TOW ASSIST ™
ABS & SWAY MITIGATION SYSTEM

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Tow Assist Configuration Kit - K58-032-00
The kit includes a USB to CAN converter module which allows the PC
software to talk to the ECU via the automotive CAN protocol. It has
a red LED that indicates its status with the Tow Assist ECU. The other
component is the 15’ long black communication cable. It connects the
CAN converter to the OBD2 connector on the Tow Assist system. It is a
specialized cable for this system.

5.

The USB Copy Protection login dialog box will appear. Make sure the
Username is “TowAssist” as shown, it should be the default selection.
Enter the password given you by your Dexter representative as shown
and click OK. Note: You must have password assigned by Dexter
to proceed. Please contact your account manager if you do not
have this information.

6.

The USB drive file explorer will open as shown. You will need
administrator rights to the PC to install the software

7.

Double click on “StartInstaller.exe” as highlighted below. This will
start the installation process and your individual PC may ask if you
want to allow “Kakasoft” to make changes to your PC, click “yes” or
“allow”, etc, to proceed.

8.

The following dialog box will appear after the installer gathers install
information and displays it. Click OK to proceed.

The kit also includes a voucher for the installation software. Contact
your Dexter representative to obtain the Tow Assist Configuration Tool
Software. Obtain the software USB card and then follow the instructions
below. THE TOOL WILL ONLY OPERATE CORRECTLY ON A COMPUTER
RUNNING MICROSOFT WINDOWS 7 OR 10 WITH A 64 BIT OPERATION
SYSTEM. NO OTHER OPERATING SYSTEM IS SUPPORTED FOR THIS
TOOL.
1.

Connect the black cable and the USB CAN converter at the 9-PIN
D connector.

IMPORTANT: Secure this connection by tightening the 2 screws on the
silver connector to the CAN converter. If the connection is not secure it
may prevent communication to the Tow Assist system.

2.

Be careful not to apply excessive force to this connection. Check
periodically to make sure this connection is secure.

3.

Insert the USB card into the USB port on the PC. If your PC only has
a Type C port you will need to obtain a converter that has a USB
Type A port on it.

4.

Within Windows File Explorer go to the USB disk that appeared that
should be named DTACTI Vx.x (where X.X is version number). Double
click on the “Towassist” file as shown below.

©2020 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com

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059-A46-00 Rev. A | 2020.09

9.

The Microsoft library installer will appear which will install a needed
library for the software. Click the Ok or similar button to continue.
When complete the following dialog box will appear. Click OK to
continue.

14. When complete the PC will have a “Dexter Tow Assist Configuration
Tool” folder within the local disk Program Files folder. There will also
be the shortcut placed onto the PC desktop.
15. Safely eject and remove the USB Card from the PC port.
16. Plug the USB CAN cable into any available Type A port. The red LED
will light solid on the USB converter signifying the proper driver has
been installed.
17. You are now ready to configure Tow Assist systems using the PC based
Configuration Tool. Please refer to the installation instructions received
with the harness and ECU kit to successfully configure your system.
IMPORTANT NOTE:

10. The PEAK driver install will now appear installing the driver for
the USB/CAN interface. Click OK or Next to proceed and click the
buttons as prompted to proceed with installation. When done the
dialog box will appear, click OK to proceed.

By utilizing the Dexter Tow Assist Configuration Tool you accept that you
have read, understood and agreed to the terms of usage in this document.
Distribution and usage of the Dexter Tow Assist Configuration Tool should
be carefully tracked to ensure that it is only used for the intended purpose.
The Dexter Tow Assist ECUs have to be configured with the correct trailer
configuration (Trailer Axle, Tire and External Load Settings). “Dexter Tow
Assist Configuration Tool” (hereinafter referred to as “TOOL”) issued to
configure the Non-Volatile-Memory (NVM) settings in the Tow Assist
ECUs. The TOOL incorporates computer software in encoded form.
The TOOL may be used to configure Trailer Axle Settings, Tire Settings,
External Load Settings and VIN Numbers. It can also read the ECU
Hardware Number, ECU Serial Number, SW Number, Odometer, VIN, Tow
Assist Part Number and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). It can also
Clear, refresh and export DTCs as well as reset the ECU and export LTM.

11. The Tow Assist Program will now be installed. Follow the prompts to
install the program in the indicated location. The following dialog box
will appear when complete. Click OK to proceed.

The TOOL may not be used to do anything different as stated above. The
terms “use” or “to use” mean the access, installation and operation of
the TOOL.
The uncontrolled distribution of the TOOL is not allowed. Only Dexter’s
direct customers of the Tow Assist product shall have access to the
TOOL. Users shall not copy the TOOL or any related files other than for
the purpose specified in section above.
Users shall not reverse engineer or decompile the TOOL or make any
attempt to determine the source code.

12. The program will be registered to your PC and when complete the
dialog box below will be displayed. Click OK to proceed.

Limitations to this tool release
THE TOOL WILL ONLY OPERATE CORRECTLY ON A COMPUTER RUNNING
MICROSOFT WINDOWS 7 OR 10 WITH A 64 BIT OPERATION SYSTEM.
NO OTHER OPERATING SYSTEM IS SUPPORTED FOR THIS TOOL.

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13. The system will now need to be re-started to complete installation.
There will be folders in the system program files location for PEAK
and for Dexter and a shortcut added to the desktop.

©2020 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com

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059-A46-00 Rev. A | 2020.09