TSC can add confidence while towing, but proper maintenance and safety habits remain vital
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is proving itself as a life-saving technology. By taking control of your vehicle's brakes and engine as required to help counteract skidding and sliding, industry safety authorities like the IIHS and NHTSA are recognizing it as a very important part of a comprehensive approach to vehicle safety.
Though ESC is marketed under a variety of names depending on the automaker, a few common points help define the system. Basically, ESC can 'go above the drivers head' when it detects the slightest hint of wheel-spin or a skid. When a loss of control seems imminent, ESC can instantly reduce engine power and precisely apply specific brake force to the wheels on an individual basis. End result, the system can potentially counteract even severe skids before the driver has time to panic.
Building on this ability to intervene and take control of the vehicle's engine and brakes, engineers have managed to adapt ESC to help owners of utility vehicles who tow a trailer. The latest and greatest in the world of towing and trailering safety is called Trailer Sway Control (TSC). Originally available mainly to Chrysler and Acura customers, the system is rapidly being adopted by most automakers that sell vehicles intended to tow.
By taking advantage of the ESC system's ability to manipulate engine output and apply wheel-specific braking, TSC seeks to extend the control-enhancing abilities of ESC to the vehicle's trailer.
Trailer sway can be caused by crosswinds, improper loading of the trailer, incorrect tire pressure, road conditions or even the 'wind wave' from a passing transport. Sway can result in anything from a loss of stability to a serious accident- so looking for a vehicle with TSC on board is a sure way to find some added peace of mind.
In general, TSC monitors the yaw, or 'side-to-side' motion of the tow vehicle to determine if the trailer is swaying. If the sensor detects yaw that isn't caused by the driver's steering inputs, it begins working to control the unwanted motion. Moderate brake pressure is applied to a single front wheel in an alternating fashion dictated by the severity and direction of the sway. Light brake pressure is applied to the other 3 wheels in the process, helping reduce vehicle speed in a controlled manner. Even a specially trained driver with one brake pedal for each wheel couldn't match the speed and precision at work here.
Some machines market their TSC system as an individual safety entity, while others promote it as a sort of programming add-on to the ESC system. To be sure, check with your dealer or sales representative.
Additional peace of mind may come from selecting a vehicle with a full traction control system, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Rollover Protection.
Of course, several other tips can help ensure optimal safety when hauling a trailer as well. Stay below recommended maximum capacities, and ensure the trailer is loaded and secured properly. As a guideline, about 60 percent of the weight should be in the front of the trailer and about 40 percent in the rear. Be sure to strap or tie down loose items securely so that they don't move around and upset the balance of your load.
Don't forget the importance of properly maintained tires. Regardless of the safety features fitted to your vehicle, your tires are the only part of it that contacts the road's surface- unless they fail and an accident occurs. A simple visual inspection and pressure check is a far more favorable procedure than dealing with an easily preventable crash.
Finally, remember that no tire maintenance or electronic safety system can replace careful, appropriate driving for the conditions at hand.
photo:Chrysler, Philippe Champoux
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is proving itself as a life-saving technology. By taking control of your vehicle's brakes and engine as required to help counteract skidding and sliding, industry safety authorities like the IIHS and NHTSA are recognizing it as a very important part of a comprehensive approach to vehicle safety.
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| 2009 Chrysler Aspen |
Though ESC is marketed under a variety of names depending on the automaker, a few common points help define the system. Basically, ESC can 'go above the drivers head' when it detects the slightest hint of wheel-spin or a skid. When a loss of control seems imminent, ESC can instantly reduce engine power and precisely apply specific brake force to the wheels on an individual basis. End result, the system can potentially counteract even severe skids before the driver has time to panic.
Building on this ability to intervene and take control of the vehicle's engine and brakes, engineers have managed to adapt ESC to help owners of utility vehicles who tow a trailer. The latest and greatest in the world of towing and trailering safety is called Trailer Sway Control (TSC). Originally available mainly to Chrysler and Acura customers, the system is rapidly being adopted by most automakers that sell vehicles intended to tow.
By taking advantage of the ESC system's ability to manipulate engine output and apply wheel-specific braking, TSC seeks to extend the control-enhancing abilities of ESC to the vehicle's trailer.
Trailer sway can be caused by crosswinds, improper loading of the trailer, incorrect tire pressure, road conditions or even the 'wind wave' from a passing transport. Sway can result in anything from a loss of stability to a serious accident- so looking for a vehicle with TSC on board is a sure way to find some added peace of mind.
In general, TSC monitors the yaw, or 'side-to-side' motion of the tow vehicle to determine if the trailer is swaying. If the sensor detects yaw that isn't caused by the driver's steering inputs, it begins working to control the unwanted motion. Moderate brake pressure is applied to a single front wheel in an alternating fashion dictated by the severity and direction of the sway. Light brake pressure is applied to the other 3 wheels in the process, helping reduce vehicle speed in a controlled manner. Even a specially trained driver with one brake pedal for each wheel couldn't match the speed and precision at work here.
Some machines market their TSC system as an individual safety entity, while others promote it as a sort of programming add-on to the ESC system. To be sure, check with your dealer or sales representative.
Additional peace of mind may come from selecting a vehicle with a full traction control system, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Rollover Protection.
Of course, several other tips can help ensure optimal safety when hauling a trailer as well. Stay below recommended maximum capacities, and ensure the trailer is loaded and secured properly. As a guideline, about 60 percent of the weight should be in the front of the trailer and about 40 percent in the rear. Be sure to strap or tie down loose items securely so that they don't move around and upset the balance of your load.
Don't forget the importance of properly maintained tires. Regardless of the safety features fitted to your vehicle, your tires are the only part of it that contacts the road's surface- unless they fail and an accident occurs. A simple visual inspection and pressure check is a far more favorable procedure than dealing with an easily preventable crash.
Finally, remember that no tire maintenance or electronic safety system can replace careful, appropriate driving for the conditions at hand.
photo:Chrysler, Philippe Champoux