Faq

What types of electrical kits are there for vehicle hitches?

We can differentiate two groups of kits by type of vehicle:

1.- Simple electrical kits: composed of a cable that carries the base of the 7 or 13 pin trailer connector and small material to make connections to the vehicle's rear lamps.

2.- Electrical kits with electronic module: in addition to the material of a simple electrical kit, they have an electronic circuit, which not only governs the light signals of a trailer or caravan, but can even perform other functions.

How to choose one type or another?

A simple kit is suitable for vehicles with old technology, where the vehicle's lights are activated in a simple way (relays), and which allow the power for the trailer or caravan to be taken directly from the rear lights (parallel connection) without the vehicle noticing this overconsumption.

A kit with an electronic module is suitable for current vehicles, generally from the year 2000 onwards, since this is when electronic systems begin to appear in vehicles that supply and control their light signals and do not allow overconsumption that would be applied with a simple kit, either because they will detect it and indicate an error warning in the panel, or because they could cause a fault in the circuit that powers the rear lamps because it is not calculated to withstand these extra consumptions.

What types of electronic module kits are there?

We can differentiate two groups:

1.- Specific electrical kits: designed for each specific vehicle model, the connection is made with original connectors. The manual indicates the disassemblies to be carried out.

2.- Universal electrical kits with module: designed to cover the installations of most makes and models of vehicles. They take the signals from the vehicle's rear lamps in the same way as in simple kits, but without burdening the car's lighting circuit, the trailer lights take current from the battery. They also have to support the different lighting systems that each brand designs in their vehicles.

Why choose universal versus specific kit?

The advantage that a specific kit can have over a universal one is that the connected ones are prefixed with original connectors and have been designed for each vehicle model.

On the other hand, many installation-specific installations require complex disassembly to access the connection points that the manufacturer has determined. Installations that require disassembly not only of the trunk, but of the seats and dashboard, making installation time costly.

The price of specific kits is generally higher than that of a universal kit, due to the complexity of the wiring (different for each model) and the electronic circuit.

For each vehicle model, we will need a specific kit, requiring several installation packages for each one. Thus, the advantages of the universal kit They are:
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— The connections in the vehicle are made in the rear lamps themselves, saving assembly time.- It is usually cheaper in price.
— You can have a small stock, with the certainty that it will be able to be installed on any model and brand of vehicle.
— The effect performed is the same as that of a specific kit. The universal kit can perform the same functions as the specific kit.

What is the Check-Control system?

This is the system incorporated in some vehicles, which checks the status of the lights. Any anomaly (melted lamps, overconsumption, short circuits) is detected, informing the driver. Vehicles with this system require a kit with an electronic module to prevent the electrical installation of the trailer or caravan from being detected as a fault.

Our products are ready for vehicles with Check-control.

What is the C2 system?

It is a system incorporated in some electronic kits, which detects if the lamps in the turn signals of a trailer or caravan burn, informing the driver.

In some European countries such as Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom, its use is mandatory.

Our kits are ready to incorporate this system if required, not only warning when a fault is detected in the turn signals, but also when a fault occurs in position and brake lights.

What is the replacement light system?

It is a safety system incorporated in some vehicles, because when there is a molten lamp in a taillight, the vehicle detects it and passes this function to another lamp. For example, if the right turn signal lamp melts, so as not to be left without signs, the car transfers this function to another lamp (fog lamp, position, etc.) to act as a flashing lamp.

Our products incorporate this safety system that avoids running out of flashing lights. In case of failure in these, the function would be performed by other lamps.

What is the multiplexed light system?

This is the system incorporated in some vehicles, called BSI, by which two signaling functions are performed by the same cable and lamp. There are vehicles that can activate brake and position light or fog and position light through the same cable.

Our products support vehicles with BSI system.

Why the anti-fog switching option?

Sometimes on trailers or caravans with shiny surfaces, activating the vehicle's fog light can create an annoying reflection for the driver. In electrical kits that include anti-fog switching, when activated, this light will turn off in the vehicle and will only turn on in the trailer or caravan. In some countries it is mandatory.

Our products can incorporate this function, even in multiplexed systems with position light and we want to use anti-fog switching.

Why the option of disconnecting the parking sensors?

Some vehicles have PDC parking sensors to detect nearby obstacles. When a vehicle with a trailer or caravan has this system and is activated, it is possible that the caravan or trailer is detected as an obstacle, creating a false warning. For this reason, some kits incorporate the possibility of disconnecting these systems.

Our products can incorporate this feature if required.

Other safety systems and advantages of our universal kit

Our universal kit incorporates several safety measures and advantages compared to other products:

— Low consumption at rest.
— Lamp activation system with solid state components, no mechanical components such as relays are used.
— Avoid existing problems with gauge lights presented by other kits with multiplexed lights.
— System with protection on exits to the trailer against short circuits.
— Protection system against possible power supply voltage peaks and polarity inversions.

Cases with vehicles with mass-activated lights

There are vehicles in which the fog light is activated by mass (usually activated by 12V).

In these cases, some kits do not support this system on their own and external components are required to work.

Other vehicles have all the lights with mass activation (e.g. Jaguar S-Type). Our default product is configured for 12V activation, but if it has to be installed with mass activation, following a few simple steps, it will automatically be reconfigured to allow correct activation for these cases. If you need detailed information about these steps, don't hesitate to Contact.

Choose 7 or 13 pole base

Depending on the use we are going to give to the hitch, we can choose between a 7-pin or 13-pin connector on the hitch:

1.- 7-pin connector: is used for trailers, where installation is simple and no additional 12V power is needed.
2.- 13-pin connector: it is used for caravans, where additional power is required for the built-in systems and also the reversing light, which with a 7-pole connector does not allow it.

These are our most frequently asked questions. Anyway, if you need more information about any of them,
Don't hesitate to contact us!

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