I currently have a perfectly working 13-pin socket on my tow hook (a 2009 TDV8).
I want to add a 7-pin socket besides the 13-pin, so I can use both (not both at the same time) as I use different trailers. Some have a 7-pin connection, some have a 13-pin connection. And as there is a space for a second socket, I want to use that space.

I know there are adapters available, but that's not what I want.

Do I need to splice the wires (which I don't like) or are there kits available so I can hook up both a 7-pin socket and a 13-pin socket?
Or can I buy a couple of OEM connectors and make a loom myself that handles both the 7-pin and 13-pin?

Any advice and/or pictures are very welcome.

Nothing off the shelf

Probably want to run a new 7 core wire into the car by the left light and connect inside.

If you plan a body off soon that cable will be a problem though

I know you said you didn’t want to use an adapter, but they are so easy to use and take on/off. Use mine all the time for two different trailers.

Splicing into the cable will cause issues later on, as it's in the right place for water ingress, the adaptors are small and so easy to use, can't ever think of a reason to cut into a perfectly good cable when they are available.


Dave 2010 3.6 TDV8 HSE (Gone)
2011 Discovery 4 Commercial SDV6 (Gone)
1980 OBLIC 4.0ltr Range Rover (went a long time ago)

I would use an adaptor - lessor of the two evils when considering spilcing into existing cable.

As an aside I found the 13-pin socket behind the panel a pain to fully engage & lock the plug so I relocated it onto the towbar (I have a fixed one that also keeps my rear bumber safe from those that park by ear). 2006 RRS 2.7 HSE.

Then I will probably take the cable out of the existing 13-pin socket and route it back into the car. Then put a new connector on that end (female side). And then on the male side of that connector I will attach 2 cables: one with 7 cores and one with 13 cores. And those 2 cables will be routed towards the tow hook to the 7-pin socket and 13-pin socket.

That way I don't have to cut any wires and I can always revert my changes.

Really just making it too complicated i think

Just buy an adapter….

I have an adapter, I just don't like it.

ax_crosser wrote:

That way I don't have to cut any wires and I can always revert my changes.

I don't see a problem concerning the rear fog lights. That's all working fine now on the 13-pin socket, which will be the starting point for the 7-pin socket.

And both will never be used at the same time.

If my idea doesn't seem to work after all or has some unwanted side-effects, I will post it here.

The problem will be that when using the 7-pin socket the fog light cut out will not work. There are probably ways to overcome this (additional wiring/relays pehaps), but you really are trying to find an over complicated solution to a non-existant problem.

1,000's of people use adaptors without issues. 2006 RRS 2.7 HSE.

Yeah the fogs lights won't be simple, however it is only an issue if you tow something like a white caravan which will reflect the cars fogs lights badly at night.

So ensure if you tow such a trailer, make sure the socket it uses cuts the fog lights.

My factory fitted one doesn't cut the fog lights anyway.


If you make the connections inside the car, it won't be as much drama as people are making out.

Fit a 13 pin plug to the other trailer!

Job sorted…

If the other trailers would be mine that would probably be the way to go. But they are not, so that is not my call.