer lights not working - need to find the fault
✅ MOT prep - want everything checked
Why Choose Us for Tow bar electrics check in Exeter?
All trailer lights tested
Faults identified and reported
Road-legal and safe
Quick 20-minute check
What to Expect
Step 1: Socket Inspection
Check the tow bar socket for obvious damage, corrosion, or loose connections. Sometimes the problem's visible before testing.
Step 2: Electronic Test
Plug in the tester, check each function systematically. Brake, left indicator, right indicator, tail lights, fog, reverse if 13-pin.
Step 3: Fault Diagnosis
If something's not working, check whether it's the socket, wiring, or relay. Let you know what needs fixing and whether it's DIY-able or needs a specialist.
🔧 DIY Tips
You can do a basic check yourself with help from a friend:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Your trailer (or a test plug)
- A friend to watch the lights
- Possibly some contact cleaner
- Maybe a multimeter
📐 Basic testing
With a trailer attached:
- Plug trailer into tow bar
- Get friend to watch trailer lights
- Turn on sidelights - check tail lights work
- Press brake - check brake lights work
- Left indicator - check it flashes
- Right indicator - check it flashes
- Fog lights on - check fog light works
- Reverse gear - check reverse light works
Socket cleaning:
- Spray contact cleaner into socket
- Wiggle plug in and out few times
- Wipe pins with dry cloth
- Many "faults" are just corrosion
⚠️ Common issues
- Corroded pins in socket (clean with contact cleaner)
- Blown fuse in car (check fuse box)
- Failed bypass relay (needs replacing)
- Broken wire in tow bar wiring
- Faulty trailer lights (test trailer separately)
💡 Pro trick: Keep a small bottle of contact cleaner in the car. Quick spray and wipe often fixes intermittent connections when you're hooking up a trailer.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 About to tow? Always test electrics before setting off. Takes 2 minutes with a friend watching, saves potential fine and insurance issues if you have an accident.
7-pin vs 13-pin - Older tow bars use 7-pin sockets (just lights), newer ones use 13-pin (lights plus power for caravan fridge, etc). Different testing but same principle.
Bypass relays - Modern cars use these to protect the car's electrics. When they fail, nothing works. Specialist auto electricians can replace them.
Corrosion prevention - Use a protective cover on the socket when not towing. Keeps weather out and stops corrosion building up.
Legal requirement - All trailer lights must work. Driving with faulty trailer lights is illegal and you'll get pulled over.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gets checked in a tow bar electrics test?
I'll plug in a test unit and check all the lights work - brake lights, indicators left and right, tail lights, fog light, reverse light (if 13-pin). Basically everything that needs to work for you to be legal towing a trailer.
My trailer lights aren't working - can you fix it?
I can test and identify where the fault is. If it's a simple blown bulb or loose wire in the trailer, I can usually fix it. If it's a wiring fault in the tow bar socket or car electrics, you might need a specialist auto electrician.
Do I need to bring my trailer?
Not for a basic socket test - I've got a tester that checks all the pins. But if you want the actual trailer tested too, bring it along and I'll check the whole system together.
Will it pass MOT with faulty trailer electrics?
The tow bar socket isn't usually part of the MOT unless you've specifically declared you're using it. But if you're towing with faulty lights, it's illegal and you'll get pulled over eventually.
What if the electrics were working before?
Tow bar sockets get corroded from weather, especially if you don't use them often. Sometimes it's just cleaning the pins. Other times the bypass relay's failed or there's a wiring fault. I can diagnose it for you.
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