Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to a vehicle trailer light assembly monitoring system. An example system includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) connected in series with a light assembly of the vehicle trailer. A voltage driver is configurable by the controller to selectively couple into a gate terminal of the MOSFET one of a first voltage that places the MOSFET in a resistor mode of operation, a second voltage that places the MOSFET in a switched-on mode of operation, or a third voltage that places the MOSFET in a switched-off mode of operation. In an example implementation, the controller determines a presence or an absence of the vehicle trailer and/or of the light assembly, based on evaluating a voltage drop across the light assembly that is detected by the voltage level detector when the MOSFET is placed in the resistor mode of operation.

Abstract: A trailer electrical connector system for a motor vehicle includes a housing configured to be connected to the motor vehicle, a plurality of electrical connectors each configured to connect to a plug-in trailer connector to provide electrical power to a trailer, and a normally closed switch electrically coupled to a pair of the electrical connectors, wherein the normally closed switch is in a closed state when the plug-in trailer connector is not connected to the plurality of electrical connectors and moves to an open state when the plug-in electrical connector is connected to the electrical connectors. The system also includes a controller sensing an electrical signal across the pair of electrical connectors through the normally closed switch and detecting a state of the electrical connection of the trailer to the vehicle based on the detected state.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle backup battery system includes a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle, and a backup battery assembly that is removably mounted to the electrified vehicle. The backup battery assembly is configured to recharge the traction battery pack through a charge port of the electrified vehicle. A traction battery pack charging method includes recharging a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle from a backup battery assembly that is mounted above a roof of the electrified vehicle.

Abstract: Dual-tone horn assemblies and methods of use are disclosed herein. An example dual scroll assembly includes a nozzle having a first portion of the nozzle has a first diameter and a second portion of the nozzle has a second diameter that has a size that is different from the first diameter, a first spiraled channel that receives air from the first portion of the nozzle. The air traveling through the first spiraled channel produces a first tone at a first frequency. A divider plate is disposed between the first spiraled channel and a second spiraled channel. The second spiraled channel receives the air from the second portion of the nozzle. The air traveling through the second spiraled channel produces a second tone at a second frequency. The first tone and the second tone when produced simultaneously create a dyad.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to determine if a trailer is connected to a vehicle. The methods may include determining a connection during an off-state and an on-state of the vehicle. The determinations may be compared to determine whether to enable use of the off-state determination with respect to features of the vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer test module of a vehicle is electrically connected between a trailer tow electrical connector of the vehicle and a wiring harness of the vehicle that carries electrical signals for a trailer such that when the electrical connector of the trailer is attached to the trailer tow electrical connector, the trailer tow electrical connector is between the trailer test module and the electrical connector of the trailer. The trailer test module includes circuitry that replicates an electrical load of the trailer.

Abstract: An electrical resistance of a lamp in communication with a computer is determined. A respective classification for each of the electrical resistance, a vehicle length, and a trailer length is determined. Each classification is associated to a respective range of values of one of the electrical resistance, the vehicle length, or the trailer length. Based on the classifications a trailer that is attached to a vehicle is detected. One or more components of the vehicle are actuated to move the trailer.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle backup battery system includes a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle, and a backup battery assembly that is removably mounted to the electrified vehicle. The backup battery assembly is configured to recharge the traction battery pack through a charge port of the electrified vehicle. A traction battery pack charging method includes recharging a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle from a backup battery assembly that is mounted above a roof of the electrified vehicle.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to determine if a trailer is connected to a vehicle. The methods may include determining a connection during an off-state and an on-state of the vehicle. The determinations may be compared to determine whether to enable use of the off-state determination with respect to features of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical resistance of a lamp in communication with a computer is determined. A respective classification for each of the electrical resistance, a vehicle length, and a trailer length is determined. Each classification is associated to a respective range of values of one of the electrical resistance, the vehicle length, or the trailer length. Based on the classifications a trailer that is attached to a vehicle is detected. One or more components of the vehicle are actuated to move the trailer.

Abstract: Dual-tone horn assemblies and methods of use are disclosed herein. An example dual scroll assembly includes a nozzle having a first portion of the nozzle has a first diameter and a second portion of the nozzle has a second diameter that has a size that is different from the first diameter, a first spiraled channel that receives air from the first portion of the nozzle. The air traveling through the first spiraled channel produces a first tone at a first frequency. A divider plate is disposed between the first spiraled channel and a second spiraled channel. The second spiraled channel receives the air from the second portion of the nozzle. The air traveling through the second spiraled channel produces a second tone at a second frequency. The first tone and the second tone when produced simultaneously create a dyad.

Abstract: A coupler assembly for a trailer hitch includes: a pin extender comprising electrical pins and first slots; a pin receiver comprising pin slots and second and third slots; a housing comprising fourth slots; first stabilizers disposed in the first and second slots; second stabilizers disposed in the third and fourth slots. Each stabilizer includes a spring and a solid head, and the electrical pins are disposed in the pin slots.

Abstract: A coupler assembly for a trailer hitch includes: a pin extender comprising electrical pins and first slots; a pin receiver comprising pin slots and second and third slots; a housing comprising fourth slots; first stabilizers disposed in the first and second slots; second stabilizers disposed in the third and fourth slots. Each stabilizer includes a spring and a solid head, and the electrical pins are disposed in the pin slots.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a magnetic switch and a controller. The magnetic switch is coupled with a trailer connection receptacle housing and aligned with a magnet in a cap of the housing while closed. The controller is configured to, in response to detecting an open position of the cap based on a state of the magnetic switch, periodically supply a voltage pulse less than an operating voltage across contacts of the housing to detect continuity therebetween. The controller is further configured to, in response to detecting a closed position of the cap, inhibit the voltage pulse. The magnetic switch may be a reed switch.