Making aftermarket towbars easy to install

HAYMAN REESE SIMPLIFIES AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING AND SUPPORTS TROUBLE-FREE TOWING FOR A VARIETY OF MARQUES

Equipping a vehicle with proper, aftermarket trailer wiring to safely connect the turning signals, taillights, brake lights, and other electrical systems has not always been a straightforward process.

If the vehicle is not equipped with working trailer wiring, a number of different solutions exist to provide the perfect fit for the specific vehicle. Are you after custom wiring, splice-in wiring, or replacement wiring? Some require splicing and soldering while others only need specific connectors. For those cars without custom wiring, a more involved and customised taillight conversion process is required.

However, Hayman Reese — a prominent player in the field of towbar technology — is expanding its offerings in aftermarket towing solutions by introducing a smart and hassle-free alternative to these complex towbar wiring installations. Presenting SmartClick Intelligent wiring looms, Hayman Reese now provides tailored solutions for every vehicle, including the soon-to-be-released towbars to suit Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Each wiring loom has been meticulously engineered to fit the specific requirements of individual vehicles. The process is as simple as connecting the smart plug to the vehicle nodes, and the wiring is seamlessly completed.

Interfacing With Can Bus

Traditional trailer wiring harnesses have the potential to trigger fault codes in vehicles managed by CAN bus and safety systems to fail to activate or deactivate when a trailer is connected.

Hayman Reese’s initial SmartClick systems included a base loom and ECU, with the tail chosen separately to complete the set up. The Hayman Reese SmartClick CAN bus system is a plug-and-play solution that eliminates the need for scotch locks or soldering into the vehicle’s wiring harness. Hayman Reese utilises factory plugs to enable this type of connectivity. The supplied ECU is designed to effectively communicate with the vehicle, replicating the functionality of the original equipment.

However, in 2019 this process was not as straightforward as anticipated and in many earlier versions of the SmartClick system the vehicle had to be taken back to the dealership for coding, which created resistance from dealers who were concerned about potential issues caused by aftermarket wiring looms.

Smartcode Solution For Installers

This is where Hayman Reese’s Smartcode comes into play. Smartcode is a handheld device that connects to the vehicle’s OBD plug and programs the vehicle to recognise and accept a properly configured trailer wiring solution, thereby activating the appropriate parameters for safe towing. Since the installer can perform this programming, vehicle owners no longer need to contact dealerships.

The handheld device is exclusively designed for towing coding and lives up to its name by being highly intelligent. Within a matter of minutes, the vehicle is coded and ready to go. The Smartcode firmware is consistently updated, and a quick download ensures that the handheld device remains up to date.

Currently, the supported brands include Ford, VW, Audi, Skoda, and Mercedes. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are soon to be released.

For more information, contact Hayman Reese on 0800 MY TBAR (0800 698 227).