Modern Vehicles & Towbar Electrics

Towing Electrics Test Rig

Towbar electrics and fitting of a towbar may in the past have been a relatively straightforward task.

A method called "bypass electrics" was employed by many, this hooked up the lighting system but your vehicle would have had no idea that or what it was towing.

Modern vehicles now have complex computer controlled systems so what was acceptable in the past may not have been an issue, but if you were to bypass the electrics on a modern computer controlled car it could result in a potentially disastrous situation.

Today's cars generally have intelligent monitoring systems that can detect if a vehicle is being towed and respond accordingly.

An example being it will deactivate the automatic fog light cut-off and parking sensor if detected.

Vital systems such as your engine cooling and brake electronics will function and react differently.

Braking will become more controlled and more efficient and TSP ( 'Trailer Stability Program') will, if fitted, help correct the snaking action of a trailer.