Here are some of the related towing systems you may have in a vehicle, which ‘need to see’ the trailer when it is plugged in:  

    * Brake electronics

    * Suspension system (ASS)

    * Engine electronics

    * Engine cooling system

    * Cruise control

    * Parking aids

    * Reversing camera

    * Lane change assistant

Each of the above systems is affected in different ways when a trailer is ‘detected’. Vital systems such as engine cooling and brake electronics will function and react differently. TSP ('Trailer Stability Program') is one feature that is being added to more and more vehicles, to help correct the ‘snaking’ action of a trailer, but with such advanced technology, braking systems have even evolved further by being operated electronically, without the need for hydraulics. Braking has become more controlled with faster braking efficiency when towing. Suspension systems can now detect a trailer and allow for a more level towing adjustment when the load is applied on the towing hitch. ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) systems are meant to ‘detect’ a trailer in order to create a greater braking distance between vehicles.

With such advances, why accept towing electrics that ‘hide’ the trailer?

To ‘by-pass’ all the above safety systems is potentially disastrous as your vehicle is designed to behave in a different way as soon as you couple up your trailer or caravan. In addition to this, the manufacturer of the car has either put a connector in the vehicle, which is a preparation on the network to accept a specially designed towing module, or has designed the trailer to be ‘detected’ through connections directly onto the databus. With these types of connections the vehicle will know when a trailer plug is connected to the socket.    

If you accept a ‘by-pass’ solution, it is most likely the towbar installer will make connections onto the lighting harness of the vehicle. This can prove to be contrary to what the manufacturer has intended. Therefore, any connections made in this way can also result in potentially restricted warranties. Not only that, but many network vehicles will ‘switch off’ any supply to a rear lamp on the vehicle should the bulb fail. This will mean, for example, should the bulb fail on the car, the system will shut off the supply until the bulb is repaired. This results in no functioning brake lights on the caravan or trailer! In order for your vehicle to ‘see’ the trailer, it is important you accept a vehicle specific electrical installation: a wiring solution that ‘communicates’ with the car.

What about cost?

It is vitally important that towbar installations are no longer perceived as a cheap commodity. The towbar is virtually the ONLY accessory that interacts with the vehicle in such detail. NO OTHER accessory affects the way the vehicle behaves or performs. This must give the towbar installation a higher value other than a ‘lump’ of metal bolted to the car!

Here are some things to be considered:

    * A towbar has to be the most important accessory in terms of safety

    * A towbar electrical specific vehicle installation is the most interactive of any accessory

    * A towbar installation has become so ‘specialised’ and is becoming even more so

    * A towbar installation often requires a diagnostic intervention using ‘specialist’ tools

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We only fit top quality towbars from Witter, Bosal and Westfalia

For a quote please call 01284 387000

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