Hi all,

I have just had to poke about with my towing electrics (fitted by the PO). The trailer tail lights stopped working but all the other trailer lights work fine. I suspected a broken wire or dodgy pin in the connector but no.... it is the "Ryder smart 7 bypass relay".

This unit is a generic aftermarket device that takes signals from the car rear lights and, using a few relays, switches the trailer lights on accordingly. The idea being that no "power" is taken from the car lighting wires, just signal information. Anyway, the tail light relay must be broken so it needs replacing I guess.

I could buy a new one, at about £35 and fit it no problem. Or I could buy a proper Land Rover wiring loom/module. I understand I might get better functionality from a proper Land Rover interface as the car will "know" I have a trailer fitted and alter operational parameters accordingly.

Does anyone have a part number for the proper Land rover electrics and an idea of price? Is it worth doing or should I just stick to the cheap generic towing electrics of the Ryder part.

I would very much welcome your thoughts or information on the subject.

Oh, it's a 2004 V8 vogue.

Zeus 2004 4.4 V8 Vogue

Dan (Duckworth) quoted me around £185 for twin N and S electrics and trailer module. This was for a 2008.

Presume earlier types similarly priced but don't have part numbers.

Think you can pick up the modules used on the bay as well as electrics. PFJones (towbar people) also do dedicated kits.

have a ring around, they seem to vary slightly in price, you will get better functionality from the LR unit as it will know if there is a trailer attached, but to be honest i doubt that you would notice any difference in the actual towing of a trailer, or caravan.

I have had generic wiring on my 5 series and skoda and dedicated wiring on the FF, not really any noticeable difference between them in terms of towing, but the dedicated unit will tell the car to deactivate the parking sensors when reversing, lock out some of the suspension settings, and something about the fogs too afaik, the FF units are plug and play, and there is some debate as to whether they need coding into the car to get everything working as it should, i had mine done at a local LR garage for a few quid, and all works fine and dandy. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
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