Electrical Components
Many older cars took the feeds for the trailer's lights directly from the towing vehicles rear light circuits. As bulb-check systems were introduced in the 1990s "by-pass relays" were introduced. These took a small signal from the rear lights to switch a relay which in turn powered the trailer's lights with its own power feed. Many towing electrical installations, including vehicle-specific kits incorporate some form of bypass relays.
In the US trailer lights usually has a shared light for brake and turn indicator. If such a trailer is to be connected to a car with separate lamps for turn indicator and brake a Trailer light converter is needed.
Nowadays some vehicles are being fitted with CANbus networks, and some of these use the CANbus to connect the tow bar electrics to various safety systems and controls. For vehicles that use the CANbus to activate towing-related safety systems, a wiring kit that can interact appropriately must be used. Without such a towbar wiring kit the vehicle can not detect the presence of a trailer and can therefore not activate safety features such as Trailer stability program which can electronically control a snaking trailer or caravan.
By-pass systems are very cost effective but are not appropriate on cars with interactive safety features.
Read more about this topic: Trailer (vehicle)
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