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[Nick W]

So apart from turning up at the destination with warm beer, how will you know if the eco systems have been disabled when you hook up the caravan? 

if both batteries are charged, why would you care? After all, fiddling with the alternatorcharging rates 'to improve emissions' will give such small improvements that don't justify the cleverness required to implement them.

[Auto Addict]

Just had an informative conversation with Witter Towbars.

The tech guy said the car should have been re-programmed to know that it is towing a caravan.

When I start the car and put my foot on the brake, the eco systems will be cancelled, and the car will operate normally, controlling the fridge relay and charging of the leisure battery.

If it doesn't, then I'm to go back to them as the car will not have been re-programmed correctly.

Thank goodness I used one of their approved fitters.

So apart from turning up at the destination with warm beer, how will you know if the eco systems have been disabled when you hook up the caravan? 

 

I suppose I could buy one of these :-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DEOK-Digital-Voltmeter-Generator-Cigarette/dp/B00GX5VMTY/ref=sr_1_16/258-6395587-9795351?ie=UTF8&qid=1502266152&sr=8-16&keywords=lighter+voltmeter

[Sir Tigger KC]

How long is the drive from home to campsite AA?

[Auto Addict]

How long is the drive from home to campsite AA?

Normally go distances between 2/4 hours drive, depending how long we've booked to stay.

[Auto Addict]

Just had an informative conversation with Witter Towbars.

The tech guy said the car should have been re-programmed to know that it is towing a caravan.

When I start the car and put my foot on the brake, the eco systems will be cancelled, and the car will operate normally, controlling the fridge relay and charging of the leisure battery.

If it doesn't, then I'm to go back to them as the car will not have been re-programmed correctly.

Thank goodness I used one of their approved fitters.

So apart from turning up at the destination with warm beer, how will you know if the eco systems have been disabled when you hook up the caravan? 

Thinking about what Witter said, the stop/start eco system should be disabled

[Bigron]

Just had an informative conversation with Witter Towbars.

The tech guy said the car should have been re-programmed to know that it is towing a caravan.

When I start the car and put my foot on the brake, the eco systems will be cancelled, and the car will operate normally, controlling the fridge relay and charging of the leisure battery.

If it doesn't, then I'm to go back to them as the car will not have been re-programmed correctly.

Thank goodness I used one of their approved fitters.

So apart from turning up at the destination with warm beer, how will you know if the eco systems have been disabled when you hook up the caravan? 

 

I suppose I could buy one of these :-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DEOK-Digital-Voltmeter-Generator-Cigarette/dp/B00GX5VMTY/ref=sr_1_16/258-6395587-9795351?ie=UTF8&qid=1502266152&sr=8-16&keywords=lighter+voltmeter

I'm afraid that those plug-in voltmeters are not very accurate; I have had a few of them and not one agrees with another!

Ron.

[TD]

Just had an informative conversation with Witter Towbars.

The tech guy said the car should have been re-programmed to know that it is towing a caravan.

When I start the car and put my foot on the brake, the eco systems will be cancelled, and the car will operate normally, controlling the fridge relay and charging of the leisure battery.

If it doesn't, then I'm to go back to them as the car will not have been re-programmed correctly.

Thank goodness I used one of their approved fitters.

So apart from turning up at the destination with warm beer, how will you know if the eco systems have been disabled when you hook up the caravan? 

Thinking about what Witter said, the stop/start eco system should be disabled

That's true 

There might even be a little light on the dash that shows up  .....Ive seen a green light of a towbar before on some cars.
Have a butchers in the handbook 

About 15-20 years when my Dad had a caravan I can remember there was a buzzer fitted in the boot that you could hear in cabin that went off when he used the indicators...to let him know the indicator lights on the caravan were working....im sure things have progressed since then 

[Auto Addict]

Just had an informative conversation with Witter Towbars.

The tech guy said the car should have been re-programmed to know that it is towing a caravan.

When I start the car and put my foot on the brake, the eco systems will be cancelled, and the car will operate normally, controlling the fridge relay and charging of the leisure battery.

If it doesn't, then I'm to go back to them as the car will not have been re-programmed correctly.

Thank goodness I used one of their approved fitters.

So apart from turning up at the destination with warm beer, how will you know if the eco systems have been disabled when you hook up the caravan? 

Thinking about what Witter said, the stop/start eco system should be disabled

That's true 

There might even be a little light on the dash that shows up  .....Ive seen a green light of a towbar before on some cars.
Have a butchers in the handbook 

About 15-20 years when my Dad had a caravan I can remember there was a buzzer fitted in the boot that you could hear in cabin that went off when he used the indicators...to let him know the indicator lights on the caravan were working....im sure things have progressed since then 

No such thing on the Merc Dave

[Andy B]

.....

No such thing on the Merc Dave

Thank Christ ...... buzzers are only fitted by tow bar fitters for ease. My Merc flashes rapidly when a trailer/caravan indicator fails ..... just like when one fails on any other car. Try it 

[Auto Addict]

Did a rough test last night, after it stopped raining.

Plugged the 'van into the car, started the engine and ran it for about 20mins., stationery.

Car, 'van & fridge all getting a full charge output from the alternator.

Not a proper test I know, proof will be in towing it for an hour or two.

[Auto Addict]

Seems Witter are correct, first tow with the Merc, fridge still cold and leisure battery fully charged after a 4 hour journey, with a couple of 15 min stops