Towbar R-Class 320

[Motzil]

Hi Guys
As previously stated, I recently obtain my first R-Class and I’m now looking to have a towbar fitted. And we’re currently looking at Touring caravans.

The caravan is likely to be secondhand around 2015, and therefore have twin electrics (Unless the wife gets her way)

What I’d like to know is there a towbar that would be preferential and not require the bumper to be cut. I have looked at the usual contenders Witter, Westfalia and a few others, which seem to require a bumper cut and they are certainly not cheap coming out at around £500+ Fitted.

I appreciate you only get what you pay for, but given the bumper needs to be cut and the fact I did fit towbar (sometime ago I must admit), But the principals are still the same and the electrics would require the use of a By-pass relay, which I’m okay with.

I am considering fitting a towbar myself. Therefore, is twin electrics with charging relay for three-way fridge, the preferred route or would I be better converting to the 13 pin, EU socket system. All comments and advice welcome. Please feel free to add

 

[EmilysDad]

The Bosal towbar on the R Class I had was already fitted when I bought it. It was a detachable and there was a small cut out on the lower edge of the bumper that wasn't really that noticeable unless you got on your hands & knees
As for electrics, your proposed caravan will have a 13 pin plug on it ..... IIRC UK caravans have been fitted with a 13 pin since 2009 .... and is far superior to the previous 12N & 12S plug/sockets.

 

[Motzil]

Many Thanks EmilysDad I had thought the 13 pin plug came in to place 2017. shows how much I know. Although everyone who has quoted me so far, has quoted for twin electrics. I will certainly look out the Bosal towbar thanks

 

[ajlsl600]

i just did my ML approx 135£ for the bar +114 euro for the dedicated harness,13 pin with can bus connection. but it was no fun to fit as cables had to go under carpets,side panels ect to reach the under rear seat fuse box. all works well with bulb out dash display ect but yet to tell car (star ) that its fitted . if req i can find the links to both items.

 

[Craiglxviii]

We had a Westfalia removable one fitted that didn’t require any cutting.

 

[Craiglxviii]

We had a Westfalia removable one fitted that didn’t require any cutting. £500 fitted on the driveway.

 

[Dunhamkid]

I have a 2007 R Class which came with a factory fitted removable towbar and 13 pin wiring plug, manufactured by Bosal, I think. There is a removable panel fitted under rear bumper to attach the lowball. I had a problem with the switched live feed to the caravan, only to find out that the wiring kit was incorrectly wired in!! This was easily rectified and I would suggest that you fit a dedicated wiring harness. In my case, there was no need for additional relays (none are fitted to the wiring harness) and the fridge cools and caravan battery charges when I am towing. The caravan has a habitation relay
Original, the caravan had the 2 off 7 pin plugs fitted but there were always problems with lights etc. I changed the caravan to 13 pin and have had no problems at all, in fact the gearbox changes better as it now knows that it is towing a caravan!!

 

[Motzil]

I have a 2007 R Class which came with a factory fitted removable towbar and 13 pin wiring plug, manufactured by Bosal, I think. There is a removable panel fitted under rear bumper to attach the lowball. I had a problem with the switched live feed to the caravan, only to find out that the wiring kit was incorrectly wired in!! This was easily rectified and I would suggest that you fit a dedicated wiring harness. In my case, there was no need for additional relays (none are fitted to the wiring harness) and the fridge cools and caravan battery charges when I am towing. The caravan has a habitation relay
Original, the caravan had the 2 off 7 pin plugs fitted but there were always problems with lights etc. I changed the caravan to 13 pin and have had no problems at all, in fact the gearbox changes better as it now knows that it is towing a caravan!!

Many Thanks for the info can you direct me to the type of dedicated wiring harness you mean. if 13 pin is the way to go then I'm all for it.

 

[Motzil]

i just did my ML approx 135£ for the bar +114 euro for the dedicated harness,13 pin with can bus connection. but it was no fun to fit as cables had to go under carpets,side panels ect to reach the under rear seat fuse box. all works well with bulb out dash display ect but yet to tell car (star ) that its fitted . if req i can find the links to both items.

would be great if you could point me in the right direction of a dedicated harness ajls1600

 

[Dunhamkid]

Many Thanks for the info can you direct me to the type of dedicated wiring harness you mean. if 13 pin is the way to go then I'm all for it.

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/towbar-wi...kits/mercedes-r-class-towbar-wiring-kits.html

 

[Dunhamkid]

I think this is the wiring harness i have. Should give you some idea what is involved?

 

[Motzil]

I think this is the wiring harness i have. Should give you some idea what is involved?

Absolutely Brilliant Thank You Will try and source on of these ASAP

 

[ajlsl600]

would be great if you could point me in the right direction of a dedicated harness ajls1600

ok i will go find it and post

the towbar was from towequipe uk and the wiring was from https://www.rameder.eu/ who also do bars tho i had to go thru the french site ,which was slightly cheaper for the wiring have a look

 

[Dunhamkid]

Absolutely Brilliant Thank You Will try and source on of these ASAP

Did you ever fit your wiring kit? If so, which one did you buy?