Lighting board wiring for the car

vvs09

Hi,

I recently bought a rear-mounted bike rack for my car from Halfords - "Halfords Rear Low Mount 2-Bike Bike Rack"

However, after mounting the bikes on the rack, my rear lights and the numbers plates are obscured.

I searched for the lighting board and I found - "Halfords Cycle Carrier Lighting Board".

The challenge here is getting the lighting board wired to my car. It has a 7 pin socket, but I do not have any towbar installed in my car. So there is no holder for holding the socket in the rear of the car.

My car is SEAT Tarraco - 2020 model.

I confirmed with SEAT Dealers and they don't provide any lighting boards or the option to wire it.

Questions:

1. Do I need to have the lighting board for the cycle mount rack as a regulation in Ireland? I could not find any forum/webpage suggesting the same.

2. Where can I get the lighting board connection wired to the car (any suggestion on mechanics)? How can I fix the socket to the rear/bumper of the car without any towbar?

Thanks in advance

CoBo55

It would probably be better to get the complete tow bar fitted especially on a car so new, not cheap but you'll know it's done properly.

mgbgt1978

Possibly a lot cheaper to find a high-mount bike Rack to suit the Tarraco.
It is possible to just get a lighting socket wired to your car, and leave it in the spare wheel well. then just leave the Trailer board cable in through the Tailgate when using the Rack. If you are keen to keep the Low mount rack that would be your simplest option (actually simplest option is just to carry the bikes around without a lighting board, but that's your choice )



Although you may possibly find it is cheaper to get a high mounted rack than to get a Socket (assuming it leaves the tail lights relatively visible).
There are a lot of Bike Carriers available...lots more than Halfords carry. Have a google for 'Tarraco Cycle Carrier' and see how you get on.

vvs09

Thanks for the suggestions.

@CoBo55: Definitely, fixing a towbar would be a cleaner option, but I am not sure as the socket wiring will involve cutting the car rear light wires. I am not aware of the warranty factor as well as the effect it would have on the car's fuse or rear lights.

@mgbtg1978: I agree, the high mount bike rack was a way better, but I guess returning this rack won't be possible since I threw away the packaging. Still buying another rack would be a much decent option. Also, for the time being, I might try using the car without the board.

Car99

vvs09 wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions.

@CoBo55: Definitely, fixing a towbar would be a cleaner option, but I am not sure as the socket wiring will involve cutting the car rear light wires. I am not aware of the warranty factor as well as the effect it would have on the car's fuse or rear lights.

@mgbtg1978: I agree, the high mount bike rack was a way better, but I guess returning this rack won't be possible since I threw away the packaging. Still buying another rack would be a much decent option. Also, for the time being, I might try using the car without the board.

On such a new car it would be best get the main dealer to fit towbar which will include electrics

con747

vvs09 wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions.

@CoBo55: Definitely, fixing a towbar would be a cleaner option, but I am not sure as the socket wiring will involve cutting the car rear light wires. I am not aware of the warranty factor as well as the effect it would have on the car's fuse or rear lights.

@mgbtg1978: I agree, the high mount bike rack was a way better, but I guess returning this rack won't be possible since I threw away the packaging. Still buying another rack would be a much decent option. Also, for the time being, I might try using the car without the board.

If the rack is obscuring your lights and number plate your just asking for trouble, both need to be visible fully by law. It would also be dangerous for drivers behind you if they cannot see your brake lights and indicators fully.

mgbgt1978

OP, I'm on the phone so can't copy and paste a link. Search pfjones UK and you will see that they sell a plug-in wiring kit specifically for the Tarraco.

vvs09

con747 wrote: »

If the rack is obscuring your lights and number plate your just asking for trouble, both need to be visible fully by law. It would also be dangerous for drivers behind you if they cannot see your brake lights and indicators fully.

Thanks for the confirming this.

vvs09

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

OP, I'm on the phone so can't copy and paste a link. Search pfjones UK and you will see that they sell a plug-in wiring kit specifically for the Tarraco.

thanks for sharing the wiring kit.

vvs09

Car99 wrote: »

On such a new car it would be best get the main dealer to fit towbar which will include electrics

Thanks. That is definitely one of the safest options considering the warranty.

TheBoyConor

The socket will just plug into the wiring loom somewhere. The dealer just wants to fit a towbar because the towbar and lighting wiring come together. They only want to do what is a nice convenient lego fix for themselves.

Get an auto electrician to fit the trailer socket to the loom. Leaving the socket int he boot is a bad idea. The cable going to the lights could get cut or damaged by the bootlid and it could blow fuses or start a fire.
The socket could be fitted in some easily accessible location in behind the bumper.

R.O.R

Car99 wrote: »

On such a new car it would be best get the main dealer to fit towbar which will include electrics

Doesn't need to be the main dealer - a lot of main dealers farm that work out to specialist tow bar fitters anyway, and just take a margin. Cutting out the middle man and going straight to the tow bar company will save money.

I was pricing Tow Bars for a Kodiaq last week, and the Skoda dealer can only get the fancy electric folding version fitted in the dealership. Wasn't as expensive as I thought, but still over €1,000 inc. VAT and that's probable discounted trade rates from our supplier.

Aftermarket detachable Brinks bar was around half the price from Towing Equipment. Malcolms Towbars are usually around the same price as Towing Equipment. Fixed Tow Bar rather than detachable are usually around €150 cheaper if there is a non-detachable option available.

Fitted with electric socket, wired in using a bypass relay.

If you are planning on keeping the Taracco for a good few years, probably worth getting the Tow Bar fitted and a Tow Bar bike rack - less chance of causing damage to the rear door than you get with the door mounted racks.

Malcolms & Towing Equipment can also supply bike racks so you might get a deal on the bar and rack if done at the same time.

mickdw

Lots of proper wiring kits available for the tarraco.
You could easily have the wiring part done without the towbar.
The kit connects in correctly to cars electronics and automatically switch off reversing sensors etc when trailer lights are plugged in.