Communications link between a tractor and trailer utilizing tractor circuitry

A trailer communication system for establishing communications with an external system comprising:

• an electrical connector mounted to a trailer and having a number of electrical terminals adapted for connection to an electrical system external to the trailer;
• a trailer electrical system including a first turn signal circuit having a first turn signal circuit path connected to one of said electrical terminals of said electrical connector;
• and
• a communications device having a first communications port connected to said first turn signal circuit path, said communications device monitoring said first communications port and permitting communications over said first turn signal circuit path as long as said first turn signal circuit is inactive.

A tractor and trailer communications link comprising:

• a tractor electrical system associated with a tractor and including a first turn signal circuit defining a first turn signal circuit path;
• a tractor communications device associated with the tractor and having a first communications port connected to said first turn signal circuit path of said tractor electrical system;
• a trailer electrical system associated with a trailer and including a first turn signal circuit defining a first turn signal circuit path;
• a trailer communications device associated with the trailer and having a first communications port connected to said first turn signal circuit path of said trailer electrical system;
• and
• an electrical connection device extending between the tractor and trailer and connecting said first turn signal circuit path of said tractor electrical system to said first turn signal circuit path of said trailer electrical system to thereby complete a first turn signal circuit, said tractor and trailer communications devices monitoring said first communications ports respectively thereof and permitting communication therebetween over said first turn signal circuit as long as said first turn signal circuit is inactive.

A method of establishing a communications link between a tractor and a trailer, comprising the steps of:

• connecting a first tractor turn signal circuit to a first trailer turn signal circuit to complete a first turn signal circuit;
• monitoring said first turn signal circuit;
• and
• establishing a communications link on said first turn signal circuit as long as said first trailer turn signal circuit is inactive.