Dedicated Towbar Electrics Packs

[TheDivvy]

Hi, I have just purchased a Corolla Verso 1.8VVTi 2004 with MMT. B) :D

I am going to fit my own towbar and have noticed that some towbar suppliers offer dedicated car specific wiring harness connections (circa £85 :( )

My questions are:

Are car specific wiring harnesses worth buying?

What benefit do they really offer for the money over a generic wiring harness? (I only need 7 pin for trailer towing/cycle carrier at this time)

Can they be DIY fitted easily? (there was a comment by one site that a dealer might need to programme the car to make it work fully)

As an aside, I have factory fitted rear parking sensors that turn on when reverse is selected, where do I make the connections for an ON/OFF switch (I believe the switch itself would be located in the boot somewhere).

Thanks

[Zwart_Verso]

As an aside, I have factory fitted rear parking sensors that turn on when reverse is selected, where do I make the connections for an ON/OFF switch (I believe the switch itself would be located in the boot somewhere).

Thanks

I would like the answer to this as well, I also have the rear parking sensors but no on/off switch, which means when I reverse I have to put up with the loud beeeeep. I find reversing with a trailer dificult enough without having the noise distract me.

I know you can by the switch as an option it costs about €50 which I think is a bit steep for an on/off switch.

Hope someone can help here?

Best regards,

Andy

[oorlad]

Hi Guys,

I got a towbar & electric kit fitted a few months ago. I was originally going to do it my self, but got put off by the electrics. My local toyota dealer told me I would need to solder some wires and it all sounded a bit to much hassle.

The company I used installed a small electronic box into the wiring lum, they didn't have to mess about with the cars systems.

By the way I also have the reverse parking sensors, and I just found the on off switch behind the left hand side (when looking from rear) removable cover in the boot. Have a good look you might have one too. It's a small round rocker switch.

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help!

Regards,

Col.

2007 Verso SR 2.2D

[moonstone mart]

Genuine Toyota towbar looms dont require any soldering. Its all plugs specifically made for the car.

Much better than the generic type you can get and people fit with scotch locks!! lol

Mart.

[hertsnminds]

The on/off switch for my parking sensors is behind the panel in the boot you remove to stow the boot cover (on the left hand side as you look into the car from the tailgate end. It is very easy to knock the switch when you are stowing or removing the boot cover.

[TheDivvy]

Genuine Toyota towbar looms dont require any soldering. Its all plugs specifically made for the car.

Much better than the generic type you can get and people fit with scotch locks!! lol

Mart.

Hi All, thanks for the responses, I have since found additional info about dedicated electrics packs at this link http://www.towsure.com/bespoke/dedicated-wiring-kits.html It talks about dedicated electrics being capable of "telling" the car it's towing and therefore the car modifies its traction control, etc. to take account of additional load. Additionally as has been mentioned no messy hooking up to cars electrics, just dedicated plug/sockets for cars electrics. However notes do mention that some cars need ECU updated by dealer (cost?) for all functions to be enabled, when I receive pack will post if Verso needs this.

I have ordered my electrics pack from http://www.towequipe.co.uk/ (£89 + £8.99 P+P) and my towbar from Halfords (no delivery charges, pick up from store after 4-5 days and cheapest for swan neck variant (£93))

Regarding reversing sensors I looked in rear left hand cover panel in boot and found reverse sensor control pack, however as it's difficult to get at I'll wait until fitting the towbar as I'll be removing panels then for fitting towbar. Will post details of how I get on, however in the mean time found according to instructions for fitting sensors that there should be 2 wires linked out (see http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/default.aspx# (need to register) Parking Aid 800M RHD). Removing the link and replacing with a switch will enable the sensors to be disabled, again will post details on what I find and how I overcome the issue.

TheDivvy

[TheDivvy]

Received my towbar and electrics pack, unfortunately a week of cold weather means I'm not brave enough to fit it until it's a bit warmer (can't close the garage door while fitting it :( )

BRINK towbar from Halfords is VERY good quality (found out in pack that BRINK are part of Thule group :D , so despite being cheapest turns out to be an excellent buy). Instructions show no need for any drilling and largest tool required is 19mm socket which should be in any decent socket set, however it would be advisable to have access to a torque wrench as instructions give recommended values to use - makes life easy.

As promised will add my experiences of fitting when I do get to fit it.