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Trailer Stability Program, or TSP, is an extension of the car safety system known as Electronic Stability Control, or ESC. It applies exclusively to trailers and caravans. TSP is designed as an extension to ESC and, provided a vehicle specific tow bar wiring kit is used, is automatically turned on whenever a trailer plug is connected into the vehicles towing socket. The use of universal by-pass electrics (relays) will not communicate with the system, and will therefore not inform the vehicle that a trailer/caravan has been connected. The system uses the information from the ESC sensors to monitor the movement of the towing combination and check for any “snaking” movements, and to control them before they become dangerous.

A trailer or caravan may start to snake dangerously for several reasons. Manner of driving, crosswinds, speed, condition of the road surface and/or a badly laden caravan or trailer can cause problems. If any snaking starts, most drivers will react by counter steering the vehicle or speeding up. Both of these are dangerous as they amplify the effect of the sway and may result in an accident.

The TSP system uses sensors mounted in the vehicle, called yaw sensors, to detect any snaking motion. The system will then brake the wheels of the vehicle independently of each other and cut power to the engine, to counteract the sway and reduce the speed.

While this occurs, the driver will see the ESP light on the instrument display flash whilst the system controls the combination, and they should try to keep the vehicle on as straight a line as possible. Some vehicles will brake hard in order to reduce the speed, this can catch out some unprepared inexperienced drivers.

External links

  • Right Connections Short TSP Information Video

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trailer_Stability_Program”
Categories: Vehicles | Automotive technologiesHidden categories: Articles lacking sources from October 2008 | All articles lacking sources


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