Tow Balls & Hitches

About Tow Balls & Hitches

Tow balls and hitches are essential components for anyone who needs to tow trailers, caravans, horse boxes, or other towable equipment safely and legally on UK roads. Whether you're a professional tradesperson regularly transporting plant machinery and materials, or a DIY enthusiast heading to the tip with a trailer full of garden waste, having the right towing equipment is crucial for road safety and compliance with UK towing regulations.

This category encompasses a comprehensive range of towing equipment, including E-approved tow balls in standard 50mm sizes, tow ball covers for protection when not in use, secure tow ball locks to prevent theft, and various towing plugs and sockets. We stock quality products from trusted brands including Sealey and Draper, covering both the modern 13-pin Euro standard and the older 7-pin N-type and S-type connections still commonly found on many trailers and caravans across the UK.

From basic tow ball covers to complete conversion leads that allow you to connect newer vehicles to older trailers, our range ensures you have the right connection every time. Professional-grade towing hitches with capacities up to 750kg provide reliable coupling solutions for light commercial applications, whilst trailer hitch locks add an extra layer of security when your vehicle and trailer are left unattended on site or at home.

Jargon Buster

• 13-Pin Euro Connector: The modern European standard for towing electrics, providing power for lights, indicators, reverse lights, and supplementary functions like caravan interior power and battery charging. Now fitted as standard on most vehicles manufactured since 2008.
• 7-Pin N-Type: The traditional UK towing socket providing 12V power for basic trailer lighting functions including indicators, brake lights, and side lights. Still widely used on older trailers and agricultural equipment.
• E-Approved/E-Marked: Indicates the tow ball meets European safety standards and is legal for road use in the UK. Look for the 'E' mark followed by a number on approved towing components.
• Noseweight: The downward force exerted by the trailer coupling onto the tow ball, typically ranging from 50kg to 100kg depending on vehicle specifications. Exceeding your vehicle's maximum noseweight can affect handling and safety.
• Flanged Tow Ball: A tow ball with a fixed flange that bolts directly to the vehicle's tow bar, as opposed to detachable ball mounts. Standard 50mm diameter balls are universal across UK and European trailers.
• Conversion Lead: An adapter cable allowing different plug types to connect, such as connecting a 13-pin vehicle socket to a 7-pin trailer plug, ensuring compatibility across different towing standards.

Who Uses Tow Balls & Hitches?

• Landscape Gardeners and Groundworkers: Regularly towing plant trailers, mini-diggers, and equipment between job sites
• Builders and General Tradespeople: Transporting materials, waste, and tools in trailers to various work locations
• Agricultural Workers and Farmers: Connecting various farm machinery, livestock trailers, and equipment
• Vehicle Recovery Professionals: Using towing hitches for recovery operations and transporting disabled vehicles
• Caravan and Motorhome Owners: Connecting caravans for leisure travel or towing cars behind motorhomes
• DIY Enthusiasts and Homeowners: Occasional towing for tip runs, moving materials, or transporting equipment
• Equestrian Users: Towing horse boxes and trailers to events, stables, and competitions
• Plant Hire Companies: Ensuring fleet vehicles have compatible towing equipment for customer use

How to Choose the Right Tow Balls & Hitches

Check Your Vehicle's Towing Capacity: Before purchasing any towing equipment, verify your vehicle's maximum towing weight, noseweight limit, and whether it's fitted with a Type-Approved tow bar. This information is found in your vehicle handbook or on the VIN plate.

Electrical Connection Type: Identify whether you need 13-pin Euro, 7-pin N-type, or 7-pin S-type connections. Modern vehicles typically feature 13-pin sockets, whilst older trailers may have 7-pin plugs. Conversion leads are available to bridge compatibility gaps between different standards.

E-Approval Compliance: Always choose E-approved tow balls that meet UK and European safety standards. Using non-approved equipment can invalidate your insurance and result in prosecution if involved in an accident whilst towing.

Tow Ball Size and Type: Standard 50mm diameter tow balls are universal across the UK. Ensure the ball neck length and flange configuration match your tow bar. Some applications may require a specific reach or offset to clear rear-mounted spare wheels or bumpers.

Security Features: Consider tow ball locks if leaving your vehicle unattended on site or in public areas. These prevent opportunistic theft of both the tow ball itself and any attached trailer. Reflective tow ball covers improve visibility and protect the ball from corrosion when not in use.

Load Capacity: If using pin couplings or specialised hitches, verify the working load limit meets or exceeds your typical towing requirements. Sealey towing hitches, for example, are rated for specific capacities such as 750kg for light commercial use.

Popular Accessories

• Tow Ball Covers: Protect unused tow balls from weather corrosion and prevent injuries from exposed balls. Reflective versions improve visibility
• Tow Ball Locks: Security devices preventing theft of expensive tow balls and deterring trailer theft
• Extension Leads: 6-metre or longer cables providing flexibility when connecting to trailers with awkwardly positioned plugs
• Socket Testers: Essential diagnostic tools for checking electrical connections before towing
• Trailer Boards: Temporary lighting solutions for trailers without built-in electrics
• Breakaway Cables: Safety requirement for braked trailers, activating trailer brakes if the coupling fails
• Grease and Lubricants: Regular maintenance products to keep couplings operating smoothly and prevent seizing
• Towing Mirrors: Legal requirement when towing wide loads that obscure standard wing mirrors

Safety Information

Towing safely requires proper equipment installation and regular maintenance. Always ensure your tow ball is correctly torqued to manufacturer specifications - typically between 50-130Nm depending on the model. An improperly secured tow ball can work loose with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Check your trailer lights function correctly before every journey using a socket tester or asking someone to observe whilst you operate the vehicle controls. Faulty lighting is a common cause of roadside stops and can result in fixed penalty notices.

Never exceed your vehicle's maximum towing capacity or noseweight limits. Overloading affects braking distances, steering response, and stability, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Distribute trailer loads with approximately 60% of weight towards the front for optimal stability.

UK law requires specific driving licence entitlements for towing, depending on your licence date and combined vehicle/trailer weight. Drivers who passed their test after 1 January 1997 may need to take an additional B+E test for larger trailers.

Regularly inspect electrical connections for corrosion, particularly if towing in winter conditions where road salt accelerates deterioration. Clean connections with electrical contact cleaner and apply dielectric grease to maintain reliable operation and prevent short circuits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 13-pin and 7-pin towing sockets?

The 13-pin Euro connector is the modern standard providing power for all trailer lighting plus additional functions like interior power, reversing lights, and battery charging for caravans. The 7-pin N-type provides basic lighting functions only and is commonly found on older trailers. Conversion leads allow you to connect different types together.

Do I need an E-approved tow ball?

Yes, absolutely. E-approved tow balls meet European safety standards and are a legal requirement for road use in the UK. Using non-approved equipment can invalidate your insurance and may result in prosecution if an accident occurs whilst towing. Look for the 'E' marking on any tow ball you purchase.

How often should I replace my tow ball?

Replace your tow ball if you notice any cracks, excessive wear, deformation, or surface damage. Even minor damage can compromise the coupling's integrity. Regular inspection is essential, particularly if you tow frequently. Surface rust can be cleaned, but deep corrosion or pitting indicates replacement is necessary.

Can I fit a tow ball myself?

If you have a detachable tow bar system, replacing the tow ball is straightforward using the correct tools and torque specifications. However, fitting a complete tow bar assembly should be carried out by a qualified professional to ensure proper installation and Type Approval compliance. Incorrectly fitted towing equipment is extremely dangerous.

Why does my trailer plug keep corroding?

Corrosion is common in towing electrics due to road spray, salt, and moisture exposure. Regular cleaning with electrical contact cleaner and application of dielectric grease significantly reduces corrosion. Store unused plugs in protective covers and ensure socket covers are fitted to vehicles when not towing to prevent water ingress.