200 series Landcruiser factory trailer plug

The wire will be the same size, so yes you can just change it, I changed one of mine to a flat plug to suit the boat and all my trailers, to put a new wire loom through is not a small job, in fact you have to take half the car apart to get to the plug that you need to connect the loom to, or so I am told.

Toby,
The wiring is the same. only needs the soicket to be changed Toyota have the extra bracket / rubber boot /socket and screw set.

Just be sure to buy a quality plug, and IMO metal is more durable. There's some rubbish out there.

Toby
If you haven't actually bought the van yet, you could get the changing of the plug done by the dealer as part of the purchase.
I did that when I upgraded a van and had to go to a 12 pin plug. I realise that's not the same, but it's worth a try.

Keep safe out there

Regards
TJ

The reason I decided to go with the 7 pin large trailer plug and a 50 amp Anderson plug was the feed back I've received from several caravan owners saying that the 12 pin flat plug would struggle supplying reliable 12 volt power to run my large 12v 190L compressor fridge/freezer and charging system for my three 120amp batteries. As this is my first van and I'm definitely not a sparky I'm glad to take any feedback I can get.

Thank you

Toby

Hi Toby

I purchased a new 200 and chose to install my own trailer wiring loom. It is the dedicated Toyota loom...Don't use anything else

What I can tell you is this

1) The loom is the standard 7 wire
2) The blue electronic brake wire terminates (feeding back from the trailer plug) and a short access end is left outside the wiring harness insulation ( for access at a later date) it is basically behind the back drivers side tail light...awaiting the electronic brake controller wire to be attached
3) To access this necessitates the rear side panel to be removed along with both the drivers side kick sills to lay the wire from there to the brake controller placed upfront
4) If you have the dealer install the tow wiring harness be aware that it is standard for them to wire as per the install instructions.....this will mean that pin # 2 (brown) will be live each time you select reverse...it is rare for any towed trailer in this country to have reversing lights in the lens and this connection is often used as a power supply for accessories in a trailer/van or to in some cases to power the breakaway electric brake battery

A) So what does this mean?..........you are better off having the electric brake controller installed the same time as the trailer wiring harness otherwise at some stage you will pay for some labour twice over in the removal of access panels.
B) Be aware that unless otherwise instructed the brown wire pin #2 will be live at the trailer socket unless you instruct otherwise
C) Does this really matter?...well it might in some circumstances if you hook up a trailer/van and the male plug pin 2 is set up for something else such as charging a house battery when the vehicle is running...no charge of course unless your in reverse

As for wiring size...I chose to replace the blue electric brake wire right through inside the original Toyota harness right through to the trailer plug...........probably wasn't necessary....might not do that again....bit of a mission and I regretted that decision half way through the process.......I did it because I tow a heavy 4 wheel braking caravan and I wanted to be totally sure I would get no voltage drop in the brakes

cheers

Welcome to the Lotus family Toby, mines a Freelander without bunks (although the Grandkids do keep asking!!!).

I currently tow with a Prado, but will be upgrading to a 200 at the end of next year.

I'm heading over your way in 2015, might see you on the road!!

Toby, no great drama's but like every van there's always a few little issues that have to be sorted and yours may not have any of the same things happen.

For us we had,

Basin in ensuite out of alignment, had to be reseated.
Outside 12 volt point didn't work (believe it or not there was a packet of screws in behind it).
We had 3 draw locks (called shell locks.....not even sure if still in use) break on the very first trip, more on those below.
The TV kept blowing fuses and had to be replaced (in first few days.....not really a Lotus fault as such but they did replace it).

And then after our first trip,

We found the back wall was starting to split, not profoundly but they have needed to take out the panel and replace.
And IF.......they are still using the shell locks, these break very easily, they are very aware of it AND I suggest you ask for a few spares to take with you. Also the little round knobs (That you push in to open) just rattle off, even on tar roads, so these need a VERY small drop of locktight on them, and screw them back on so the don't do that.

Couple of suggestions (if you van isn't underway already).

If planning on using a Vast Satellite system (and perhaps Foxtel as well if you have Sat Foxtel over there), get them to install an extra 12 Volt plug at the inside and outside TV area, and also dual connectors to run your Sat Cords through the van and to the inside point......I have added these aftermarket but would have been neater done at Factory.

Assume you are having a Gas Connector for a Webber BBQ put in, suggest you have two put in one at the front and one at the back, its not always convenient to position your BBQ at just one place.

Also ensure you have at least two, and depending on the size maybe three outside lights, especially one over or near each BBQ cooking point.

I "think" they are supplying the Trail A Mate jack / jockey wheel set up with the vans now, I had to buy one......these are easier to use as the jockey wheel (use the flat plate not the wheel) for everyday use HOWEVER get them to put an extra coupling on so you can use both the Trail a Mate and the standard Jockey wheel if necessary.....sounds strange, and has only been required by me once but if you are on a steep angle where your drawbar has to be almost or on the ground you may need two jacks to "graduate" the lift off and on the tow hitch.

Lastly, can I suggest two things

There's a fantastic Lotus Owners Forum that will answer these (and many more) questions.....you'll need to join (Ian Fraser is the owner and will approve you), here's the link

http://lotuscaravanownersgroup.freeforums.org/

There's also a great Facebook page as well look for Lotus Caravan Owners (again Ian or Geoff will have to approve you)

Hope this helps and maybe we "catch up" on the Forum or Facebook for more