Thread: Silly? Question reTailer LEDs and Resistors

Gav, not a silly question. I'm actually slightly confused about it also. I understand electronics pretty well and I would assume it would always be in tow mode.

However, there are a LOT of posts claiming it still only goes into tow mode after connecting a trailer... Which makes precisely ZERO sense (no pin intended), as the sensing is just on electrical resistance through the indicator circuit/s. If you have a resistor in there drawing the same amount as an incandescent globe, then it will "sense" a trailer is attached ALWAYS.

I am not long off of doing the mod soon as well, so having someone jump in here who has actually done it and understands it completely would be nice.

It changes the auto trans change strategy when it knows a trailer is connected. That’s the main advantage. Trailer sway is always active.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

It changes the auto trans change strategy when it knows a trailer is connected. That’s the main advantage. Trailer sway is always active.

Also disables rear park sensors, which isn't great if the missus is driving!

Originally Posted by libertyts

Also disables rear park sensors, which isn't great if the missus is driving!

Well if there’s a trailer attached it’s fine. It’s where you install a switch and need to remember to switch it back, then that’s a real issue

Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

Now that I have the mod with resistors and over-ride switch to cater for/let the car know a LED trailer is being towed, if I leave the switch on, but have no trailer attached, presumably the car thinks there is a trailer fitted and runs in "tow" mode - which I believe slightly modifies the driving format (change points etc?).

Gav, if I leave my switch on after towing the boat it stays in trailer mode. It pulls super hard and holds gears longer. Then I pull over switch off and it's a car again.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Well if there’s a trailer attached it’s fine. It’s where you install a switch and need to remember to switch it back, then that’s a real issue

Haha, of course, that's half the point after all. As for the missus driving with a trailer... She won't reverse it, I'm still working on convincing her that I can teach her to reverse a trailer in 30mins or less easily. Hell, if you can teach AJ's to reverse a trailer, you can teach anyone! Hahahaha.

Remembering the switch is always the battle, with everything.

Oh. It needs a power cycle aswell.

If you only tow your own trailers then I would suggest modifying them and not the car, then you don't need to worry.