Does the towbar install come with a 7 pin flat plug?
If so it is an easy swap for the 7 pin
But you will need an auto elec to run the additional power cables and Anderson plugs

 

Not sure if it is 7 or 13 pin euro plug it comes with but need 12 pin for the caravan, 7 pin flat not enough for the van.

 

Often the install includes a 13 pin euro plug hidden underneath with an adapter to the flat plug
Ensure you get the proper tow package electronics and programmng

 

I hope this helps you if you have a euro plug to convert to a 12 pin

 

Thanks for the replys, I might try a vanline 13 pin to 12 pin adaptor until I can get a more permanent solution.

 

I have a MY21 RLine. For caravans that don't need to recharge large onboard batteries while driving between off-grid sites the VW 13 pin connection is capable enough to do away with the need for a separate Anderson plug. There are 2 separately fused 20A circuits in the tow module, one intended for powering a 3 way fridge (which typically use about 15A) and the other can be used for keeping a breakaway battery charged or low charge rate for a van battery.
Having a <2000kg van with no breakaway required and not knowing any better at the time I had a 7 pin flat plug fitted with my towbar, and now I'm looking to get to the 13pin plug that I believe is just sitting up on the towbar behind the bumper.

As I only tow the van a few times a year I've used a workaround to get power to the van without needing an auto electrician to pull trim and run dedicated cabling for an Anderson plug. I fitted a voltage sensing relay in the battery bay under the driver's floormat with a short lead to a 50A Anderson plug. I can either hide the lead away in the battery box or have it out beside the driver's seat - the battery bay cover has enough of a gap at the rear for the cable to come out. I then run a 6mm/ 50A extension cable through the car and under the tailgate. I separated the fridge power and earth wires from the van trailer plug and they plug into my extension. That easily provides all the power I need for the fridge (3 days of 40C!) and if I needed to charge a breakaway battery I could do that too. But I'd still like to get that 13pin plug available!

I can confirm that the basic VSR works happily with the Touareg charging system and the 6mm extension cable has only a small voltage drop (measured under load by wattmeters)

 

Hi
Having a 2020 Premium R line fitted with a VW towbar at Castle Hill, but it doesn't have a 12 pin plug for towing a caravan, wondering what people have done?
Cheers Mark

see post #5

 

So when I get the towbar installation I should try and get the 13pin plug instead of the 7 pin plug?

 

Thanks Wolfy
QUOTE="Wolfy, post: 2221025, member: 234798"]
I have a MY21 RLine. For caravans that don't need to recharge large onboard batteries while driving between off-grid sites the VW 13 pin connection is capable enough v do away with the need for a separate Anderson plug. There are 2 separately fused 20A circuits in the tow module, one intended for powering a 3 way fridge (which typically use about 15A) and the other can be used for keeping a breakaway battery charged or low charge rate for a van battery.
Having a <2000kg van with no breakaway required and not knowing any better at the time I had a 7 pin flat plug fitted with my towbar, and now I'm looking to get to the 13pin plug that I believe is just sitting up on the towbar behind the bumper.

As I only tow the van a few times a year I've used a workaround to get power to the van without needing an auto electrician to pull trim and run dedicated cabling for an Anderson plug. I fitted a voltage sensing relay in the battery bay under the driver's floormat with a short lead to a 50A Anderson plug. I can either hide the lead away in the battery box or have it out beside the driver's seat - the battery bay cover has enough of a gap at the rear for the cable to come out. I then run a 6mm/ 50A extension cable through the car and under the tailgate. I separated the fridge power and earth wires from the van trailer plug and they plug into my extension. That easily provides all the power I need for the fridge (3 days of 40C!) and if I needed to charge a breakaway battery I could do that too. But I'd still like to get that 13pin plug available!

I can confirm that the basic VSR works happily with the Touareg charging system and the 6mm extension cable has only a small voltage drop (measured under load by wattmeters)
[/QUOTE]

 

I don’t know of any caravans sold in Australia with a 13 pin Euro plug. So unless you wish to do another wiring job there too?
Most caravan manufacturers use a 12 pin flat plug, it is sort of the standard these days

 

The VW dealer will fit the flat 7 pin plug not the 12 pin plug that is required for my caravan.

 

That is normal, most just take the 7 pin off and swap it for a 12 pin wiring up the first 1-7 pins for compatibility.
additional work to wire anderson plugs or other pins 8-12 is done by someone who knows what they are doing and to suit whatever you are towing. There is a some variation in requirements with power feeds, refrigerators, ESC, power supplies to disc brakes if fitted etc

 

Touareg Trailer Wiring kit instructions

 

I had a towbar fitted by Wakeling VW in Campbeltown (where I bought my 21 Wolfy).
I was quoted to fit a 12 pin, but they fitted a 7 pin. I dug my heels in and it got swapped over for a 12 pin.
The way I see it, if you have a towbar fitted, always get the 12 pin. It is completely compatible with a 7 pin flat plug and will be more attractive for the next owner (if there is one).

 

I used Gary's Auto Electrics in Castle Hill. See my post in the thread "auto sparky" from 2020. I had the full set of electrics - Anderson, 12 Pin flat, breakaway and electric brake controller. Not Cheap!, but very well done.

 

Thanks for all the replies booked in to castle Hill vw for the bar and volkstronic for the Anderson's and redarc towpro.

 

Ended up not making the towbar appointment, as someone ran up my bum on the way there. Waiting to see how long it will be to fix, doesn't look too bad.....very disappointed.