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  #1  
Old 01-04-2016, 10:20 PM
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Non-towing, tow package...???

Hi all, new to the forum. Just picked up an 01 X5 4.4i that does not have the towing package....

However, when I was going through the vehicle I noticed there is a fuse in rear rear fuse box for the "towing lights." Also saw this plug next to it....

So are these things pre-wired for the electrical? I was thinking I would have to splice into the taillight wiring...??
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  #2  
Old 01-04-2016, 10:45 PM
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That's not the connector for the towing harness.

This is
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Old 01-04-2016, 10:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmv View Post
That's not the connector for the towing harness.

This is
Got it thanks....so is that installed in all X5s? Or only if it came with the towing package?

Just would seem strange If I have a fuse for it, but no wiring....??
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Old 01-05-2016, 01:17 AM
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All prewired
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Installed! e53 OEM trailer hitch and wiring harness. No longer for sale
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Old 01-05-2016, 10:42 AM
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Not as "plug & play" as you might think.

The rear bumper has to be removed to install the OE harness, and that's IF you can find a harness and module.

ECS has the Siemens module (no harness) $230.
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Old 01-06-2016, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by TiAgX5 View Post
Not as "plug & play" as you might think.

The rear bumper has to be removed to install the OE harness, and that's IF you can find a harness and module.

ECS has the Siemens module (no harness) $230.
Even so, sound better than running all the wire to me.
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Old 01-06-2016, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Jake335i View Post
Even so, sound better than running all the wire to me.
You don't need the factory harness if all your looking for is running lights, infact you really don't need it at all. I install hitches on these rigs quite often at my shop and there is aftermarket pieces that are available. The only thing that I have seen going OEM offers is that it will disable the PDC when your in reverse, lock out the ride height control, and on some will monitor the lighting of the trailer, that may have been the e70's tho.

I have a 7 way with charge line on the back of my e53 with brakes being controlled from a p3 control mounted in the center console.
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Old 01-06-2016, 02:50 PM
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I always found disabling the rear PDC when a trailer is connected to be handy. I also like the fact that with the factory wiring module, when the vehicle senses a trailer is connected it can access a Trailer Stability program in the Dynamic Stability Control if it detects trailer sway.

Towing package is a misnomer. There is no factory towing package in the sense that the vehicles are built any differently. All vehicles are prewired, but only partially.

There is a BMW trailer hitch kit available from dealers that includes not only the physical receiver hitch, but the Siemens module and interconnecting wiring that runs from the factory harness to the plug on the receiver.
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Old 01-06-2016, 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by JCL View Post
There is a BMW trailer hitch kit available from dealers that includes not only the physical receiver hitch, but the Siemens module and interconnecting wiring that runs from the factory harness to the plug on the receiver.
This has been discontinued, ecs had a few of them but now it look as tho they are out themselves. I have always found using a trailer sway bar combats any sway the trailer can cause and is adjustable, course all I ever tow with mine are my quads.
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Old 01-06-2016, 07:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lowblock View Post
The only thing that I have seen going OEM offers is that it will disable the PDC when your in reverse, lock out the ride height control, and on some will monitor the lighting of the trailer, that may have been the e70's tho.
Trailer lighting monitoring is enabled on the E53 - or at least it is on my '05.
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