trailer hitch saga

[JCL]

Originally Posted by TowX

The capability needs to be initiated by the dealer. Just plugging in the wiring does not make it happen. After I installed my hitch and wiring, my dealer did the initialization for me, which enabled stability for sway, but also eliminated the problem many have with the blinkers flashing too fast when the trailer is hooked up, and eliminated the occasional lights dimly flashing with the trailer hooked up even with the ignition off. Also shits off the rear PDC when trailer is plugged in, but leaves the front sensors active.

Many wonder why use the factory trailer wiring setup, but it has so many features beyond just lights, that I can't imagine using anything else.

That may be true for your 2004 model with the new X drive, but my 2003 did not require initialization by the dealer. I used the BMW technical service bulletin to install it, and it never mentioned any settings. The TSB did mention that the trailer stability control was enabled. My rear PDC defeat worked fine, and the only problem I had with fast-blinking turn signals was solved with an additional ground wire because the hitch was not a good ground.

Not sure when the dealer initialization became effective, but many of us installed hitches over the years and never had to do it.

[zimster28]

My dealer did in fact take a hitch and light module off of one of their used cars in the lot. I asked and five minutes later after talking to the used car manager they agreed to do it. no charge for the hitch itself. I was only charged labor, 3 hours to remove and 3 hours to install. ^ hours labor and that was it. talk about great service.

[shaunatl]

Originally Posted by JCL

That may be true for your 2004 model with the new X drive, but my 2003 did not require initialization by the dealer. I used the BMW technical service bulletin to install it, and it never mentioned any settings. The TSB did mention that the trailer stability control was enabled. My rear PDC defeat worked fine, and the only problem I had with fast-blinking turn signals was solved with an additional ground wire because the hitch was not a good ground.

Not sure when the dealer initialization became effective, but many of us installed hitches over the years and never had to do it.

If your 03 was purchased used, maybe it had previously had a hitch installed and later removed prior to you purchasing?

I have an 03, 10/02 production, and it has all the symptoms of needing initialization - fast blinkers, trailer lights flashing regularly, and PDC staying enabled even when the trailer is connected.

I am planning to take it into the dealer on Friday to have the programming done. For those who have already had it done, do you recall how long it took?

[kishg]

yeah, i'll be around the 4k mark. my e30s around the 2500 mark (sans driver). looking at an aluminum trailer (under 1k) + lets say 500lbs max in tires/tools. good tip about National, tks. now i understand why i was confused, when i heard westfalia, i assumed it was the WV accessory maker.

Originally Posted by TowX

What are you using for a trailer? E30 track car should be in the 2700-2800 lb range, so with a basic trailer you should be under 4000 lbs. If you can't come up with a hitch by the March event, try National car rental. They have a lot of Chevy Trailblazers to rent. Every rental company orders their vehicles without hitches on purpose, but the hitch is standard on the Trailblazer. Class III receiver. They don't want you to tow with it, but I've done that in a pinch. Just be friendly with the local National location to be sure they hold a Trailblazer for you and not any other SIUV.

For the hitch manufacturer, I think you're close. Westfalia, but made in SC. Here's the info I was able to dig up some months ago but never pursued it. give it a shot.

Company Name: Westfalia American Hitch, Inc
Address: 161 Se Rock Church Rd, Greenwood, SC 29649-8775 (Map)
Alt Business Name: Westfalia American Hitch
Location Type: Single Location
Est. Annual Sales: View Details
Est. # of Employees: 4
Est. Empl. at Loc.: 4
Year Started: 2006
State of Incorp:
SIC #Code: View Details
Contact's Name: Keith Anderson
Contact's Title: President
(864) 223-5519

[kishg]

Originally Posted by zimster28

My dealer did in fact take a hitch and light module off of one of their used cars in the lot. I asked and five minutes later after talking to the used car manager they agreed to do it. no charge for the hitch itself. I was only charged labor, 3 hours to remove and 3 hours to install. ^ hours labor and that was it. talk about great service.

heck, i'd even pay for the hitch + labor to swap at this point. one of my local dealers quoted me $900 installed provided they find one in their inventory.

[odo]

One more thing to think about... My mechanic told me that the car from which the hitch is removed also has to be reprogrammed by the dealer when the trailer module is removed from it.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by shaunatl

If your 03 was purchased used, maybe it had previously had a hitch installed and later removed prior to you purchasing?

I have an 03, 10/02 production, and it has all the symptoms of needing initialization - fast blinkers, trailer lights flashing regularly, and PDC staying enabled even when the trailer is connected.

I am planning to take it into the dealer on Friday to have the programming done. For those who have already had it done, do you recall how long it took?

Nope, I bought it new in March 2003 (I think it was January production) and installed the hitch myself. So did many others on this site. The first report of re-initialization being required that we heard here was quite recent. I think it is more likely that one of the many software updates released over the past few years for things like transmission shifting has code that fails to recognize the trailer light module.

[shaunatl]

Originally Posted by JCL

So did many others on this site. The first report of re-initialization being required that we heard here was quite recent. I think it is more likely that one of the many software updates released over the past few years for things like transmission shifting has code that fails to recognize the trailer light module.

Does anyone have more details (maybe a reference number of some sort) about what is actually done during the "initialization"? Maybe it's listed on the invoice?

[TowX]

Originally Posted by JCL

Nope, I bought it new in March 2003 (I think it was January production) and installed the hitch myself. So did many others on this site. The first report of re-initialization being required that we heard here was quite recent. I think it is more likely that one of the many software updates released over the past few years for things like transmission shifting has code that fails to recognize the trailer light module.

I did my hitch installation myself too, along with the factory wiring. Did NOT initialize by itself. Shop foreman at my dealer also tows a trailer with his X5, and said they all need initialization.

Took him maybe 15 minutes with the X5 plugged into their diagnostic equipment to initialize. At the same time he changed the volume of my PDC, reset the speed sensing volume for the stereo.

[ncsucarjock]

Folks,
I am posting a new thread about a group purchase of hitches from the EU. I have a friend there who can get hitches at a reasonable cost that mount the way the OEM hitch mounts.