Towbar Electric Socket Fitted Facing Downwards

The chances are slim that your caravan will detach from your car, but if it did, I'd say the 13 pin plug will be the least of your worries. 

I assume the socket is fixed. Maybe Tow Trust are just saving a couple of quid by not having a swing up & out of sight socket.

Found this .... https://gttowing.co.uk/product/towtrust-rotating-socket-mounting-plate-/ maybe you could fit one?

I quite agree!

I have never heard of or seen a socket pointing downwards I would have thought this would result in the plug and cable being lower than necessary

Yes, that was my concern too....

I may contact Tow Trust on Monday to confirm whether this is correct or not

I too have never heard of a socket facing downwards, how can you see where the plug aligns and go in? Also won't it necessitate definitely being on your knees to achieve this?

Yes you do have to get on your knees to fit the plug but once you know which way round it goes, thats not a problem. My concern was proximity of cable to the road. I also thought the plug was designed to pull straight out backwards should your trailer detach (assuming the socket is fitted in the normal way).

This is a photo of how the socket is fitted (there is a cover over the socket)

you shouldn't really have to get on your knees each time you want to hitch up. Also one idea of a detachable tow bar and electrics is that you cannot see it when not needed? but that appears to visible and quite close to the ground. Mine swivels away under the bumper

my electrics also swivel up out of sight too using a similar up to that I linked to (mine's a Bosal detachable)

The socket on my Touareg (which was dealer fitted) is attached to the rear valance and as a consequence is pointing about 45 degrees downwards.  Not ideal by any means but I have got used to it. I also experienced a problem with the cable dragging on the ground when I first used it, but fortunately I spotted it before any real damage was done. I now have a bit of string around it which I tie to the ATC handle, having allowed enough slack for turning etc.