Collect money with the trailer

Collect money with the trailer

Peter Dank, Jaeger Automotive area manager and trailer hitch expert, puts it bluntly: "On average, our German workshop customers install five to ten trailer hitches a year. It doesn't sound like a lot, but with the right kits, the workload can be reduced and the yield increased." Zack, and now a dozen practitioners are listening with pricked ears to a fundamentally semi-interesting topic. Strong entry.

“With the right kits, the workload can be reduced and the yield can be increased.”  PETER DANK, JAEGER AUTOMOTIVE

COMPLICATED WAS YESTERDAY

The sticking points with retrofittable trailer devices are, on the one hand, the vehicle electronics and, on the other hand, the high amount of disassembly and assembly required until the device is really securely screwed in and all body parts are in the right place. Expert Dank has a tip ready for this: “In winter, the vehicles should be left in the workshop for around two to four hours before dismantling so that the plastic noses and clips can adapt to the room temperature.” This prevents the brittle plastic material from breaking or splintering immediately if the technique is incorrect. Not insignificant because, especially in older used cars, two demolished retaining lugs can mean a replacement part at the workshop's expense - without a lug or clip, there is no secure part hold. This can be expensive and time-consuming, especially with more exotic vehicles. To make assembly easier for mechanics - after all, you don't assemble a trailer hitch very often - Jaeger Automotive offers its premium kits. This contains all the components required for assembly: screws, cables, installation instructions and much more. Dank explains from practice: "We have vehicle-specific electrical kits for many of the most common models. This eliminates the need to open the cable harness, as all of our kits are supplied with the adapters that fit the vehicle." This means: simply plug in the supplied electrical kit and you're done.

ONE KIT, NO PROBLEMS

Dank emphasizes that the price difference between the premium and standard kit is often compensated for by the reduced working time alone. Because: The premium kits contain all the assembly aids that Jaeger has to offer. These are called, for example, Easy TrailerCheck (checking the lighting functions without a second person), Easy Diagnostics (two LEDs on a module provide information about whether the CAN bus, power and ground connection is correct) or Easy Pin (a socket that is particularly easy to install). Both kits include coding help and technical support. By the way: Jaeger Automotive offers many useful assembly videos on its YouTube channel should questions arise in the workshop.

CODING AS A NEEDLE EYE

A recurring problem is the coding after installing the trailer hitches, says Dank. “In order to adjust the driving assistance systems to trailer operation, crucial functions usually have to be changed using the diagnostic device at the heart of the vehicle programming.” Jaeger works with many diagnostic device manufacturers and shows step by step in the assembly documents which digital ticks need to be set where. And should problems arise: "... don't hesitate and call us. There are professionals on our hotline who can explain to you what needs to be done in a time-saving and simple manner." If all else fails, remote intervention is also possible via the diagnostic device manufacturer. This makes vehicle-specific coding child's play. A final tip from the expert: "When ordering our kits, pay attention to any additional equipment the customer's vehicle may have. Some equipment options require different connections. If in doubt, order both kits and send the other one back to us." This is what practical help looks like.