Tow experts: Which Tekonsha brake controller do I buy? - Page 2

kishg · #11 10-01-2009, 03:42 PM

tks guys. renaissanceman, what class do you race in? mine's a Spec E30.

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jsracer · #12 10-02-2009, 09:20 AM

I finished installing my brake controller very late last Friday, made a 4 hour tow to Watkins Glen without a problem. Used the LCM for brake. I ran a four wire 12 guage to the trunk for power ground and e-brakes. Trailer place recommended using the third brake light as a source which is why I ran the four wire cable, as it was late I thought it would be easier to just grab the signal from the LCM. I also used the Prodigy. What a difference from my Durango and no-name brake controller. The old controller was too much when going slow and not enough when trying to stop quickly when going fast. Also going up hills I would have to downshift in the Durango to hold the lower gear, what a pleasure it was with the X5, I could lift and it would hold the lower gear. A smart transmission is great. I just have to figure out what speed is best for cruising, 70 feels fine, but so does 80...

kishg · #13 10-02-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsracer

I finished installing my brake controller very late last Friday, made a 4 hour tow to Watkins Glen without a problem. Used the LCM for brake. I ran a four wire 12 guage to the trunk for power ground and e-brakes. Trailer place recommended using the third brake light as a source which is why I ran the four wire cable, as it was late I thought it would be easier to just grab the signal from the LCM. I also used the Prodigy. What a difference from my Durango and no-name brake controller. The old controller was too much when going slow and not enough when trying to stop quickly when going fast. Also going up hills I would have to downshift in the Durango to hold the lower gear, what a pleasure it was with the X5, I could lift and it would hold the lower gear. A smart transmission is great. I just have to figure out what speed is best for cruising, 70 feels fine, but so does 80...

nice. why didn't you get power/ground from the engine bay? were you up at WGI with GVC BMWCCA?

jsracer · #14 10-02-2009, 04:20 PM

Just ran with what the trailer place suggested, since it was a bundeled cable it was easy to run, and there was a spare slot in the power (panel) in the wheel well.

Yeah I ran with the GVC chapter, first enduro I have done in awhile. Good thing too, windsheild wiper broke, was able to use the pit to swap with passenger side.

kishg · #15 10-02-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsracer

Just ran with what the trailer place suggested, since it was a bundeled cable it was easy to run, and there was a spare slot in the power (panel) in the wheel well.

Yeah I ran with the GVC chapter, first enduro I have done in awhile. Good thing too, windsheild wiper broke, was able to use the pit to swap with passenger side.

cool. what car/class?

ninekrpm · #16 02-18-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenaissanceMan

Hi everyone-

I'm getting my 'new to me' X5 ready for its first towing gig next weekend. I have just had the factory tow package installed by my local dealer, and now am getting ready to purchase a brake controller. From the research I have done on this forum it appears I need to purchase a Prodigy brake controller to install.

Well, instead of starting a new thread regarding towing, I figure I would ask my questions in a existing one to get my 4.8is setup for towing this season.

The OP notes in the post above, that he had the Tow package installed from the dealer. Does he mean that he had the hitch installed? Is this something else that I would need to get programmed to bring the car into tow mode?

So far I have picked an OEM hitch and plan to purchase a Tekonsha P-3 brake controller.

What else do I need?

P.S. I will be towing an 18' Featherlite trailer @ approximatly 1500#'s and my track car, which is at 3000#'s. All in all, I expect to tow a max of 5000#'s.

RenaissanceMan · #17 02-18-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninekrpm

Well, instead of starting a new thread regarding towing, I figure I would ask my questions in a existing one to get my 4.8is setup for towing this season.

The OP notes in the post above, that he had the Tow package installed from the dealer. Does he mean that he had the hitch installed? Is this something else that I would need to get programmed to bring the car into tow mode?

So far I have picked an OEM hitch and plan to purchase a Tekonsha P-3 brake controller.

What else do I need?

P.S. I will be towing an 18' Featherlite trailer @ approximatly 1500#'s and my track car, which is at 3000#'s. All in all, I expect to tow a max of 5000#'s.

Yup, I had the factory hitch installed by the dealer. You won't need any additional programming if you have this installed. The only other thing you are going to have to do is install your brake controller. This is not an inherently obvious process, but it is not too difficult, either. Mine was a Tekonsha Prodigy, but I believe all the connections would be the same for yours. See the installation links posted above in this thread. I actually ended up having to use both sets of installation instructions in order to complete the job.

RenaissanceMan · #18 02-18-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kishg

tks guys. renaissanceman, what class do you race in? mine's a Spec E30.

hi kishg-

my car was running in nasa ttd last year (i have an m50 conversion), but i'm trying to develop it for gts challenge this year. i have a bunch of buddies that run spec e30. looks like a lot of fun!!!