How do you know your trailer brains are working?

[wfdTamar]

So I have my tow bar installed and trailer connected. The lights are working ok with no warnings, but is there any indication on the dash that the trailer adaptations are working? I mean the alterations to ESP, ABS etc. for the trailer? Is there a light on the dash that shows it knows you have a trailer connected? For those with the radios with displays, anything on there?

[Umai Naa!!]

Nope to all of the above.

Basically, you shouldn't have to perform any adaptation besides telling the CANbus gateway that it's now got a trailer control module to talk to.

If you've not done that, it'll constantly have the parkers (Or brake lights, I can't remember which) on on the trailer when it's connected.

[wfdTamar]

My wiring kit had a non VAG Trailer Control Module, but I'm assured by rightconnections.co.uk that it's not a simple bypass type of kit (cost £195 so I would hope not). It connects very similarly to the VAG one. It's supposed to be functionally the same as the genuine one - however apart from using VCDS to tell the car it now has trailer brains (just the 69 trailer bit) there is none of the extra coding you do for the genuine box (I think there's about 3 things ).

So I'm wanting to check that they're telling the truth and that it works properly in Australia (because there was no step to put in the Australia 3 code). As the lights are working ok I'm presuming the Australia bit is ok. I have no bulb warnings which is a problem with the genuine if you don't tell it you're in Australia.

Problem is how do I tell if the TSP stuff is active? I vaguely remember someone writing that there is a trailer symbol on the dash, or on their radio.

[Umai Naa!!]

The trailer in the display may be to do with the OPC parking sensors.

Not sure with Skoda, but I know that with VWs there's no change in the coding for the trailer control module, that is country-specific. There is some online coding that has to be done on the current Passats, and on some previous models, but that was it.

[Mysticality]

Check the parking sensors.
If they go crazy with the trailer attached, its not working properly.

[Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi]

If you have rear parking sensors, a RCD510 or RNS510 stereo and the trailer wiring is connected properly, it will show a picture of a trailer connected to the car on the stereo display when reverse is selected. It also disables the rear parking sensors.

Another way to check is to connect the trailer and then take one of the trailers brake light globes out. If its connected correctly, a light will show on the dash showing one of the lights are faulty. If you have a MFD display it will tell you which light isn't working too.

Cheers

[wfdTamar]

Haven't got parking sensors yet. Just got an RNS510, but it's not in yet. Did take a bulb out of the trailer and got a bulb warning on the dash so the lights part seems to be working fine and you'd think if it has enough knowledge to tell that, the TSP stuff should be ok too.

So all up I put in a Skoda type tow bar with full electrics for about $900. Actually better than the Skoda one as the electrics hide away when not in use.

[Mysticality]

Which brand of bar is it?
Got a pic of the install?

[wfdTamar]

Westfalia one from here PF Jones Witter Tow bars, Westfalia Towbars. Eberspacher Main Dealer

Not ADR approved, but has European aproval. Rated for 2000kg (I think that's what it was - anyway, way above the 1600kg the car can tow).

It's the one in post #25 here.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f149/octavia-towbar-blues-64192-3.html