Trailer buzzer

As anybody who has a trailer will know, you have to have an audible signal whenever you operate the indicators. My buzzer is fitted next to the right hand rear light in the engine room. Unfortunately you can barely hear it. I wondered if it's possible to pick up the correct wires under the dash and fit it there.

Also I may have dreamed it but I think somebody suggested that you can just plug in a different indicator relay up front.

Anybody?

 

really? I didn't realise audible signal was law, I know you used to have to have a trailer light flashing on the dash to tell you the trailer indicators were working, doesn't really matter as if you're on the old 7 pin socket the mot man can't test the electrics anyway!

 

It's either/or. There must be a system though.
Modern cars can tell a trailer is connected and then utilize the car's own "bulb out" system.
Us old timers must have one or the other or indeed both.

 

or if you're me "neither"

 

You wild living outlaw. I bet you cross the road without waiting for the green man too!

 

If you swap your flasher relay for a Hella towing relay (doesn't cost very much), it'll have an output on it that you can use to drive a "trailer indicators" light on the dash. It's completely useless, but is a legal requirement, I believe.

 

That's the one.
Will drive a buzzer too if that's your thing.

 

Aha getting close. I was thinking maybe just plug it in and it buzzes, but this still seems to need an external buzzer.

I'm pretty paranoid about my trailer as I once drove off and it uncoupled, fortunately in my street and no damage done. When I'm driving though I can't see it except going round sharp corners so some reassurance that it's still there would be good.

 

Nope, doesn't buzz, but Maplins will sell you something that makes a very irritating noise. I'd go for a light bulb, meself - they're quieter

All the towing relay does is measure the current drawn when the indicators are on: if two bulbs are going (no trailer) nothing happens, if three bulbs are on (trailer flashing as well) it energises the warning light output.

 

Load it up,to the gunwales then you can see it in the mirrors!

 

or put a whip aerial on the trailer

 

I fitted a tow bar to my T5 still haven't fitted the buzzer but it still passed the last not. And know it's not wired into the loom like a factory fitted job so the van doesn't know if the lights are working.

 

Is that a breed of dog?

 

yes i think so.

 

I have a device to fit for my tow bar which I use for the ball mounted bike carrier and has a lead length which will allow positioning inside. I will probably fit over the winter but I asked my last mot man and he said that it was not needed on the van (fitted with a 7 pin socket).