Richard,
The more I think about this problem, the more I think you are right (based
on my original idea of having the automakers come up with the trailer brake
controller as part of the tow vehicle's brake system [or a satisfactory
interface and a compatible brake controller])
GM and Chevrolet have a sizeable (though not significant by automaker
standars) market in tow vehicles - namely Suburbans and Tahoe/Yukons. If
they though they could corner the tow vehicle market, they might be
interested. These vehicles are high profit units compared to most of their
other product lines.
The question is how to get the guys with the sleeve garters and green
eyeshades to come up with a good business case for the company. A start
might be to get the names and addresses of the product managers of the
various tow vehicles and e-mail /Fax / or write to them. If they all
request the product at the same time it might seem like a big opportunity.
Another possibility is to get the GM Delco-Remy unit (now Delphi) to get
into the act They are already making the ABS brake systems and sell to
other automakers beside GM. They also have the design and manufacturing
talent to do the job.
Let's get some more ideas from the VAC folks.
Sincerely,
Oliver Filippi
2141
---- Original Message -----
From: "Richard P. Kenan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Multiple recipients of VACList" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 6:47 PM
Subject: [VAC] Re: Brake Controllers
> At 02:14 PM 2/9/2001 -0800, you wrote:
> [snip]
> >
> >If the folks at Kelsey-Hayes or Tekonsha had gotten a little creative,
I'm
> >sure they could have developed some sort of (electrical) sensor that
could
> >determine the increase in pressure in the tow vehicle's hydraulic brake
> >system initiated by the driver; which doesn't require significant amounts
of
> >hydraulic fluid, and which is not affected by the anti lock brake system.
> >Problem solved.
>
> I imagine that they thought they *had* gotton creative. I remember using
> the K-H hydraulic controller on our old Malibu that we hauled a camper
> with, 1983-1989. Worked great...no changes in properties. I also
remember
> that the auto mfg. did not like people to tap into the brake system, and
> threatened a voiding of warranty. That's about when the 'tail-light'
> controllers were rising in popularity, before the ABS were available,
even.
> >
>
> >Perhaps the best solution would be for the automakers to provide such a
> >towing option as an add on or integral part of the ABS system. This
ABS
> >system already has a computer and knows exactly what the driver is doing.
> >Therefore, it would be the logical component to provide the modulated
signal
> >to the trailer brakes or trailer brake controller.
>
> This would be a great solution...but don't hold your breath. Trailer
> pullers are not a huge part of their markets. Still, seems like they
might
> give it some thought. I wonder how we could let them know that there's a
> need?
>
> - Dick
> (5368)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> -----
> "I'm not young enough to know everything." - Oscar Wilde
> Dick Kenan Tel: 770-451-0672
> Retired and loving it!
> WBCCI # 5368, 28' 1995 Excella
> Atlanta
>
>
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> http://www.mindspring.com/~as5368/
>
>
>
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