The wiring kit is an essential part of a towing system. The wiring kit provides power to the towed equipment, it ensures signal light systems or brake control is working. Brink focuses on vehicle-specific wiring kits, as the current generation of cars has been equipped with complex digital systems.
Brink vehicle specific wiring kit
A Brink vehicle specific wiring kit guarantees an optimal connection between your car and your trailer, bike carrier or caravan. A safe journey not only depends on the type of towbar, but equally important is the correct electrical harness. Brink offers wiring kits with seven and thirteen pin kits.
Brink vehicle specific wiring kits utilize the vehicle manufacturer connectors which reduces the risk of damage to the vehicles electrical system. In addition, the kits include the latest electronic control modules, which offer maximum compatibility with the safety systems of your car.
7 or 13 pins
Various sockets can be fitted on a towbar. Brink offers the two standard sockets: 7-pin and 13-pin. For a small trailer without brakes and bike carriers, a 7 pin socket is enough. It guarantees all legally required lighting functions.
A 13 pin socket allows you to use contant power and ignition switched power. Constant power is required for interior lighting, water pump and/or refrigerator functions of a caravan. Ignition switched power is required for the caravan battery. The battery is charged while driving or when the vehicle has the ignition on. However, the power is switched off when the ignition is of or when the vehicle is parked to protect the vehicle battery from discharge.
CAN Bus
The CAN Bus was introduced in vehicles at the end of the eighties. CAN Bus stands for Controller Area Network Bus and is a computer network that connects all electrical components in the vehicle concerning propulsion (injection, turbo pressure, etc.), comfort (seat warmer, door locks, etc.) and safety (electrical stabilization programme, anti-blocking system, etc.), ensuring they can correctly communicate with each other at every given moment. The connection is made through a twisted cable (Can-Hi and Can-Low) that runs from component to component and ensures that signals are interrupted by external influences. When installing a new wiring kit, the communication with all electronics present in the CAN Bus system needs to be perfectly in order.
For that reason, the vehicle-specific wiring kits by Brink have been equipped with advanced CAN Bus modules ever since CAN Bus was brought to market. They will either immediately be recognized by the vehicle or have to be registered manually. Thanks to the software of these CAN Bus modules, the vehicle-specific wiring kits by Brink communicate with the vehicle through the CAN Bus system. This is the only way the electronics of the car can always take the right decisions and respond
when it comes to the propulsion, safety and comfort systems, with or without a trailer. We would never have had the comfort, safety and functionality that we expect of modern-day vehicles without CAN Bus.
Innovation
Modern cars are equipped with more electronics and very complex electrical architecture. Brink works closely with vehicle manufacturers to develop electrical solutions which are compatible with the most advanced vehicle electronics. This ensures all the relevant safety systems are activated and function as the vehicle manufacturer intended. In addition, the connection on the towing harness are tailored to the vehicle to ensure connectivity and protect warranty. These so-called plug-and-play connections ensure that our wiring kits are quick and easy to install.
Ease of use
A Brink wiring kit always sends the correct data to the board computer of the vehicle. This way disturbing malfunctions are prevented. Our wiring kits are equipped with the latest modules which offer the following advantages:
- Automatic lighting
The basic function of a wiring kit is to provide your bike carrier, trailer or caravan with power. This ensures the correct functioning of the brake, indicator and reversing lights of the trailer. - Disabling Park Distance Control
Parking sensors register objects near the car. If you have a trailer, caravan or bike carrier on your towbar, it is also registered as an obstacle once reverse gear is selected. In most cases, the Brink vehicle specific wiring kit provides an option to by-pass the Park Distance Control, whilst towing.
Safety
Brink vehicle specific wiring kits utilize the vehicle manufactures connectors which reduces the risk of damage to the vehicles electrical system. In addition, the kits include the latest electronic control modules, which offer maximum compatibility with the safety systems of your car:
- Check Control
Check Control is a light control system, which allows you to check the functioning of the rear lights, brake lights, indicators and/or fog lights on your car. If there is a problem with one of the lights, the car shows a warning light, symbol, or text on your dashboard. Our wiring kits support this function and prevent an error message from appearing on your dashboard after attaching a trailer. - Fog light connection / disconnection
Brink vehicle specific wiring kits are equipped with a connection which also shows the fog lights on the trailer, bike carrier or caravan. At the same time, this system can turn off the fog lights on your car. This prevents you from being blinded by the reflection of light on the trailer or caravan through the mirrors of the vehicle. - Adaptic Cruise Control is a system that is present in many modern vehicles. These are equipped with a radar system that sees the vehicle in front of the car. Based on this data, the car is able to slow down or brake. Brink vehicle specific wiring kits have a module built in which makes the ACC system alert to the extra weight of the towed vehicle so the tow-car compensates for the additional weight when a trailer is attached. Alternatively, you can intervene at any time and turn the system off.
- C2 control is a system that warns the driver when an indicator light has failed or is damaged. This is indicated with a visible or audible notification. In Germany, Austria and the UK, this is mandatory
- Electronic Stability ProgramThe Electronic Stability Program prevents your car from skidding (also known as snaking) in critical situations. Via the engine management system, one or more wheels are braked so the vehicle combination slows down until it regains control and a stable situation. Brink vehicle specific wiring kits fully interact with the vehicle to enable ESP to function and therefore increasing road safety.
- Trailer Stability Program
The Trailer Stability Program prevents your car and trailer from skidding in critical situations. As soon as the snaking of a trailer begins, the system reacts within milliseconds and immediately stabilizes the vehicle and trailer. Trailer Stability Program is only supported when using a vehicle specific wiring kit, which communicates with the onboard computer of your car.