13 pin round socket connectors have become the European standard since 2008 and will be found on most second hand caravans imported from the United Kingdom whereas New Zealand towbar connections are invariably installed with a 7 pin flat plug.
The 13 pin socket system has a number of advantages including enhanced water proofing, a more secure connection and an increased number of electrical connections; it’s big disadvantage being the difficulty in mounting it on the vehicle in an unobtrusive manner.
Obviously these 13 pin round sockets and 7 pin flat plugs are not compatible. While Megatyre sells plenty of adaptors to connect European vehicles to New Zealand trailers, we have been unable to source the hardware to connect New Zealand vehicles to European/UK trailers; the problem here being that female 13 pin sockets suitable for use on adaptors simply do not exist. (please let us know if you know where to source them, they would be a big seller!)
We frequently receive queries from folks importing UK caravans looking for an adaptor to connect the 13 pin round socket on a UK caravan to a 7 pin flat plug New Zealand vehicle; unfortunately such an adaptor does not exist. The solution is simply to take your caravan to a good Auto Electrician who will convert it to a 7 pin flat plug so that it will connect to your New Zealand vehicle.
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