Trailer hauling load limit protection system

A method for limiting operation of a vehicle when towing a trailer, the method comprising:

• detecting an actual transmission shift point of a transmission on the vehicle while the vehicle is towing the trailer;
• transmitting a data signal from a vehicle sensor indicative of a vehicle operating parameter;
• determining an expected transmission shift point of the transmission when towing a trailer having a weight substantially equal to a maximum allowable weight limit for the vehicle based on the vehicle operating parameter;
• comparing the actual transmission shift point with the expected transmission shift point;
• and
• initiating at least one vehicle protection measure for limiting operation of the vehicle when the actual transmission shift point occurs after the expected transmission shift point.

A trailer hauling load limit protection apparatus comprising:

• at least one or more computing devices configured for communication with at least one vehicle sensor, the at least one or more computing devices comprising:
• one or more processors for controlling operation of the one or more computing devices;
• one or more memory for storing data and program instructions used by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
• determine an actual vehicle acceleration based on a first signal received from the at least one vehicle sensor;
• determine an expected vehicle acceleration of the vehicle when towing a trailer having a weight substantially equal to a maximum allowable weight limit for the vehicle based on a second signal received from the at least one vehicle sensor;
• compare the actual vehicle acceleration to the expected vehicle acceleration;
• and
• transmit a command to a vehicle system to implement at least one vehicle protection measure for limiting operation of the vehicle when the actual vehicle acceleration is equal to or less than the expected vehicle acceleration.

A trailer hauling load limit protection apparatus comprising:

• at least one or more computing devices configured for communication with at least one vehicle sensor, the at least one or more computing devices comprising:
• one or more processors for controlling operation of the one or more computing devices;
• one or more memory for storing data and program instructions used by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
• determine an expected transmission shift point of the vehicle when towing a trailer having a weight substantially equal to a maximum allowable weight limit for the vehicle based on a data signal received from the at least one vehicle sensor;
• compare an actual transmission shift point with the expected transmission shift point;
• and
• transmit a command to a vehicle system to implement at least one vehicle protection measure for limiting operation of the vehicle when the actual transmission shift point occurs after the expected transmission shift point.