Towbar wiring connections:
When you are towing you will be required to display your rear number plate and a lighting board on the rear of the object being towed. In order to achieve this we use the signals from the vehicle to control the lighting board. The way in which we wire into your vehicle will vary firstly on the make/model/year & secondly your preference. The three main options can be broken down:
- Standard Hard Wire - Budget option for all vehicles without canbus or multiplex wiring.
- Canbus / Multiplex wiring - Compulsory for vehicles with canbus or multiplex wiring (nearly all manufacturers post 2004)
- Dedicated manufacturers approved wiring - Most professional option for vehicles with or without canbus or multiplex wiring. But always more expensive.
Please see more detailed information below:
1) Standard Hard Wire:
Using modern towing sockets with 'thin wall' (high current) cabling we connect to your car in the traditional way.
We do not use or recommend scotch locks as a permanent method for wiring into vehicle electrics.
2) Canbus / Multiplex towbar wiring:
Most vehicles manufactured within the last few years use very sophisticated multiplex or canbus wiring systems. This type of electrical system can be very complex, the circuits can not be modified because the cable voltages/resistances are monitored constantantly by the cars ECU. In order for additional electrics to be added onto your vehicle (eg: towbar electrics) we are forced to use a full Canbus Smart/Bypass relay. This relay system will ensure no additional load is applied to the car, therefore not causing any damage or malfunction to the vehicles on-board electronic computer (ECU) or bulb failure warning system.
Although a cure to the problems mentioned above a Smart Relay will not enable any kind of towing programme that can be found on many modern cars. Please check your handbook for terminology such as: T-ESP, TSP, DSC, VSC.
Common vehicles supporting Canbus/Multiplex wiring systems: most VAG from 2003, most GM vehicles from 2003, Citroen 2006 on, BMW 2000 on, Mercedes 2002 on, Saab 2004 on, Volvo 2006 on
3) Dedicated Manfacturers approved electrical kits:
Specifically designed for your vehicle make, model & engine type.
Dedicated electrical kits work in harmony with modern sensitive and complex wiring systems.
Each dedicated vehicle electrical kit will differ, some kits can change the way the vehicle functions whilst towing. They can also range in price from £50 to £250 upwards...and sometimes require the vehicles ECU to be programmed/updated at the dealership (even if a new car).
Dedicated tow bar wiring kits can aid installation of towing electrics. However they are not 'plug n play' and still require connections into the vehicles wiring loom or connections to the vehicle CanBus network system.
This type of wiring can often be more time consuming than the installation of standard towbar wiring
Key Advantages: (vehicle dependant)
- Manufacturer specifically designed and approved
- Any towing specific programme the car has will be enabled
- Hill start assist
- Crash anticipation
- Parking sensor cut-out whilst towing (stops constant beeping when hitched & parking)
- Rear fog cut-out on car only whilst towing (stops reflection from caravan)
- Trailer Stabilty Program enablement
- Suspension adjustments
- Braking adjustments
- Traction Control adjustments
- Aligns with manufacturers warranty & guidelines for installation of additional wiring.
For further information please refer to your manufacturers hand book under 'towing' or visit www.rightconnections.co.uk.
The Towing Buzzer:
It is advisable to have a bulb monitoring system when towing, our installations will be fitted with a piezo buzzer, this will primarily detect when a trailer is hitched-up to your vehicle, confirmation of this will be a beep/buzz from the buzzer every time the vehicle indicates left, right or when using hazards. The buzzer also reminds the driver that they are still towing, the piezo buzzer (installed in the boot) will sound every time the vehicle’s indicators are used when a trailer, caravan etc are being towed. No noise will be emmited once you have disconnected the towing socket.
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