Next Trailer Hitch Question- Brakes

[hopz]

Sorry if my overly casual reply offended you.

Thanks for the referral to the installation PDF. I had already found that. Now what I would like to find is a source for the controller itself. Perhaps the Airstream dealer sells them?
If you have any clues as to a vendor or supplier for the Automatic Foot Controller No. 1100-28, I would appreciate hearing about it, as would others on the board. Google (and other search engines) show none.

[pazzo]

I installed the OEM hitch about 5 weeks ago with zero problems. Took two of us about four hours, and could probably do it in 2 hours next time.

I later installed the brake controller after reading the excellent instructions posted on this site.

Follow the first of the posted instructions for location of the controller (and type) and for the general wiring routes. Follow the second instructions for tying in the to LCM module located in the passenger footwell. This took me about 3 hours in total, and again, now that I know what I am doing, it would be a lot less time.

Works perfectly for towing my pop-up trailer.

Do a goggle search for the recommended controller - place out in Alabama had the best pricing.

Good luck!

[hopz]

Thanks Pazzo- which controller did you use? If it was the Warner- do you leave the controller attached to the pedal all the time, or only when towing?
If it was the Teknonsha or equivalent, did you put it in the ash tray?
thanks

[withidl]

Originally Posted by hopz

Sorry if my overly casual reply offended you.

Thanks for the referral to the installation PDF. I had already found that. Now what I would like to find is a source for the controller itself. Perhaps the Airstream dealer sells them?
If you have any clues as to a vendor or supplier for the Automatic Foot Controller No. 1100-28, I would appreciate hearing about it, as would others on the board. Google (and other search engines) show none.

No offence taken . I purchased my Airstream and Warner brake controller from Can-Am RV of London, Ontario, Canada. The owners, Andy Thomson and his brother Kirk know more about towing than anyone in the Northern Hemisphere and they welcome inquiries. Their website is:http://www.can-am-rv.com/ where you should be able to contact them about the Warner controller.

[withidl]

Originally Posted by hopz

If it was the Warner- do you leave the controller attached to the pedal all the time, or only when towing?

I've left mine attached for over 60,000 miles. You get used to it being about 1 inch higher. When I hook up I don't have to re-aclamate to a strange brake pedal while driving a 14,000+ pound assembly.

Now, IF your REALLY going to drive the twisties , you may want to remove it so that you can "heel & toe" , but I don't think that kind of driving is done by most of us .

[pazzo]

I installed the Teknonsha (I believe I paid less than $100 on line). I installed it exactly as Myle's article describes, with the exception of not attaching to the brake pedal. For this wire only, I just followed the second set of instructions and wired it to the LCM over in the passenger footwell (actually spliced it to the wire as directed).

To me it was difficult at all, just time consuming getting through the firewall and routing to the back of the X5.

If you buy the OEM hitch from BMW, the instructions reference where to make the connections, what part # you need and they mention a BMW tel # to call for a list of approved controllers.

In regards to your hitch, I had the same dilemma. BMW quoted me $1,500 for parts and installation. A local third party vendor quoted me $250 for a hitch including installation, but would not provide and install a wiring harness, as they had run into problems in the past. BMW do sell the wiring harness and modulator separately at around $200 (not installed).

The wiring harness is very easy to install but needs to be installed at the same time the hitch is (for easy access). I was also concerned that a custom mounting plate would also need to be installed to the hitch to hold the electrical receiver - another cost.

For $500, BMW provide a complete package, hitch and wiring harness. I went this route and it took about 4 hours. No drilling and very straight forward.