Trailer Electrics

Andy · 31 January 2004, 20:18

Anybody know of a waterproof socket for the back of my car, that the trailer electrics plug into. I go through them at a stupid rate, mainly cause they get dunked when I launch the boat. The car is very low and the backend gets hit by ferry wash at the camber, portsmouth. Once wet it corrodes and fails very quickly.

Hence the need for a waterproof one!! Any ideas...

Rogue Wave · 31 January 2004, 20:22

Dunno put could you not buy a plug and fit it into the socket and then fill the inside of the plug up with sealant, it would keep a lot of the moisture out.

Or you could use a rope or an extension bar

Alex Brown · 31 January 2004, 22:13

WD40 worked fine for me with the socket on my last van - not sure whether its exactly the right application for the job, but I had a few occasions when the socket would be dunked, and then for the following few days the bleeper would come on when indicating even though there wasn't a trailer board attached.

After a complete clean out, sprayed a fair amount of the magical stuff into the socket and it worked perfectly for the rest of the season.

Before I started using WD40, the terminals went all green and things started not working......

-Alex

Dirk Diggler · 31 January 2004, 22:58

You could remove the socket from the back of the vehicle, and fit an "inline" socket that lives in the boot when it's not being used!

Richard B · 31 January 2004, 23:27

I've just broken the sprung plastic cover off mine, so I decided to weatherproof it....

1x rubber glove and some sticky tape. Job done!

gtflash · 01 February 2004, 08:36

hi andy

i had the same problem. i decided i couldnt keep replacing them or fit a mod as its needed for towing other things too. Mine tends to leak through the rear and no amount of wd40 stoped them roting away. In electonics you can get this stuff called potting compound, (get it at maplins)it is a bit like areldite and completely seals anything you fill up with it (permenant). I had plenty of cable (just in case) so filled the back up with it, then its just a case of waterproofing the front, i think towsure sell a waterproof sleave a bi like a condom!!

Rogue Wave · 01 February 2004, 11:09

Thanks GTF the potting compound is a good idea

Aging Youth · 01 February 2004, 21:03

Hi guy's

As an alterenative, you could always use a front tow bar hitch.

This will make launching easyier as the tow hitch is fitted to the front of the vehicle keeping the exhuast and electrics well out of the way of any water or waves.

Plus by driving the boat trailer into the water, you have better control of your trailer when launching and when retrieving the trailer you have a lower gear by using reverse.

cheers

Andy · 01 February 2004, 21:09

Aging Youth, dont take this the wrong way, I appreciate the advice, BUT a front towbar would hardly look in keeping with my Audi!!

However the potting compound sounds like a great solution .... maplin here I come. I will let the forum know of progress.

Thanks

Ribald · 01 February 2004, 21:22

If it's the potting compound that I used to use on pyro cabling ends it goes off rock hard and you will not be able to remove the wiring ever.
Would it not be easier to stuff the inside (back) of the socket with grease and then grease the pins on the plug? I have found this method to be quite effective.

Rogue Wave · 01 February 2004, 22:17

Quote:

Originally posted by Andy
Aging Youth, dont take this the wrong way, I appreciate the advice, BUT a front towbar would hardly look in keeping with my Audi!!

.

I think it would look quite butch!

simmons0 · 01 February 2004, 22:37

Does the trailer really need to go in so deep?

I've launch there lots of times and never been hit by ferry wash or had to take the car in that deep.
Is it a rollercoaster trailer?
If so just put the boat in reverse and let it pull it self off the trailer.

Ribald · 01 February 2004, 22:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Rogue Wave
I think it would look quite butch!

Take it from one whose got one - they make parallel parking a lot easier too

Andy · 02 February 2004, 01:52

Simmons0 - Yes its a roller coaster. However the boat wont float off or pull itself off unless I get the back wheels of the car 1inch into the water. As the tow electrics are low on the back anyway they are very close to the water ... and swell causes then to become dunked. The car is very low and the boat is heavy. It takes some pushing to get the bugger off. This is cause the boat is running down hill towards the car, even on the slip, so you are affectively pushing it uphill!! I have yet to see how I can reconfig the trailer and in fact it may make no difference. This is not a good photo but gives an idea of how low the car is

http://www.badviz.com/Galleries/NewB...s/C22_jpg.html

and even in this pic the electrics are about 1inch from the water.

http://www.badviz.com/Galleries/Roun...s/C12_jpg.html

Maybe the only answer if an offroader.

simmons0 · 02 February 2004, 07:41

Yes i see what you mean. It has to go in that deep.
What engine have you got in that car?
And is is a quattro?

Andy · 02 February 2004, 08:07

Yes its a quattro and has a 2.5 diesel TDI. Pulls like a dream up and more importantly is legal for the boat weight. Its just low!

John Kennett · 02 February 2004, 09:09

Andy

If that was my car I wouldn't get it anywhere like that close to the water.

In my opinion you should not be messing around waterproofing the trailer socket, but you should get a decent rope between car and trailer and launch your boat properly!

John

Alan · 02 February 2004, 09:29

What about getting a drawbar extension made up - e.g. a piece of steel box section say 15-20f long with a tow hitch at one end and a tow ball at t'other. You could keep it under the trailer/alongside the boat. When you get to the slip unhitch trailer, rig extension and you can still push trailer back down a slip and its all probably a bit safer than mucking around with bits of rope?

fatboy500 · 02 February 2004, 10:12

I'm with aging youth on the front towbar. You can be inch perfect on manouevering as ther's much more control and you can see where you're going without cricking your neck / having to use the mirrors.
There are detachable versions available .

http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/

Scary Des · 02 February 2004, 11:52

Andy Your car looks very low at the back even on level ground, what's your nose weight? and If its ok have you thought about a leveller kit? look at this site www.mad-suspension.co.uk/ they do progressive auxiliary springs which I fitted to my Passat to overcome the same problem.
Des