install towing receiver and electric brake control

[ard]

Originally Posted by Kostyan

guys what kind of weight I will be able to tow without brake controller, if anything?

I ordered towing hitch kit from ECS tuning that comes with harness and heading into installation this Friday. If I get just that installed, how difficult is to install brake controller at a later time?

Brake controller install is somewhat in a separate area...youve looked at the links above?

Just dead recollecting it is 3500 pounds. Personally Id be more like 2500, but my ideas on towing were formed many years ago in a family accident with a trailer....

[Tuesday]

I can tell a difference in breaking with 4 guys ( heavy ) in the car. Didn't someone say 1.5 hrs for install of break controller? Trailer breaks are cheap compared to your cars pads and rotors and transmission,let the trailer do the breaking.These are 4,000 pound cars! What are you hauling?

[Davidf]

I believe Joy will be hauling an Airstream trailer and one too large to even consider towing without the trailer brakes connected. My suggestion to Joy was to go with the Prodigy RF brake controller and don't mess up the interior of the X5 with a hardwired controller.

Joy: Don't even consider towing without the trailer brakes working. Regardless of what brake controller you use, spend some time in the parking lot adjusting the controller before you hit the road/highway. I like the to barely feel the trailer contributing to the overall braking effort.

[Kostyan]

Originally Posted by ard

Brake controller install is somewhat in a separate area...youve looked at the links above?

Just dead recollecting it is 3500 pounds. Personally Id be more like 2500, but my ideas on towing were formed many years ago in a family accident with a trailer....

Thanks Ard. Crap. I did not think of the need to get a controller and this ends up being more $$ than I thought,

[ard]

Originally Posted by Kostyan

Thanks Ard. Crap. I did not think of the need to get a controller and this ends up being more $$ than I thought,

Read up on the Prodigy RF- if you can do that, the install is $0. Versus 2 hours at 140 for a bmw dealer to do it, or worse (shudder) and indy to hack about the interior Controller shouldnt be over $250 I think. Amazon.

[Kostyan]

Originally Posted by ard

Read up on the Prodigy RF- if you can do that, the install is $0. Versus 2 hours at 140 for a bmw dealer to do it, or worse (shudder) and indy to hack about the interior Controller shouldnt be over $250 I think. Amazon.

My towing needs are very very infrequent, ie do not own a heavy trailer but was going to rent a camper for a few days once a year and take the family out to campground 150 mi in Delaware, but MD state law requires at least some brakes for trailers over 3000 lbs....

In looking for most reliable and economical solution, I am leaning toward a BMW OEM hard wired controller vs Prodigy RF based on the cost (BMW OEM controller is $211 at ECS Turning vs $300-400 for Prodigy RF) and problems with using latter.

By the way, I found a workaround with pairing Prodigy RF (https://www.etrailer.com/question-105311.html) but can't speak to reliability.

Tekonsha makes several models, including ones that require an old fashioned wire, just like BMW OEM part, while costing only $50 (on the Amazon). I may be open to that if can find any E70 owner feedback on using one.

For the installation, I would not agree to hacking the cupholder but rather have the access wire come out between the console and passenger seat, where it can be neatly folded and stored. I will pull the wire out, connect to controller, and place in the cupholder area only when towing a trailer, but will keep the look of the interior.

[Kostyan]

To piggy back on my prev. post, brake controller installation does not require any coding.

The problem here is to lay the wire from the pass side rear hatch to the front of the car, and this does not require a BMW dealer to do it. Thinking anyone with car audio chops can do it, or any mobile audio installation shop can fish the wire for $50-100.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Kostyan

In looking for most reliable and economical solution, I am leaning toward a BMW OEM hard wired controller vs Prodigy RF based on the cost (BMW OEM controller is $211 at ECS Turning vs $300-400 for Prodigy RF) and problems with using latter.

By the way, I found a workaround with pairing Prodigy RF (https://www.etrailer.com/question-105311.html) but can't speak to reliability.

The BMW one IS A PRODIGY! Just comes with a harness and cupholder thing. BMW doesnt make it, Tekonsha is the OEM for the BMW brake controller

The tek RF is $249 on amazon with free prime: https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-9025.../dp/B001P0ZA86

You dont want to use it fine, but price wise- given no install- it is the clear cost winner. Unless YOU are doing the install, add 1.25 x $140 onto the wired one for a BMW install. Assuming they charge you published time, which many will not. (BWMNA allows them to jack up labor rates as they wish).

Finally, uou think you will find any old car audio hack to do it for 50-100? (Even then it is more that the RF version). Werent you the guy that was going to get the body shop to install the hitch for free when they were doing rear bumper repairs???

(Maybe just get the cheaper wired tekonsha and have the audio shop build the harness? I mean how could they possibly F that up?)

I still dont know if the RF i the cats meow and if it really is fixed- I didnt see any reports here. But saying it is "300-400" seems a bit....biased.

[Tuesday]

ard
You pretty much nailed your $1307 estimate for the whole shebang .
Thanks for posting all the info !

[Davidf]

I use the RF controller in my '08 X5 and it works perfectly. Hands down the best choice in my book based on all things already covered in previous posts. Pairing was very simple, just need to find an alternate vehicle to pair with and then just swap everything over to the BMW. To pair, I simply placed the RF trailer assembly on the ground (level) and connected to the alternate tow vehicle. Paired the handheld with the control unit then moved everything to my BMW and trailer, done. One time deal.