Patent ID: 8179238

Claim:
A method of remotely monitoring at least one trailer attached to a vehicle comprising: establishing a communication with an ABS electronic control unit located on the at least one trailer; receiving a ABS identification number from the ABS electronic control unit, associating the ABS identification number with the at least one trailer; transmitting the ABS identification number to a remote processor; and receiving the ABS identification number at the remote processor; wherein the method further comprises: monitoring a plurality of sequential ABS electronic control unit broadcast signals; sending a communication signal to at least one of the plurality of ABS electronic control units upon a missed broadcast signal; generating an unhook event if the at least one of the plurality of ABS electronic control units does not respond to the communication signal; and recording at least one of a trailer ending mileage, a trailer ending location, a date and a time upon the generation of an unhook event; wherein the steps of establishing a communication with an ABS electronic control unit located on the at least one trailer, receiving the ABS identification number from the ABS electronic control unit, associating the ABS identification number with the at least one trailer, and transmitting the ABS identification number to a remote processor are performed by a mobile data terminal device positioned within the vehicle.