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3 Types of Vehicle Wiring Diagrams for Towing

Vehicle Wiring Diagrams for Towing - CURTVehicle Wiring Diagrams for Towing - CURT

Simple Vehicle Wiring Diagrams for Towing

3 Types of Wiring Systems

When towing, your trailer's wiring system needs to be connected to your vehicle's wiring system. This requires a plug and socket, as well as a taillight converter in many cases. The following are some of the different automotive electrical systems used in vehicles today.


2-Wire Automotive System

The two-wire system is the simplest form of vehicle and trailer wiring and is still used by some vehicles today. This system sends the stop or brake signal and the turn signals along one wire, and the taillight signal along a second wire.

2-Wire Vehicle Wiring System with Trailer Connection2-Wire Vehicle Wiring System with Trailer Connection

3-Wire Automotive System

The three-wire system is the most common automotive electrical system. It sends the stop, tail and turn signals along three separate wires. Vehicles with a three-wire system usually require a converter to be able to tow a trailer.

3-Wire Vehicle Wiring System with Trailer Connection3-Wire Vehicle Wiring System with Trailer Connection

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Automotive System

What is pulse width modulation? More and more vehicles today use a PWM wiring system. Sometimes called a 'multiplex' system, this type of wiring is able to control multiple lighting functions through a single wire by varying the signal intensity. PWM systems can use incandescent or LED lights, and they generally fall into one of two categories: ST systems and STT systems.

Pulse Width Modulation ST System with Trailer ConnectionPulse Width Modulation ST System with Trailer Connection

ST System

The ST system (stop / tail) is a PWM system that uses a single wire to control the stop and taillight signals. Separate wires are used to control the left and right turn signals.

Pulse Width Modulation STT System with Trailer ConnectionPulse Width Modulation STT System with Trailer Connection

STT System

The STT system (stop / turn / tail) is a PWM system that uses a single wire to control all three lighting functions: the stop or brake lights, turn signals and taillights.

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