Tekonsha RF trailer brake question

[Thecastle]

So if you wired your 7 pin connector properly and used the BMW wiring harness then the brake controller is plug and play.

a 7 pin connector provides 12V - 15 amp service to power the trailer lights, brakes, brake controller, and battery charging (if applicable). My tongue mounted controller plugs into the car, then the trailer plugs into the controller. The controller is pulling its power from the car.

The test is to hold down the button on the portable break controller and see if it applies the breaks while moving the trailer. if it does not, something is wrong of course.

I used a prodigy and have been for years with great success. The only issue I've ever had was I blew the fuse once on the 15amp 7 pin power supply. It happened when the alternator on the X5 failed, and the car after the battery ran down attempted to pull more than 15amps from the trailer batteries (to keep it running), which blew the fuse. Once it was diagnosed (I used a voltage meter to test the power output of the 7 pin connector) and replaced everything has been good. I do recommend keeping spare fuses around when towing.

[ixm3]

Plug and play.

Been using this setup for years towing an E92 racecar with our E70 X5d without issues.

[spyro235]

Originally Posted by ixm3

Plug and play.

Been using this setup for years towing an E92 racecar with our E70 X5d without issues.

Great to hear! I guess the pins must have power through the stock wiring, and the brake controller add on is just from the braking signal wire. Looking forward to picking up my trailer this weekend, I'll be pulling it over 400 miles home.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by spyro235

Great to hear! I guess the pins must have power through the stock wiring, and the brake controller add on is just from the braking signal wire. Looking forward to picking up my trailer this weekend, I'll be pulling it over 400 miles home.

I had the hitch and wiring installed by the dealer when we bought our 2009 35d new. I've towed a lot of building material, rock, gravel with our heavy duty 5-9' utility trailer without a brake controller. But now I'm thinking about getting a 16ft Airstream Nest. So I'm curious...

How did the Tekonsha RF trailer brake controller install go?
Are you happy with how it works?
Any other advise?


Funf Dreisig

[spyro235]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

I had the hitch and wiring installed by the dealer when we bought our 2009 35d new. I've towed a lot of building material, rock, gravel with our heavy duty 5-9' utility trailer without a brake controller. But now I'm thinking about getting a 16ft Airstream Nest. So I'm curious...

How did the Tekonsha RF trailer brake controller install go?
Are you happy with how it works?
Any other advise?


Funf Dreisig

Ah, I'm so sorry I didn't see this until now. To pair, I needed to use a resister "LED friendly" Trailer connection to trick my X5 into sending power back without a trailer hooked up.

I am happy with how it works, and I'm glad it's working out for you!

I notice some pulsing with my unit, but it's strictly because my adjustable channel tongue has tons of play in it, and I need to get around to replacing it. The g meters have no clue what's going on when the trailer shifts in the play, so it wrecks havoc on it doing a good job. I currently just run with it on, and I keep the manual controller close for if it starts to pulse.

I run it on my 2 axle, both braked, car hauler, and it works really well. Trailer with car and all supplies on it is bumping up right against the 6k rating, and the truck tows it wonderfully, and the brakes work great.