1224V Spot Led Work Lamp 8 X 3W

Towing products help you connect, light, secure and protect a trailer or caravan. This category covers tow balls and couplings, lighting boards and electrics, jockey wheels, wheel clamps, ratchet and winch straps, mudguards, suspension units, towing mirrors and covers.

Couplings and electrics

The 50mm tow ball is the standard size on car towbars. If your car was first used on or after 1 August 1998, its towbar must be type approved for that vehicle. Electrical connections come in two main types. The 7-pin 12N plug and socket, made to ISO 1724, carries the road lights. The 13-pin connector, made to ISO 11446, is widely used on caravans because it combines road lighting with auxiliary power and charging circuits in one plug. Adaptors let a 7-pin car tow a 13-pin trailer, or the other way round.

Legal and safety checks

• The trailer must carry a number plate that matches the towing vehicle, and its rear lights, brake lights, indicators and reflectors must all work.
• If the trailer or caravan is wider than the back of the car, fit towing mirrors so you have an adequate view behind.
• Trailers over 750kg when loaded need working brakes, and a breakaway cable or secondary coupling must be fitted.
• Check the car's towing limits in the handbook or on the VIN plate. If you passed your car test from 1 January 1997, your licence covers trailers up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass.

Loading and security

Keep heavier items low and central, and hold the load down with ratchet straps. Wheel clamps and coupling locks are fitted when the trailer or caravan is parked, to make it harder to move or tow away.

For cleaning and car accessories, see car care and valeting, or browse caravan and camping.