Caravan and trailer wiring in Brisbane

Sorting out caravan and trailer wiring in Brisbane before a trip up the Bruce Highway or out west? This page lists caravan and touring auto electricians in our directory and explains the towing electrics worth checking before you hitch up.

Caravan and touring auto electricians listed in Brisbane

23 businesses listed.

The list shows businesses in our 4WD, caravan and touring category. If it is short, the full directory has every auto electrician in Brisbane, and many general workshops also do towing work.

Plugs, sockets and the lights behind you

Most towing problems start at the plug. Australian vans and trailers commonly use a 7-pin flat, 7-pin round or 12-pin plug, and it is common to find a tow vehicle with one type and a van with another. Adaptors work, but a correctly wired matching socket is usually more reliable. Brisbane storms and boat ramp dunkings mean corrosion inside plugs is a regular culprit when indicators or brake lights stop working.

Our trailer plug wiring guide goes through the common pin layouts if you want to check yours before calling someone.

Electric brakes and brake controllers

Once a trailer’s loaded mass (ATM) goes over 750 kg it needs brakes, and above 2,000 kg ATM it also needs a breakaway system that applies the brakes if the van comes off the tow ball. Electric brakes only work with a brake controller fitted in the tow vehicle, wired to the battery and the brake circuit and adjusted to suit the load. State rules have more detail, so check current requirements with Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads rather than relying on general advice.

A good caravan auto electrician will set the controller gain with the van loaded the way you actually travel, test the breakaway battery and look at wire gauge, because undersized cable is a common reason brakes feel weak.

Power for the trip

Plenty of Brisbane caravanners head north to the Sunshine Coast and beyond, west along the Warrego, or south across the border, and they want the fridge running and the van battery charging on the way. That usually means a DC-DC charger, proper cable from the starting battery, and sometimes solar. Our dual battery and caravan setup guide covers the basics. Ask about:

  • Whether your vehicle’s smart alternator needs a DC-DC charger
  • Cable size for the distance from the engine bay to the van
  • Fusing and isolation at both ends
  • A test of every light and the brakes before you leave

Need someone to come to you? Try our mobile auto electricians. Towing with a truck or heavy vehicle is covered on our truck auto electrician page, and you can add a dash cam with rear view for the van. Browse local listings in Moreton Bay or Logan.

Wire caravans, trailers or brake controllers in Brisbane? Claim your free listing or add your business so touring customers can find a caravan auto electrician near them.