USCAR Improves Trailer Tow Connector Design
8 July 1997
USCAR Improves Trailer Tow Connector Design
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 8 -- To those who tow -- whether it
be jet skis, snowmobiles, boats, cargo trailers, ATVs or heavy equipment --
connecting the wires to the trailer connector interface can sometimes be a
hassle.
However, owners of Chrysler , Ford and GM
products who tow will be able to haul trailers of virtually every kind, and
will less likely struggle with confusing wire harness connectors, as a result
of a common, more reliable system that has been designed by the United States
Council for Automotive Research's (USCAR) electrical wiring team.
USCAR was formed in 1992 by Chrysler, Ford and GM to further strengthen
the technology base of the domestic auto industry through a variety of
cooperative, pre-competitive research.
With the new design, trailer tow users will simply fit the tow vehicle
harness connector and trailer connector interface together to power the turn
signals, brake lights, reverse lights, running lights, etc. on the item being
towed.
"The new design represents an overall connection system improvement," said
Bill Tabor, a Chrysler engineer on USCAR's electrical wiring team. "The new
trailer tow connector is a higher quality system with fewer parts that will be
common among Chrysler, Ford and General Motors."
By using common adapters, a camper, boat trailer or cargo trailer could
easily be hauled with the same system. The new design will first be available
from dealers in the towing package on 1999 Ford and General Motors pick-up
trucks. Durability and reliability testing of the new part begins this summer
at the GM and Ford proving grounds. Chrysler also will be incorporating the
new design into its future vehicles.
Although the new part looks the same as the current connector when viewed
on the vehicle, the "inside" of the new one is much simpler. The total number
of internal components is reduced by eliminating rivets, terminal holders,
boots and screws.
"Each company's present assembly requires the consumer to manually
tighten seven screw connections," said Ford's Joe Semaan. "The new system
will utilize machine-crimped terminals. These terminals will reduce assembly
time and improve reliability."
The new part also has seals inside the cap to protect the connector from
dirt and moisture when it's not in use.
"The new connector is much more durable than previous models," explained
Bob Burlew, a GM engineer on USCAR's electrical partnership. "The terminals
in the new part are plated to prevent corrosion, and the tow vehicle wires
also are sealed."
Customers are not the only ones to benefit from the new trailer tow
connection system. Suppliers will be able to produce the system quicker by
avoiding the current labor-intensive assembly process.
The supplier of this part for Chrysler and Ford is Pollak Engineered
Products in Boston; GM's supplier is Delphi Packard in Warren, Ohio.
This is the second standardized and improved part designed by the USCAR
electrical team that is being phased into domestic vehicles. The first part
is the new cigarette lighter/power outlet, which is more reliable and usable
than current designs.
In the future, standards also will be developed by the USCAR electrical
wiring partnership for terminals, miniature bulbs, temperature and engine
sensors, horns, underhood lights, oil pressure switches, blower motors for
heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and fuel pump motors.
SOURCE USCAR
