We went out early this morning to move a load of sleepers from up the field round to No1 son's place, he and No2 son have appropriated one of the Nag shelters to do some work on their VW's during the winter, and Nova's and Escorts cannot take doubled-up sleepers in the back! We had to do it early as rain was forecast and I didn't want to go in the field with an empty van and loaded trailer on wet ground.
Anyway, it's the first trip out with the trailer on the new van, and the towball is almost exactly right, and if I fit a UK-made ball instead of the higher DIN/ISO standard type it will come down by an inch and be about perfect.
Plugged the electrics in.... oops!! there's a funny 13-pin thing, where there should be a 7-pin thingy, and even my maths says they ain't gonna work together.
Phoned dealer from whence the van was supplied: No, we do not carry that mating plug, and it isn't something that's in the parts inventory even....
So, we have a van that is nominally French, made in Luton, but for some reason they fit electrics that are not compatible with 99% of the UK trailers and caravans.
So after we delivered the sleepers and played with No1 Granddaughter, I went hunting for a 13-pin plug. No luck at a number of caravn dealers or car accessory shops of Auto-Electricians.
Finally I called in at Halfords at Wellingborough to pick up some screenwash on the way home, and lo and behold - a 13 to 7 pin adapter! Costs £14.99 but it worked out of the box and I had lights again :-)) Made in Italy BTW
Peter
-- Peter & Rita Forbes Email Address: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk Web Pages for Engine Preservation: