Trailer Accessories

About Trailer Accessories

Whether you're hauling equipment to site, transporting motorcross bikes to events, or towing a caravan for the weekend, having the right trailer accessories is essential for safe, legal, and hassle-free towing. At TooledUp, our comprehensive range of trailer accessories includes everything from electrical connectors and lighting boards to tie-down systems and coupling components. These essential items ensure your trailer meets UK road safety regulations whilst providing the functionality you need for secure transportation.

Modern trailer accessories have evolved significantly, with LED lighting systems offering superior visibility and longevity compared to traditional bulbs, and wireless trailer light sets providing convenient alternatives to hardwired installations. Our selection includes both 7-pin N-type and 13-pin Euro socket systems, catering to various vehicle and trailer configurations. From basic trailer boards to sophisticated fog light systems, static cranes for loading operations, and professional-grade ratchet tie-down straps, we stock quality products predominantly from trusted brands like Sealey and Draper.

Proper trailer accessories aren't just about compliance—they're about protecting your valuable cargo, ensuring other road users can see your intentions clearly, and giving you confidence that your load is secure throughout your journey. Whether you're a professional tradesman making daily site visits or a weekend DIY enthusiast, investing in quality trailer accessories is an investment in safety and peace of mind.

Jargon Buster

7-Pin N-Type Socket

The traditional UK towing socket standard featuring seven round pins, commonly found on older vehicles and basic trailer applications. Provides essential functions including indicators, brake lights, and side lights.

13-Pin Euro Socket

The modern European standard towing connector offering more functions than the 7-pin system, including reverse lights, permanent 12V power, and caravan-specific features. Now standard on most newer vehicles across the UK and Europe.

Trailer Board

A portable lighting unit that sits at the rear of a trailer, displaying brake lights, indicators, number plate lights, and sometimes fog lights. Essential for vehicles without integrated trailer lighting systems.

Ratchet Tie-Down

A tensioning strap system using a ratchet mechanism to secure cargo firmly to a trailer bed. The ratchet provides mechanical advantage for achieving proper load restraint tension without excessive physical effort.

Fast Lock System

A quick-release securing mechanism particularly popular for motorcross bikes and motorcycles, allowing rapid loading and unloading whilst maintaining exceptional hold strength.

Static Mounted Crane

A fixed lifting device attached to a trailer or vehicle for loading and unloading heavy equipment, offering controlled lifting capacity for materials that cannot be manually handled.

Who Uses Trailer Accessories?

Trailer accessories are essential equipment for a diverse range of professionals and enthusiasts:

• Builders and Construction Contractors – transporting tools, materials, and equipment between sites daily
• Landscapers and Groundworkers – hauling machinery, paving slabs, soil, and landscaping materials
• Electricians and Plumbers – carrying pipe work, cable drums, and specialist equipment to various job locations
• Plant Hire Companies – moving mini-diggers, compactors, and other hired machinery
• Motorcycle Enthusiasts – transporting bikes to race events, track days, or repair workshops
• Caravan Owners – requiring proper electrical connections and safety equipment for towable accommodation
• Car Transporters – using specialist tie-down systems for vehicle recovery and transportation
• Farmers and Agricultural Workers – moving livestock trailers, feed, and farm equipment
• DIY Enthusiasts – occasional users needing reliable equipment for house moves or material collection

How to Choose the Right Trailer Accessories

Selecting appropriate trailer accessories depends on several key factors that ensure compatibility, safety, and legal compliance:

Electrical Compatibility: First determine whether your vehicle has a 7-pin N-type or 13-pin Euro socket. Many modern vehicles feature 13-pin systems, which offer additional functionality. If you have a 7-pin vehicle but a 13-pin trailer (or vice versa), adaptors are readily available to bridge the gap. Always verify which system your setup requires before purchasing electrical components.

Lighting Requirements: Consider whether you need a basic trailer board with standard rear lights or a more comprehensive system including fog lights for enhanced visibility. LED trailer boards offer superior brightness, lower power consumption, and longer lifespan compared to traditional bulb systems. Wireless trailer light sets provide excellent convenience for occasional users or situations where permanent wiring isn't practical.

Load Securing Needs: The type and weight of cargo dictates your tie-down requirements. Ratchet straps come with different load ratings—ensure your chosen straps exceed your cargo weight with adequate safety margin. Specialist applications like motorcycle transport benefit from dedicated fast-lock systems that prevent movement without risking damage to paintwork or components.

Weather Protection: Look for trailer accessories with appropriate IP (Ingress Protection) ratings for water and dust resistance, particularly for electrical components exposed to British weather conditions. Quality connectors with proper sealing prevent corrosion and electrical faults.

Build Quality and Brand Reputation: Professional-grade accessories from established brands like Sealey and Draper offer reliability and durability that cheaper alternatives often lack. For frequent commercial use, the investment in quality equipment pays dividends through reduced failures and replacement costs.

Popular Accessories

Complement your trailer accessories with these related products:

• Spare trailer lamps and bulb sets for emergency replacements
• Additional ratchet tie-down straps in various lengths and load capacities
• Trailer jack stands for levelling and maintenance work
• Connector cleaning brushes and contact spray for electrical maintenance
• Reflective safety triangles and high-visibility vests for roadside situations
• Trailer locks and security devices to prevent theft
• Number plate holders and clips
• Spare wheel carriers and mounting brackets
• Load restraint nets and tarpaulins for open trailers
• Socket testers for verifying electrical connections

Safety Information

Trailer safety is paramount and governed by UK road traffic regulations. All trailer lighting must be functioning correctly before any journey—check indicators, brake lights, and side lights every time you connect your trailer. Ensure your trailer board or lighting system is securely mounted and cables are routed safely away from moving parts, sharp edges, and road surfaces.

When using tie-down straps, inspect them before each use for signs of wear, fraying, or damage. Never exceed the stated working load limit, and ensure straps are positioned to prevent load shifting during transit. Loads should be distributed evenly and secured at multiple points. The HSE provides guidance on safe load securing that all commercial operators should follow.

Electrical connections must be clean, dry, and properly seated to prevent short circuits or connection failure. Water ingress into sockets can cause corrosion and electrical faults—consider using protective covers when connections aren't in use. For vehicles operating commercially, regular inspection and maintenance of towing equipment is not just good practice but a legal requirement under operator licensing regulations.

Always verify that your vehicle's towing capacity isn't exceeded by the combined weight of trailer and cargo. Overloading can affect braking performance, vehicle handling, and potentially invalidate insurance cover.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The 7-pin N-type is the older UK standard providing basic lighting functions (indicators, brake lights, side lights, fog light, earth, and permanent/switched power). The 13-pin Euro socket is now standard on modern vehicles and offers additional features including reverse light activation, dedicated caravan interior power supply, and better earth connections. Adaptors allow compatibility between the two systems.

Do I need a trailer board if my trailer has built-in lights?

If your trailer has permanently fitted, functioning lights that are correctly wired to your vehicle's electrical system, a trailer board isn't necessary. However, trailer boards provide an excellent portable solution for occasional towing, trailers without integrated lighting, or as emergency backup lighting if your main system fails.

How tight should ratchet tie-down straps be?

Straps should be tensioned firmly enough to eliminate any movement of the cargo but not so tight that they damage the load or deform the trailer. For most applications, you should be unable to lift the strap more than 25-50mm away from the cargo surface. Over-tensioning can damage both the strap and your cargo, whilst under-tensioning risks load shift during transit.

Are LED trailer boards better than traditional bulb versions?

LED trailer boards offer several advantages: they're brighter and more visible in poor conditions, draw less power from your vehicle's electrical system, are virtually immune to vibration damage, and LEDs last significantly longer than traditional bulbs. Whilst LED boards have a higher initial cost, they typically prove more economical and reliable over time.

Can I fit my own trailer electrics or should I use a professional?

Basic accessories like trailer boards simply plug into existing sockets and require no installation. However, fitting a towing socket to a vehicle involves working with the vehicle's electrical system, which on modern vehicles can be complex with CAN-bus systems and coding requirements. Unless you have appropriate electrical knowledge and diagnostic equipment, professional installation by a qualified auto-electrician is recommended to ensure proper functionality and avoid potential warranty issues.