Raising the bar - hopefully!

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Old Chimer
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:42 am

Post by Old Chimer »

Evening all, and thank you for letting me join.

After 45+ years behind the wheel of a fairly eclectic mix of cars, from my first (a 1955 Standard Eight) to my most recent (a V8 Vantage), I'm in the process of finalising an order for my first ever Porsche, a Gen 3 Macan 3.0 S. There is however one crucial element holding up, so I'm hoping your collective knowledge/experience can help me over the line.

The issue relates to the deployable factory fit tow bar, and specifically the wiring of the 13-pin socket thereon. Seems Porsche don't fully wire the 13 pins, meaning anyone wishing to tow a caravan (yes, I appreciate that might be blasphemy to some of you ;) ) will have no power to the fridge/freezer whilst towing (and possibly not to the ATC either). What's more, apparently there is no Porsche kit to upgrade this to the requisite full wiring. Surely I can't be the first person wanting to tow a caravan with a Macan, and if not then can anyone explain how to overcome this hurdle, please?

Many thanks in advance and hopefully I can soon confirm that order.
'22 Macan S, GB, 14W/XL, AAS, PA/SV, ACC, LCA, PG, HF/RS, VFS, EETS, 75L, etc, etc.

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Nuclear Nick
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Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2016 3:42 pm
Location: Bristol

Post by Nuclear Nick »

Welcome to our friendly forum Old Chimer! Interesting couple of cars you mention, perhaps sometime you can let us know what was in between.

Sorry I can’t help you with your towing query but hopefully someone here can. In the meantime share your build spec with us and get ready for some help to spend more money!
Nick

Defender 90 V8

991.2 C2 GTS

Macan Turbo - sold

BMW K1300S, BMW R1250 GSA
Jim S
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2020 11:13 am

Post by Jim S »

I won’t be happy with that on my GTS when it turns up as I use that power source on my trailer to power my three cameras on my car transporter trailer.

Where did you find the information on the wiring?
Old Chimer
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:42 am

Post by Old Chimer »

Nuclear Nick wrote: Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:44 pm Welcome to our friendly forum Old Chimer! Interesting couple of cars you mention, perhaps sometime you can let us know what was in between.

Sorry I can’t help you with your towing query but hopefully someone here can. In the meantime share your build spec with us and get ready for some help to spend more money!
Thanks for the welcome Nick. There have been a lot in between! How long have you got?

Still time for some final tweaking, but currently looking like this PNIDQ3F0
'22 Macan S, GB, 14W/XL, AAS, PA/SV, ACC, LCA, PG, HF/RS, VFS, EETS, 75L, etc, etc.
Old Chimer
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:42 am

Post by Old Chimer »

Jim S wrote: Mon Oct 18, 2021 10:23 pm I won’t be happy with that on my GTS when it turns up as I use that power source on my trailer to power my three cameras on my car transporter trailer.

Where did you find the information on the wiring?
Direct from the dealer. Only 8 of the pins are wired. Same on Cayenne too apparently.
'22 Macan S, GB, 14W/XL, AAS, PA/SV, ACC, LCA, PG, HF/RS, VFS, EETS, 75L, etc, etc.
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Neil1911
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Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:00 pm
Location: Sheffield, England

Post by Neil1911 »

Old Chimer wrote: Mon Oct 18, 2021 7:35 pm Evening all, and thank you for letting me join.
We weren't given a choice! Just kidding, welcome :D
Old Chimer wrote: Mon Oct 18, 2021 7:35 pm .......can anyone explain how to overcome this hurdle, please?
A mixture of Stayinapub.co.uk, Airbnb and IHG works for me! Seriously, this time :D
http://www.porsche-code.com/PP37WLA6, a Dolomite Silver S, collected from Stockport OPC on Valentine's Day 2023, after a 399 day wait.
Ex.: Gen2 S, Volcano grey 1/9/19 - 3/2/23 & 39,235 Smiles, RIP
Old Chimer
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:42 am

Post by Old Chimer »

Neil1911 wrote: Mon Oct 18, 2021 11:30 pm
Old Chimer wrote: Mon Oct 18, 2021 7:35 pm Evening all, and thank you for letting me join.
We weren't given a choice! Just kidding, welcome :D
Old Chimer wrote: Mon Oct 18, 2021 7:35 pm .......can anyone explain how to overcome this hurdle, please?
A mixture of Stayinapub.co.uk, Airbnb and IHG works for me! Seriously, this time :D
Thanks Neil, but when you've livedinapub.co.uk, done (and been done by) Airbnb (or their like) and spent small fortunes in IHG venues for over 30 years, the simple pleasures of caravanning in the beautiful British (and European) countryside takes some beating.
'22 Macan S, GB, 14W/XL, AAS, PA/SV, ACC, LCA, PG, HF/RS, VFS, EETS, 75L, etc, etc.
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Neil1911
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Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:00 pm
Location: Sheffield, England

Post by Neil1911 »

I could cope with a tent but it would be solitary, if you know what I mean ;)
http://www.porsche-code.com/PP37WLA6, a Dolomite Silver S, collected from Stockport OPC on Valentine's Day 2023, after a 399 day wait.
Ex.: Gen2 S, Volcano grey 1/9/19 - 3/2/23 & 39,235 Smiles, RIP
bobajob
Posts: 119
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 6:24 pm

Post by bobajob »

Hi Old Chimer,

I tow a caravan with Macan, there are a few of us out there!

You are correct, the official Porsche tow bar only has electrics for trailer lighting with no power for fridge, battery charging etc. I have teh official twobar and it's a lovely pit of kit especuialy after living with fixed and manualy detachable tow bars. I made a decision to tow without the additional electrics, I'm fine without but I do understand how important oit could be depending on how you use your van.

There are 3rd party options, both detachable and retractable but you then get into the warranty issue. I spoke to a local towbar specialist who reckon they can add power to the existing installation but again you have a potential warranty issue.

My OPC did say they had come across this before and the owner rigged up a cable that plugged into the 12v socket in the boot and a socket they had wired into the van.

I was happy to do without as a previous car only had single electrics and we managed fine. What I would say is that the Macan effortlessly tows my 1350kg caravan and is very stable, better than the Hyundai Santa Fe I towed with previously.

So I'm afraid now real answer for you but at least confirms your original post.
Old Chimer
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:42 am

Post by Old Chimer »

bobajob wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:36 am Hi Old Chimer,

I tow a caravan with Macan, there are a few of us out there!
Hi Bobajob, that's good to know, thank you, and many thanks also for confirming my understanding and for all the additional info - much appreciated. Particularly pleased to hear you say it makes such a stable tow car. Our 'van is a little heavier at 1440kg (fully laden) but still well within both the specified towing limit and the 85% 'rule'.

It would be a much more elegant solution to have pins 9,10 & 11 wired, but I guess I'll have to live with it if Porsche still can't offer warrantable solution.

Order placed today!
'22 Macan S, GB, 14W/XL, AAS, PA/SV, ACC, LCA, PG, HF/RS, VFS, EETS, 75L, etc, etc.
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