2021.01 | 3
TOW ASSIST INSTALLATION MANUAL
ABS & SWAY MITIGATION SYSTEM
Mounting Examples
It is mandatory to provide an adequate solution to protect the ECU,
axle/power harness against road debris or vertical impact. Each trailer
design is unique and must be addressed individually upon installation.
Failure to do so will have an effect on product life and performance.
Examples of additional mounting/protection highlighted in red. 5.9” of
vertical clearance is needed to protect the ECU and harness plug from
road debris.
FRONT OF TRAILER
TRUSS SECTION
MOUNTING
Z-SECTION
MOUNTING
5.9” CLEARANCE
C-SECTION
MOUNTING
RHS (SHORT)
MOUNTING
Mounting
Universal Bracket
The ECU is supplied with a pre-attached Universal Mounting Bracket.
The bracket provides a mounting interface between the ECU and the
trailer chassis. The bracket is designed to meet the strength, stiffness
and vibration requirements. The pre-attached universal mounting
bracket should not be removed, adjusted or modified during installation.
Selection of the ECU mounting location should always accommodate
the mounting bracket as well as space to work. Damage or removal of
the bracket may affect the performance of the Tow Assist system.
Tow Assist Brake Control Module - “ECU”
Below is a model of the Tow Assist Brake Control Module. This will be
referred to throughout the manual as the ECU (Electronic Control Unit).
TOP
Universal
Mounting
Bracket
“A” Connector
Power Harness
“B” Connector
Axle Harness
ABS & SWAY MITIGATION SYSTEM
ABS & SWAY MITIGATION SYSTEM
ABS & SWAY MITIGATION SYSTEM
TOW ASSIST
™
ABS & SWAY MITIGATION SYSTEM
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Trailer Requirements
Wheel Speed Sensor Availability
The trailer to which Tow Assist is to be fitted must have axles equipped
with Tow Assist brakes and hub-drums. Wheel speed sensors are designed
into the Tow Assist brake and are an integral part of the system.
Chassis Rail Mounting Suitability
Trailer chassis rail material and structure can vary significantly between
different manufacturers and types of trailers. The chassis rail or cross
member of the trailer is where you will mount the ECU and is therefore
the major mechanical interface between the trailer and the ECU. It
is important that the structural integrity of the chassis rail or cross
member is suitable since it is where the ECU mounts. Unsuitable
structural integrity can result in vibration and damage to the ECU.
Ideal mounting surface is a Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) chassis
rail with a minimum height of 5.9”. Area of chassis rail that contacts
bracket to be within a flatness of 0.011”. The height of the chassis
rail protects the ECU and connectors from on-coming projectiles and
the rigidity of a rectangular steel or aluminum section provides a solid
mounting surface with a reduction of ECU vibration.
Other C-Section, short height RHS, Truss and Z-Section chassis
rails are allowed with a minimum height of 1.77” to meet mounting
requirements. Additional mounting and/or protection surface (IE, an
adapter plate) solidly fixed on the chassis rail to accommodate the
vibration and protection requirements of the ECU may be required. See
ECU chassis mounting examples in the following section.