2025 ZS EV tow bar options??

[gonzo]

I'm looking for a tow bar kit to fit to my ZS EV.

Apparently the design changed post September 2024.
So the last batch of cars built need a different tow bar style. At least that is what the bar manufacturers say.

All the companies I've spoken to don't have one on their inventory yet.
Wonder if anyone has found one/had one fitted on a post 09/2024 build ZS EV??

 

[yellowmitch]

As far as I'm aware all zs EV have the same towbar as the body design never changed. This even includes the older MK1 pre facelift cars. It may be that the plug n play factory wiring solution changed but I can easily tell you how to confirm this as there's a multi plug with a blanking plug located in the rear right boot space behind the side carpet trim.

I wired into this multi plug with a universal 7 way bypass relay and it works perfectly.

In fact, I removed a genuine wittere detachable towbar from my mates zs EV prior to him selling it and that's how the mg dealer did it too.

I have the witter detachable towbar for sale if you are interested

Alan 07714455344

 

[gonzo]

Alan

Interesting.

Thanks for the offer.
I will have a look behind the trim and see if that connector is there.

Jules

 

[yellowmitch]

It should be and is easy to wire to.

If you would like to buy the towbar give me a shout

 

[gonzo]

Thanks, will do.
Waiting for the rain to stop today, to pull back the trim and look for the connector.

 

[gonzo]

Just for anyone searching for info on the trailer multi-connector behind the carpet on the right of the boot...

The mating part (the bit on the tow electrics) is a:
KET SDL series 14way female, part no. MG 610406
(The MG in the part number is just coincidental, as far as I can see.)

Catalogue:

http://ketco.co.kr/data/ketcatalogue.pdf

Page 94

I brought some from Aliexpress, using the part number as a search. And confirm that they are the correct part.
I'll update with the pinouts when I get to tracing it out.

 

[gonzo]

Use the following at your own risk.


Reverse engineered on my 25reg ZS SE LR.

Function      Loom              Loom     Function

PDC Enable    B       |O  O|    B        PDC HI
              -       |O  O|    N        LH ind
              -       |O  O|    -
Reverse       Y       |O   | 
                      |- [= 
Tail          R/W     |O   |
Brake         R/N     |O  O|    -
RH ind        G/W     |O  O|    B        GND
Fog lamp      R/W     |O  O|    U/S      Fog drive

View from back of car connector
(Front of mating half)

Connect PDC Enable to PDC HI, to enable reversing sensors.
Connect Fog lamp to Fog drive, to enable fog lamp on car.

The car has a blanking plug fitted as standard. think links the pins to complete the circuit for the fog lamp. And for the sense line that tells the car to enable the reversing sensors.
You would need to either find a tow connector that has a switch, to break these circuits when there is a tow bar plugged in. Or possibly use a DPST switch, accessible in the boot, to switch over when you connect a tow-board. Or put fixed links in your connector and put up with the beeping from the reversing warning (and the fog lamp lighting up your trailer/bike carrier.)

I would suggest using a relay box to isolate the car from your tow-board. I am using a universal one, called TEB7AS.
You will need to plan bringing a 12V feed from the battery. Don't be tempted to use the one on this multi-connector. It probably comes from an ECU, which you don't want to damage.

The PDC sense link may also change the way the reversing cameras appear. But I'll update on this once I've use the system in anger.

 

[gonzo]

I did buy the Witter tow bar from Alan.
Finally got around to fitting it in my mk2 (25reg). It fitted fine, mechanically.
Have made up my own electrics, as in my previous post.

Not sure why the tow bar manufacturers were telling me that the post 09/24 build ZS were different and needed a specific tow bar??
Possibly there was some electrical changes??

 

[Pete G]

We have an Australian generation 1 ZS EV.
In Australia the Gen1 cars do not have a tow rating and do not have the plug for the trailer wiring in the car.
We asked a dealer to fit a towbar for us. MG Australia sent them a towbar that they said suited the VIN number of our car. They fitted the towbar only to find that there was no facilities to plug in the wiring. In the end they had to remove the towbar as I found out that our model was not tow rated in Australia. It is a pity that MG Australia did not inform the dealer of that , as it cost them quite a lot of time to fit and remove the towbar.