Trailer wiring confusion

[dieselkk]

Whats the deal on the back ordered trailer wiring module? Is it really nessessary? I bought a trailer wiring isolater for my ML500 benz and had no problems, can I do the same here on this '07 BMW X3? Any help will help.

[davidr]

Yes if you want the X3 to correctly recognise when a trailer is hitched and to adjust rear parking sensors, light failure check control system and stability management system. I'd go with the BMW retro-fit - much cleaner install into a sophisticated system designed to be extensible when towing.

[dieselkk]

My X3 doesn't have rear parking sensors. The other reason for my reluctancy to go with the BMW module is the cost of the thing.

[Bora20]

It will cost you more in the end when you install the generic one and then have to install the BMW unit.

It is a $50K SUV, pony up and spend the extra hundred dollars on the one that will work the first time.

[X3eme]

Originally Posted by dieselkk

My X3 doesn't have rear parking sensors. The other reason for my reluctancy to go with the BMW module is the cost of the thing.

I don't know if you were planning to do-it-yourself, but that is another reason to use the BMW unit. Very easy to install. Essentially plug and play. It would also save a little money. Check out this link, probably similar for '07s:

http://www.x3world.com/articles/x3/b...h-2006-x3.html

[dieselkk]

My dealer finally received the wiring components, from another hitch package, and I have sucessfully installed the wiring on my X3. Everything went together easily. I didn't even have to remove the bumper cover. I will however be posting a complaint section about MY first impressions of this X3. Everything from the transmission to navagation.

[marckissel]

Did you have an electric brake controller installed?

I have a factory, dealer-installed hitch, but need one to tow our pop-up trailer. It does have the 6/7 pin electric hookup.

I don't want to mess with things until I get it all sorted out.

[dieselkk]

I did not need an electric brake controller in my towing application. I spent more money on the wiring harness from BMW than I did on the hardware. The factory harness installs very easily and worked perfect. If I remember correctly, there were more than 4 wires going out to the recepticle, those extra wires might have something to do with electric brakes. Judging by my past experiences with towing and trailers, this BMW (X3) might not be up to the task of towing anything that would require electric brakes.

[marckissel]

Thanks for the reply.

I'll get in there to look at the wires. Mine has the extra electrical wires/pins so it may be easy to do the brake controller piggyback setup (who knows if the dealer connected them all, but we'll find out!). I should have insisted the dealer turn over the installation instructions, as well as taken a look at it first. Live and learn, I guess.

As for the weight - the pop-up weighs about 1,900 pounds, so even with junk/stuff in it we don't exceed 2,500, so we'll be okay.

Here in New York, the electric brake is mandatory, and besides, it does lighten the brake load on the tow vehicle, so to speak.

[Rick in Prescott]

There's a complaint section? Couldn't have a lot of stuff in it cause I couldn't find one.