Sandpebble
10-05-2007, 04:05 PM
I am seeking technical information about the posible use of the ESC and/or the VSC system to work as braking and breakaway for CRV's being towed. Since many tow this unit behind a motorhome in the US,and elsewhere,and need a braking system and a breakaway (a way to stop the towed vehicle if it disengages from the tow vehicle while moving)due to laws requiring such a system.Currently 18 states require brakes on towed (or toad) vehicles weighing over 3000LBS. Most CRV's weigh just over 3000LBS. which makes them subject to the laws requiring braking systems. There are aftermarket devises that will do the required braking and stopping. The newer CRV's have ESC which we are wondering if it can be reflashed to brake sensitive to meet the laws. Anyone with knowledge of the Honda ESC and/or other ESC units please add technical information to this thread.Please stay away from opinions without technical support. The CRV I have is a 2006 2WD ES model.It has a DE(type:9AWWW)ESC. To remain clear if you refer to any system please state the ESC name, type and year and manufacture of vehicle, to avoid confusion. It is understood that by 2011 all vehicles with be required to have ESC,as it has proven to save many lives. The towing laws require stopping a brakaway vehicle which if this ESC system can be made to do could also stop a vehicle not in control by any other reason,saving many more lives. We seek to educate the ESC by perhaps reflashing and modifying it to also be able to apply brakes as the vehicle towing it slows.This then would put the toad CRV's and any other vehicle equiped with the educated ESC in a safer design category. The proposed name of the new system is ESCPHD. Hoping Techies can help tell us if we can do this,and how.The NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Authority, of the US Government) has been asked to assist in this for incorporation into a national system and law. I will report their feedback. Bosch Brakes of Europe the bigest Manufacture of Braking systems has been asked by me to respond to this proposal.