How to Connect Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to Your Caravan?
David received a question about connecting the ESC to the caravan batteries in the Jayco Crosstrak.
Question: I am a complete caravan novice. I have a Jayco Crosstrak (and am still waiting for delivery of a new Prado). I have installed WiTi Antitheft and a Wireless brake controller. I am planning to use their wireless towing interface.
Is there any reason why I cannot connect the ESC to the caravan batteries? (from Christopher)
Answer (David Bayliss): Thanks for your question and one which yet we have not covered. The WITI product is a relative newcomer onto the market and as such I have not seen a lot of commentary in regard to its interoperability with trailer brakes. However, after digesting its product info and our intimate knowledge of sway systems such as the ESC and BMPRO SwayControl, I am happy to share the following.
The ESC system has been designed to take power from the towing vehicle. As such, it is recommended to wire appropriately through a 12-pin plug or via a separate two-pin Anderson connection. It recommends constant power supplied from the tow vehicle, whereas the BMPRO SwayControl is designed to maximise the opportunity to utilise the caravan house battery. There are benefits and pitfalls to both.
The ESC system from AL-KO is suitable where there is no battery in the caravan and thus can use the power from the towing vehicle. In my experience with this system, the downfall is that you need to ensure that your connections from the towing vehicle are well maintained and in tip-top working condition. Otherwise, you can experience the ESC cutting in and out when it is required without the driver having any knowledge of this actually happening.
The BMPRO SwayControl, however, enables you to utilise the house battery in your caravan, which is powered directly from this battery. So, you will need to ensure that there a battery onboard, and that it is maintained and charged to such a level that it can provide adequate power requirements.
Therefore, I would strongly recommend that you keep the ESC wiring powered from the tow vehicle as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. To ensure that these safety systems work effectively, it is imperative that the wiring for the ESC is kept as a dedicated system. From a power management and earthing perspective, it would also be wise to ensure that the WITI system is kept dedicated to its purposes and the ESC is left independent to function effectively. It is recommended that only authorised installers operate on this ESC system to ensure its integrity.
Unlike the SwayControl, the ESC system does not have an off-road mode. Therefore, when rounding kerbs/roundabouts or heading off-road, if not separated from its power source, such as the 12V Anderson connection from the towing vehicle, it is likely to activate the brakes on the caravan unnecessarily. Therefore, if the ESC was connected directly to the caravan batteries, it could cause unnecessary braking in rough terrain due to its permanent power source. In addition, if a constant power source is supplied to the ESC, it is likely to drain the house battery, whereas if it is powered only from the towed vehicle, when the ignition is turned off, so does the ESC, thus preventing battery drain.
Therefore, overall, we would strongly suggest installing safety systems such as the ESC or SwayControl exactly as per the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure that it meets your expectations, especially in the case of an extreme emergency.
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This article was written by David Bayliss, with photos by Editorial Team, and previously appeared at TradeRVs.com.au, now powered by OnlyVans.com.au.
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