2018 Caravans with L.E.D. Roadlights

We had this concern when we bought the Sterling.  We took the car and hooked it up to an Sterling on display and were able confirm all was OK.  

no. his board was for and was fitted with LED lights.

Sorry, I didn’t realise the tow bar fitters had got sophisticated enough to include led testing.

I took delivery of a Swift last year.

I have a bypass system so expected no issues, however although everything worked ok the indicator buzz noise wasn't working.

So I did have a VLM box fitted, it took the fitter 10 mins to fit and is plug and play.

Just make sure that you hook your car up to the new van and test everything before you pay, I got mine FOC.

everything worked ok the indicator buzz noise wasn't working.

That was a bonus then ....... 😊 I'd have removed it if it did buzz 

The VLM Boxes were first introduced by Swift about three years ago when the Swift Elegance was introduced with LED lights. The previous posts are quite correct in that there are several VLM boxes depending on the vehicle. When introduced Swift also supplied dealers with a mock lighting board with all the external lights, ie front and side markers to test vehicles. At the time I worked in caravan despatch at Derby Caravan Centre and suggested that all purchasers of Swift caravans with LED lights called to see us in advance of delivery to check whether a VLM box was required. The boxes were supplied foc by Swift.

Have you checked out the electrical section in your cars handbook or online manual, there is a specific warning in my Merc handbook with reference to trailer LED`s and problems that can be encountered due the low resistance LED`s provide

I telephoned a very trusted Swift dealership Catterick Caravans and their technical chap advised me that my 2015 should have no problems as Ford have seen to this in this it’s wiring set up.

I'm towing a Swift 2016 Elegence with led lights all round using a Discovery Sport. The road lights on the caravan worked but the tow car was unaware of its presence hence no trailer sign on the dash board when indicating and the reversing sensors on the car activated when reversing as the car thought it was too close to something. The solution was to buy a Sargent VLM 4 box (cost £36 with a £10 discount direct from Sargent). Its purpose is to increase the 'load' of the low wattage LED bulbs so that the tow car recognises a caravan is hooked up. I fitted it myself which is a simple job of unplugging  snap link plugs  and inserting the matching Sargent plugs in-between them. The only slight problem was the wiring of the VLM is fairly short and in the case of the Swift was tight on space. All works fine and in the case of Landrovers also activated the trailer stability feature. If your car needs it the Sargent device is definitely worth fitting. I emailed a picture to Sargent pointing out the problem of the wiring being short so hopefully they will have addressed it.

I have a 67plate Kia Sportage Gt Line 2 Ltr which I’m hoping doesn’t have this problem with my 2014 Swift Elegance 480. My previous Nissan Xtrail did have the problem so my caravan is already fitted with a module.   I’ve already rung Sargent about it and been told to hook it up to check. Hooking it up Monday to see what happens.

sheila