The Ford Tranist MK8 V363 has been in production since April 2014 and from a towbar wiring point of view has under gone several “updates” since production started until May/June 2024 which this guide mainly covers. In July 2024 a digital dash upgrade occurred which greatly changed the towbar wiring advice, see the June/July 2024 update at the end of this guide for more information.
Which Dedicated Tow Bar Wiring Is Wanted?
There are several things you need to be aware of before ordering and installing Ford Transit MK8 tow bar wiring. First, decide upon the basics, such as 7 or 13 pin towbar socket? Do you need this to run the trailer lights or lights and caravan electrics? The answer to these two questions will depend on what is going to be towed. But if you want to be able to tow anything, then it would be a 13 Pin wiring kit plus caravan accessory electrics loom which gives 12v power to Pin 9 and 10 on a 13 Pin socket wiring kit
What Version Of The MK8 Transit Is Going To Be Fitted?
The main issue however is, what version of the Mark 8 Transit do you have? Whilst production years are helpful, this information alone cannot confirm which 7 or 13 pin Towbar Wiring kit is needed. We find the production year plus which engine and emmission system is installed on the van to be fitted and if the van has trailer prep or not to be the most accurate way of ordering the correct kit first time. At the time of writing for towbar wiring purposes there is the 2.2L Euro 5, – April 2014 to June 2016, 2.0L Euro 6 – July 2016 to 2019, 2.0L Euro 6.2 – 2019 to June 2024 and the July 2024 to 2025. Armed with this information the final piece to know is does the van have trailer prep?
How Do I know If My MK8 Has Trailer Prep?
So, what is trailer prep? On The Ford Transit MK8 it means that Ford have installed a wiring loom with a helpful connector plug located at the back of the Front Passenger step and another (may be blanked off) plug located between the spare wheel holder and near side rear wheel arch, as can be seen on the picture below.
If the rear trailer prep plug is not present, then dedicated wiring kits for vans without trailer prep need to be selected. These kits are sometimes described as fitting vans with and without trailer prep as they will fit vans with trailer prep but they do not use the trailer prep connector plugs.
If Trailer Prep is installed on the van, then the front trailer prep plug needs to be considered. This is because on Euro 6.2 vans the front connector plug changed from an 8 pin to a 16 pin plug shown below.
Armed with this knowledge the 7 or 13 pin wiring kit for vans with trailer prep can be ordered. These kits have a price advantage (as there is less actual wire needed) and a quicker installation time as their is no need to run cables all the way from the towbar to the front passenger step as is needed on vans without trailer prep.
For example, if your van is the 2.0L Euro 6 version the 13 Pin tow bar wiring kit for the 2.0L Euro 6 with Prep would be the cheapest and quickest installation solution compared to the 13 pin dedicated wiring kits for vans without trailer prep. Please note however, some manufactures with trailer prep kits claim to fit Euro 6 and Euro 6.2 versions, these kits however need extra installation steps at the Front Trailer prep plug as they come with the 8 pin rather than 16 pin connectors. There is a Euro 6 to Euro 6.2 accessory connector plug available which returns these kits to a more plug and play experience! The best solution however, is to order the dedicated kit for the Euro 6.2 if that is what your van is. If the van does not have prep or if unsure it has then order the wiring kits that fit vans without trailer prep as these kits fit both with and without trailer prep models, so as long as you know the model year, engine and emmission system the kit ordered will fit your van.
Main Connections
Regardless of whether your Transit MK8 has trailer prep, the main connections are made in the front passenger step. On kits for models without trailer prep the wiring runs from the towing socket on the towbar at the rear, along the chassis rail to the front step. That means these kits can be fitted to the van regardless of whether it has trailer prep or not.
Jun/Jul 2024 Upgrade
It appears that the V363 built from June/July 2024 will only have trailer prep installed if specified by the buyer at the time of order. Additionally, the trailer prep advice given about earlier models no longer applys as trailer prep on these models means different plugs. Our current advice is to use towbar wiring kits for vans with and without trailer prep, to ensure fitment.
Coding
After installing the wiring loom, the van will need to be coded. Van coding is where the van is plugged into a diagnostic scanner and the relevant coding work (as shown in the fitting instructions) is carried out. From dedicated wiring kit installation, the legally required road lights operate as expected. But as the vans have been improved over the years, so to have the towing related safety functions (Dash board tell tales, Auto fog light cut off etc.) built into the van by Ford. For these to work, coding is required.
Wiring Faults
Fortunately, dedicated towbar wiring is very reliable. However, on the MK8 the towbar wiring ECU is placed in the front passenger step which is low enough to be easily affected by rain and flood water. The only fault which sometimes arises therefore, is a complete failure! This appears to be always due to the installation of the ECU control box in the front passenger foot well. Correct placement and orientation of the ECU to prevent and drain water from it is very important. This electronic brain box, like everything electrical does not work when wet. To reiterate, It is really important therefore that the brain box is installed so that any water thrown towards it can drain away and do not drive into large puddles or flood water! It is also worth noting that water damage is not covered by the warranty offered on this product or any electrical products for that matter.
To find out more about tow bars and towbar wiring for the Ford Transit MK8 V363 please email us at info@budettowbars.co.uk or visit us online here https://budettowbars.co.uk/product-category/ford/ford-transit-mk8-v363/