Kategorie-Archiv: Tipps und Tricks

Maneuvering with a trailer, parking and normal driving is often not as easy as one would wish. For driving with a trailer, you do not only have to get used to the big yoke, but also always pay attention to the restrictions of the driver’s license.

Even with practice, maneuvering and reversing with the trailer is often the most difficult t ask. To make sure that this is no longer a hurdle, we have put together five tips that make reversing with a trailer easier and prepare you for the next shunting.

What you should look out for when maneuvering

1. Before you start driving and, for example, place the trailer in a parking space, you should make sure to adjust your mirrors so that you can see the trailer well. You may not neglect the interior mirror, this is of course much less used than usual, but it can be a help when reversing, since you can watch the trailer well in there and you can make out landmarks on the trailer. Of course, you might alreday know this from attaching, once you have no helper, attaching through landmarks on the trailer becomes easier even without help.
2. When going backwards, make sure you drive slowly and steer. The smaller the trailer, the more it reacts to your steering movements. So, if you slow things down a bit, you can avoid the trailer suddenly taking a position that you either could not predict or could not easily undo. If you are slow, you can brake at any time and react to movements of the trailer.
3. If you are not sure about the distances when parking, you should get a referrer to help you. If you do not have anyone, get out in between and see how much maneuvering space you still have.
4. Make sure the angle does not get too steep when reversing. Because the steeper the angle is, the more elaborate is the parking in the parking space for you. If possible, drive a bit farther away from the parking space, then relax in a gentle arc.
5. When choosing the parking space, you should make sure in advance that this is not only big enough, but you also have enough space to maneuver. Consider the length of your team and act accordingly anticipatory.

Every obstructed electrical kit offers the opportunity of being warned in case of a dysfunction, using a C2 controll lamp or another warning device. If, for example, a flashing light is broken at the trailer, your car will behave different than usual and the indicator lamp will indicate the malfunction and give a warning. We are going to explain to you, which indications there are, how they are shown with different eletrical kits and what you have to know about indicator lamps. Of course, these functions and indications suit legal regulations, which serve your security and must be taken into consideration already during developing and conceptualising the electrical kits.

Which tasks does a C2 controll lamp have?

A C2 controll lamp serves the surveillance of the flashing lights at the trailer and shows you as the driver if these lights function correctly. Therefore, the c2 controll lamps must always be installed within the visual field  of the driver in the cockpit. It blinks in the same rythym as do the flashing lights at the trailer and thus shows you, whether or not the lamps function correctly. If it blinks faster or not at all, a malfunction is indicated and you know that the trailer lamps must be corrected for a proper functioning.

How does an electronic warning device work?

In contrast to the C2 controll lights the electronic warning device is only activated when a malfunction is taking place. If a flashing light at the trailer fails, it is noticeable for the driver due to a higher blinking frequency.

Sinds enkele jaren is de PDC (Park Distance Control) standaard geïnstalleerd in auto’s. Bij het achteruitrijden detecteren sensoren met ultrageluid obstakels aan de achterkant en de boordcomputer geeft de bestuurder een visueel en/of akoestisch signaal aan de voorkant. Een aanhanger op het trekkende voertuig zou eigenlijk ook als obstakel gesignaleerd moeten worden, omdat deze zich direct aan de achterkant bevindt. De PDC zou als een gek een permanente waarschuwing moeten geven. Maar dat gebeurt niet. Maar waarom dan niet? De reden is de uitschakeling van de PDC, die technisch op verschillende manieren wordt gerealiseerd.

Heinz Hueber, technisch directeur van onze afdeling Elektrokits, legt uit hoe de Park Distance Control wordt uitgeschakeld bij achteraf gemonteerde trekhaken.

1. Volledige integratie in de boordelektronica van het trekkende voertuig

Wanneer een trekhaak in de fabriek is gemonteerd door de autofabrikant, is de elektronica ervan volledig geïntegreerd in de boordelektronica van het trekkende voertuig. In de boordcomputer wordt dan de bediening van de aanhanger ingeschakeld, zodat de boordcomputer bij het aansluiten van de aanhangerstekker automatisch weet dat bijvoorbeeld de PDC en het mistachterlicht van de personenauto moeten worden uitgeschakeld en de aanhangerstabilisatie ingeschakeld moet worden.

Wanneer er later een trekhaak wordt gemonteerd, kan deze integratie van de elektronica van de koppeling in de boordelektronica van het trekkende voertuig ook door een gespecialiseerde garage worden uitgevoerd. Hiervoor moeten de besturingseenheden in het voertuig handmatig worden ingeschakeld voor gebruik met een tester (LET OP: niet elke tester kan ook alle besturingseenheden inschakelen).
Helaas staan niet alle voertuigfabrikanten deze toegang tot de intelligente boordelektronica zomaar toe. De inschakeling kan worden gereset na een bezoek aan een erkende garage. Daarom schakelen de fabrikanten van retrofit trekhaken de PDC uit door middel van elektronische of mechanische detectie van de aanhanger.

2. Regeleenheid in de e-kit neemt de detectie over

De elektrokit die bij de trekhaak wordt geleverd, heeft een ingebouwde regeleenheid die de aanwezigheid van een aanhanger herkent via de gekoppelde verlichting van de koppeling van de verlichting van de aanhanger en de nodige informatie doorgeeft aan de boordelektronica. Dit maakt verbinding met de boordelektronica van het trekkende voertuig mogelijk, maar zonder deze in te schakelen. Het in- of uitschakelen van de PDC gebeurt handmatig met een P-OFF-schakelaar, waarover steeds meer voertuigen beschikken, of automatisch via de intelligente regeleenheid van de e-kit, die ook het mistachterlicht op het voertuig uit- en op de aanhanger inschakelt als het voertuig wordt gesleept. Nadeel: Andere rijhulpsystemen worden niet aangepast

3. Een microschakelaar onderbreekt de stroomtoevoer

De eenvoudigste manier is een mechanische microschakelaar in de contactdoos van de trekhaak. Wanneer de stekker van de aanhanger in de contactdoos wordt gestoken, wordt de microschakelaar omgezet en wordt de stroomtoevoer naar de PDC onderbroken. Tegelijkertijd wordt ook het mistachterlicht van het trekkende voertuig uitgeschakeld. Het mistachterlicht op de aanhanger gaat dan vanzelf branden en op het trekkende voertuig brandt er niets meer.

4. Digitale communicatie via databus (CAN)

Tegenwoordig communiceren veel voertuigen via een zogenaamde databus. Alle informatie in het voertuig wordt digitaal getransporteerd via een twee-aderige kabel. De regeleenheden zijn met elkaar verbonden via de databus, CAN (Controller Area Network) genaamd, en wisselen de vereiste signalen uit via de twee kabels CAN-High en CAN-Low.

Technisch gezien kunnen de moderne regeleenheden van trekhaken verbinding maken met de CAN-bus en digitaal communiceren met de regeleenheden aan boord. Dit is momenteel nog zelden het geval.

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For some years now the PDC (Park Distance Control) system has been a standard feature of a car. When reversing sensors recognize obstacles behind the car, the board computer gives the driver an optical and/or acoustic signal.
In reality, a trailer should always be recognised as an obstacle, because it is directly at the tail end of the car. The PDC should really go haywire and permanently give warning signals. But it doesn’t – and why not? The reason is that the PDC shuts down, which is realised in various ways.
Heinz Hueber, Technical Manager of our Electrical Kit Department, explains how the Park Distance Control can be switched off with retro-fit trailer hitches and how the PDC shutdown functions.

1. Complete integration into the onboard electronics of the towing vehicle
If a towbar is installed by a car manufacturer in the factory, the electronics will be completely integrated with the onboard electronics of the towing car. Trailer operation is then activated in the board computer so that the board computer automatically knows when the trailer plug is inserted into the socket, e.g. that the car’s PDC and the rear fog light have to be switched off and possibly the trailer combination stabilisation switched on.
If a trailer hitch is retro-fitted the coupling electronics into the onboard electronics of the towing vehicle could also be integrated by a specialist workshop. For this, the control units in the vehicle must be manually activated with a tester (Caution! Not every tester can activate control units). There will be additional costs.
Unfortunately, not all car manufacturers authorise the access to the intelligent board electronics. Sometimes after a service at an authorized workshop the activation is reset. Therefore, the manufacturers of retro-fit trailer hitches solve the PDC shutdown by means of an electronic or mechanical trailer identification.

2. Control module in the electrical kit is used for recognition
A control module is built into the electrical kit delivered along with the towbar. This module detects the electrical load of the trailer lighting and passes on the information to the board electronics accordingly. Here we can latch into the board electronics of the towing vehicle, but without activation. The PDC shutdown is either switched on or off manually via a P-OFF switch, which many cars have, or automatically via an intelligent control module of the electrical kit, which also switches the trailer rear fog light on and off. Disadvantage: further driver assistance systems will not be adapted.

3. Micro-switch interrupts the power supply
The easiest solution is a mechanical micro-switch in the towbar socket. If the connector of the trailer is plugged in the micro-switch bumps off and interrupts the power supply to the PDC. At the same time the rear fog light will be switched off on the towing vehicle – only the rear fog light on the trailer will shine, not on the towing vehicle.

4. Digital communication via databus (CAN)
Nowadays many vehicles communicate via a databus. Here all information is digitally transported via a two-wire cable. The control modules are, connected with one another via the data bus, CAN (Controller Area Network) and communicate the necessary signals via the two cables, CAN-High and CAN-Low.
Technically the latest control modules of the trailer hitches could hook up into the CAN-Bus and communicate digitally with the onboard control units, but this is seldom the case.

The term check controll is omnipresent, especially when it comes to the electronics of a car. But what does the term stand for and what does it mean? The surveillance of the lamps and their proper functioning is labelled as check controll system, the system is part of the vehicle’s on-board electronics. It serves as a controlling mechanism of different vehicle’s functions, part of those are the full beam, stop lights and rear fog-lamps. If these lights and lamps fail, the driver is informed due to the systems optical indications. Hence, the indications can also be digital informations of the board computer.

What must be payed attention to concerning vehicles‘ check controll?

A vehicle’s electronics are not only complicated but also finely calibrated, therefore, even small interventions can have a huge impact. For vehicle’s which entail check controll the electrical kit must hence be conceptualized in a way that ensures the tap of the lighting functions before the lamp test device takes place.

A different solution is to use an electrical kit with a special trailer control device, where lamp currents are generated for the trailer from the vehicle battery out. Incidentally, such a cable set is also strongly recommended for vehicles with too small cable cross-sections (<0.752). We already pay close attention to this when designing and developing our electrical kits. So you just have to make sure when buying that the electrical kit is suitable for vehicles with check-control.

Electric kits with trailer control unit MVG-type 4112

Our electric kits, which are fitted with a trailer control unit of the MVG-Type 4112, are ideally suited for vehicles with check-control and / or with insufficient cable cross-sections (<0.752). You also benefit from the following product advantages:

• Short-circuit proof outputs of the trailer lighting functions
• Suitable for both LED and incandescent trailers
• Microprocessor controlled
• Monitoring of the charging line / charging active with the engine running and a light function
• Made in Germany

The term CAN data bus stands for the words Controller Area Network. If a vehicle is equipped with a modern CAN data bus, the information exchange within the on-board network of the vehicle does not take place as usual in analog, but instead in a digital way. If you want to use the system of the CAN bus, for example, to reduce assembly costs, the electrical kit must also have a CAN trailer control unit. Only then can all lighting functions required in trailer operation be functionally controlled.

The assembly of the electrical kit should be done best in the workshop, as some vehicles require an activation of the vehicle electronics for trailer operation.

You should also pay attention to this with the CAN data bus

It is important for you that you first make sure that your car has a CAN data bus. If this is the case, you must always make sure when buying the electrical kit that this has a corresponding suspension module. Make sure that a universal electrical kit can not be used on vehicles with CAN and that you are well advised by the sellers.

Cleaning your towbar properly is a lot easier than one might think. Being the commodity it is, a towbar often gets dirty quite fast. Since no one enjoys dirt stains on their trousers having loaded the boot of the car, the towbar should be cleaned from time to time. Splashing it with water is often enough using the water tube or the watering can. Care products must not bei used. When greasing the trailer coupling please consider that this is not recommended whenever vibration dampers are in use. The used greasing would restrict the functionality of the dampers.

When it comes to the mounting of the detachable towbar, cleaning it with water is sufficient. The mounting has been constructed in a way where no dirt can stick to it so that no further cleaning is necessary. However, this is different concerning the socket, whose inside should not be cleaned with water. Clearly, this is not only not conducive for the electronic but also not necessary since the inside of the socket rarely gets dirty, if at all. Should  there, however, be dirt using a soft towel is best to clean the socket’s inside.

It makes sure that even in the event of the trailer coming loose from the coupling towbar it will still decelerate. This is what we call the safety or breakaway cable. Anyone who drives a lot with a trailer is sure to be familiar with installing it – and probably also had many discussions about it. When travelling to our neighbouring countries, the Netherlands and Switzerland, if the breakaway cable is not correctly installed or you have no safety cable, this could lead to heavy fines. For this reason, we’ve put together the provisions given by the ADAC (German Automobile Association) regarding the correct installation and use of the cable.

Breakaway cable safety mechanisms when driving in Germany

In Germany trailers in the medium-weight class, i.e. with a permissible maximum weight of more than 750 kg and up to 3,500 kg, are generally equipped with inertia (overrun) brakes. This means that in the braking procedure the trailer overruns the towing vehicle and the resulting power is transmitted by lever transmission to the trailer brakes. In the event that the trailer becomes detached from the towbar, a safety cable should trigger the brakes and bring the trailer to a halt.

The use of a breakaway or safety cable is mandatory in Germany. Where exactly the cable should be installed is not specified. However, one thing is certain, the cable may not be looped over the towbar. As far as technically possible, the safety cable has to be fixed through an opening, drill hole or eyelet on the towbar, not on the ball head.

How to use a safety cable correctly in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands safety devices are foreseen for both braked and unbraked trailers. Trailers up to 1500 kg therefore require a safety feature and/or breakaway facility. With trailers without their own brakes a secondary coupling in the form of a cable or chain is compulsory. This also applies for unbraked trailers up to 750 kg. With larger trailers an ultimate (at break) braking provision must be in place, i.e. a steel cable between the vehicle and the braking system of the trailer. This is only available for vehicles (trailers) with brakes.

In any case, it is very important that in the Netherlands the specified safety cables must, in addition, be attached to the towbar for both unbraked and braked trailers.

This is done with special eyelets or clamps. Simply winding the cable round the knee-joint bar is not sufficient in the Netherlands.

How to use a safety cable correctly in Switzerland

In Switzerland with trailers up to a permissible total weight of 1,500 kg without a service brake system, an additional safety cable, e.g. a breakaway cable is required. The Federal Office for Roads has approved additional eyelets or special fixing holes on the towbar as suitable for mounting.

What requires special attention with a foreign/German trailer combination in the Netherlands and Switzerland?

In accordance with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, the brake systems of trailers must be equipped in such a way that the trailer, even in the case of a break in the coupling device when in motion, can come to a halt. This does not apply for single-axle trailers or double-axle trailers with a wheelbase of less than one metre and the trailer does not exceed the permissible total weight of 1,500 kg. Unbraked trailers up to a permissible total weight of 1,500 kg must be connected and secured to the towing vehicle via a safety cable, i.e. a breakaway cable. General information: Since the minimum requirements specified by the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic may not be exceeded, either in the Netherlands or in Switzerland, the national provisions shall in any case also apply for trailer combinations registered in Germany, insofar as these are active road users in the Netherlands or Switzerland.

Please note: Our towbars have either eyelets or a drill hole for fixing the breakaway cable. Read more about how to use the cable correctly in our report on this topic.

When driving with a trailer the breakaway cable already plays a major role when attaching the trailer. The breakaway cable is responsible for an emergency slowing-down process in case the trailer backs out the towbar. A new law concerning the transportation and use of trailers has been released in the Netherlands (Art. 5. 18. 34-2) claiming that the tear-off must be a fixed part of the vehicle itself. Therefore, an option must be  provided for the driver to fix the breakaway cable to the car.

How to use the breakaway cable correctly

Simply placing the breakaway cable around the towbar is not valid anymore. There are two alternatives:

You can rather fixate the breakaway cable using a special lug which is part of our towbars in series. The lug can be found in the vicinity of the housing. Further, a special retainer can be used which makes it possible to fixate the cable to the towbar as well and also accomplishes the same purpose as does the lug.

More information on the law in the Netherlands can be found at Algemene Nederlandse Wielrijdersbond.

When the winter months are coming closer one has to prepare some of the tools used on a regular basis. Like the outdoor furniture the towbar must be prepared for the colder months as well. While a fixed towbar can not really be prepared, a detachable towbar should always be detached if not in use. Then, a cleaning is recommended as well as packing the towbar in the provided bag.
Especially during the winter months dirt as well as road salt badger the towbar, which is regularly fixed deep down under the car. Hence, the towbar will be better preserved in the provided bag than unused but still detached to the car on a regular basis. Please note that the towbar must be secured in the boot even if the bag is used. Hereby damages can be prevented.