DR trailer issues

[ytt105]

I've got a 2010 tdv6. Great vehicle. I tow a Jayco Sterling that has LED lights. The lights work fine and my trailer indicator flashes nicely with the blinkers. However, the reverse sensors scream when reversing. I thought that they were turned off when the car thinks a trailer is connected and if the trailer icon flashes, the car knows a trailer is connected. Is my car possessed?

[ChookD2]

Is my car possessed?

Aren't they all? :firedevil:

[loanrangie]

You need to read the LED trailer lights thread, only 32 pages of light reading - see what i did there.

[101RRS]

If your parking sensors are going off when reversing, your car does not know the trailer is there.

As mentioned - read the thread, you need the appropriate pulse buster for your vehicle - or change your trailer side lights if they are indicators to incandescent globes. This will provide the resistance the system is looking for.

Garry

[ytt105]

That's what worried me. All this time I thought it was the icon blinking that meant it was working properly.

[Tombie]

That's what worried me. All this time I thought it was the icon blinking that meant it was working properly.

Normally it does. Yours must be on the threshold.
Has your vehicle had all the necessary updates done over the years?

[Briar]

Here is what I did. When I got the van (which came with LED lights) I had the same issue. The van connected up via a 12-pin flat plug rather than the big round plug on the RHS. I got a piece of polypipe from bunnings. I got a plug for the socket at Supercheap and 2 x Load resisters also from Supercheap. Wired up the load resistors to each indicator circuit only and to the Earth pin. Had to do a bit of trimming on the polypipe but the load resistors slide in fine. Just looks like a big dongle, lol. It basically runs in parallel with the 12-pin flat but provides load resistance to the D4 so that the trailer is detected and turns off the reversing sensors. Wrapped the whole lot in black tape. Been using it for over 4 years with no probs. When I tow the box trailer with festoon globe lights I just use a 7 pin flat (on trailer) adapter to large round on D4.

161487161488

[DiscoJeffster]

That's what worried me. All this time I thought it was the icon blinking that meant it was working properly.

Just add some load resistors to the trailer or build them into the car and switch them. I agree I’d have expected the trailer signal on the dash should mean they’re disabled, but like Tombie says, probably not enough resistance for the reversing sensors?

[kenl]

I agree too, if the dash light is showing a trailer, then the parking sensors should be switched off.

Can you switch the sensors off with the dash switch?

[scarry]

I agree too, if the dash light is showing a trailer, then the parking sensors should be switched off.

Can you switch the sensors off with the dash switch?

Some models like mine don’t have the dash switch to turn them off,which is also a PITA in long grass,etc.

I wired resistors into both rear indicater circuits on the car, via a switch,which means I can can tow anything with LED lights.

[p38arover]

What's a DR trailer?

[woodsy]

I purchased 2 x Narva resistors from Repco ( $35 from memory?), pop rivetted them to caravan drawbar (so any excess heat transferred to the drawbar if hazard lights left operating ), then wired each one Independently to to both the left and right indicator circuits on the van and worked like a treat .
Green Trailer Indicator Light On disco 4 dash comes on when either left/ right indicators selected and van connected and reverse buzzer disarmed.
My Snowy River Van has led side and rear lights.

Re wired both the rear round plugs to a 12 pin flat ( from very helpful but lengthy previous posts on this forum ) and a single Anderson plug for caravan fridge supply . Bought 2 x laser cut stainless 12 pin and Anderson Mounting brackets from Autospark in Perth ( again from forum info) . Works very well and neat solution . Decided to put resistors on drawbar as ran out of room in tow bar wiring area and was mindful of excess heat that may be generated by the resistors potentially causing a fire . There is a warning on the Narva packaging about possible heat build up.
Regards Woodsy

[ytt105]

My bad.

I have now discovered that the sensors do indeed cancel when reversing with the van on, screams when the van is off but the tow hitch is on. So all is good. Thanks.

Does anyone need a couple of new resistors which should arrive next week?



DR is a fingergraphical error for LR.

Regards
Trev

[DiscoJeffster]

My bad.

I have now discovered that the sensors do indeed cancel when reversing with the van on, screams when the van is off but the tow hitch is on. So all is good. Thanks.

Does anyone need a couple of new resistors which should arrive next week?



DR is a fingergraphical error for LR.

Regards
Trev

You can get some clear floor protectors that act as covers from Bunnings (search on here). You cut them in half and apply them to the reversing sensors nearest the hitch to stop them triggering. Easy fix