I need Towing Package

[Zulu95]

Originally Posted by LudjakR1

wow that is steep for wiring harness, i guess i have no other choice.

It is not a "wiring harness". It is an interface with the on-board vehicle modules that does more than just power the lights on a trailer.

[LudjakR1]

Originally Posted by Zulu95

It is not a "wiring harness". It is an interface with the on-board vehicle modules that does more than just power the lights on a trailer.

yes you are correct, i guess i was just pissed i bought one and now will have to turn around and buy the orignal one which i should have went in the first place oh well learn by mistakes

[Turbo_Bimmer]

I was curious to know, is that interface/wiring kit from BMW a Plug'n Play installation, or the X5 needs to have a certain option installed from factory to accept this interface.
From what I understand, that interface will take care of the parking sensors, lights etc. What about trailer brakes, do we still need a separate controller or this interface takes care of it.
Thanks.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Turbo_Bimmer

I was curious to know, is that interface/wiring kit from BMW a Plug'n Play installation, or the X5 needs to have a certain option installed from factory to accept this interface.
From what I understand, that interface will take care of the parking sensors, lights etc. What about trailer brakes, do we still need a separate controller or this interface takes care of it.
Thanks.

It was originally designed to be plug and play, but as the vehicles became more complicated over the years a situation developed whereby the trailer control module was not always automatically recognized by the vehicle computer when it had been installed. That happened around 2004. From that point, BMW recommended recoding to ensure that the trailer control module (TCM) was recognized as being present. If it wasn't, the lights didn't work when you plugged it in. If it did work when plugged in, no recoding was required. The recoding doesn't change the vehicle software re the trailer wiring features, it just ensures that the TCM is recognized as being there.

The phrase plug and play is very apt, because it is just like plugging in a CD drive in a computer. If the computer recognizes it, it works fine. If the computer doesn't know it is there, it doesn't work. In that case, you tell the computer it is there and all is good.

There is no factory option for trailering. Nothing changes on a North American spec vehicle for towing, other than installing the hitch and trailer wiring kit.

The TCM simply runs the trailer lights. It doesn't control the parking sensors itself, but if the trailer module is installed, and a trailer is connected, it tells the vehicle, which in turn turns off the rear PDC so that it doesn't beep from sensing the trailer.

Similarly, the TCM doesn't have trailer stability control in it, but if the vehicle knows a trailer is connected, via the TCM, then the vehicle dynamic stability control (DSC) activates the include trailer stability control mode in the event of excessive sway.

There is no brake control in the TCM. There is an extra wire in the trailer harness at the hitch, that can be used for the trailer brake activation if you have electric trailer brakes, but you need a separate brake controller installed and connected to that pin. Or, you can use surge brakes if they are legal in your area.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Thanks JCL for the clarification, very informative.
One last thing I forgot to ask, if I order a OE hitch from the dealer, does it come with the wiring harness + interface, or it's a separate item?
I asked the parts guy, he told me the hitch was available, but didn't mention anything about the electrical.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Turbo_Bimmer

Thanks JCL for the clarification, very informative.
One last thing I forgot to ask, if I order a OE hitch from the dealer, does it come with the wiring harness + interface, or it's a separate item?
I asked the parts guy, he told me the hitch was available, but didn't mention anything about the electrical.

I understand that the hitch can be purchased without the electrics, but when I bought each of mine, they came with the electrics. Just get the dealer to confirm. I suspect it will be a package, included.