What towball and electric to fit

I had a detachable Westfalia with dedicated wiring. Spot on if a little expensive.  On a caravan that age you will only need the single electrics. 

Unsure if make matters, they should all be tested to EU standards.

In order of cost will probably be:

Fixed flange

Swan neck

Detachable

All depends on your tow car and your views on a fixed one (and your budget)

Our 2010 van has 13 pin which we have never had any trouble with so would suggest that BUT depends what is on any van you buy although that can be converted fairly easily with two cables into 13 pin plug.

IMHO and again depending on car, dedicated wiring is a must as it will ensure the car knows that a trailer is connected and make appropriate adjustments to any reversing sensors, rear fog lamps, trailer stability programme etc.

Make sure you get all pins connected for any ATC that may be fitted, battery charging and fridge.

Should be enjoying the Sun soon...

As above, but if funds are not really an issue then ask yourself if you want a permanent tow ball or a detachable one. Personally I don't like the towball and electrics showing and spoiling the looks of my car but that is just me. likewise for the electrics, it's a bit of a fiddle to attach but worth it.

I would get double electrics or you won't be able to charge your van's battery and/or use the fridge while towing, we don't but having a full charge on arrival is useful if you have a mover and as above for ATC. May not have those now but think ahead.

As to what make I think they are OK, ours came with the car factory fitted.

Just to clarify regarding the electrics: newer caravans have the 13 pin plug that works both the external road lights on the caravan and internal electrics to power the fridge when travelling.  Older caravans have the two plugs, one powering the external lights, and the other powering the internal electrics. What you get fitted partly depends on the age of the caravan you buy.  We originally had the two sockets fitted to work with our 2008 Abbey Gts.  We then bought a 2015 Swift Challenger with the 13 pin plug.  We got an adapter lead that has worked well enough, but have recently changed our car and will be getting a tow bar and 13 pin electrics fitted next week.  OH chose to get a fixed tow bar (swan neck) because he never got around to taking the old one off.  He doesn't bother about how it looks.

I can't comment on which 5 berth caravan to go for as we only have a 2 berth, however there can be a lot of pitfalls to look out for if you buy privately.  No doubt someone will be able to enlighten you with some advice on that.

By the way, when we first got a caravan we had a Witter tow bar fitted.  We got to the dealer to pick up our caravan and found it had the wrong ball on it to work with the Alko gear on the caravan.  Fortunately the caravan dealer was able to change it to a compatible one for us on the spot.  Just be careful.

If you intend to buy a  2012/13 or newer UK built caravan, it will have 13 pin electrics fitted as standard. If your towcar still has manufacturer's warranty you would be well advised to have dedicated 13 pin electrics fitted with your towbar to protect any outstanding warranty on the vehicle. 

 The caravan will probably have either an Alko or Winterhoff tow hitch which requires a flange or fixed extended towball. The flange towball can be fixed or removable. If your towcar has rear parking sensors, these will probably be affected by a fixed towbar 

Certainly our 2012 van had 13 pin electrics. I prefer a fixed  tow bar but we are all different

Just had a Witter fitted at our home by Towbar Express. They gave excellent advice and good value (I'm not on commission, honest). If you use sites with hook-up you only really need the single electrics. Hook up at home a couple days before your trip to get the fridge nice and cool and ensure your battery's charged for the mover (if you have one) then flick the fridge to 12v for the journey.There are so many sites with hook-ups these days, plus solar panels, and your friendly farmer will charge your battery (for a modest fee) I really don't think double-electrics are worth the extra money. I have a fixed swan neck by the way (the car I mean, not me personally!)

 I may be wrong but the fridge won't work with single electrics for the journey? Even if it did it will drain the van's battery?