Trailer tow camera feature

[kakalika]

It is my fervent belief, that US dealers do not know how to program this feature. Nor are they willing to learn. What a shame. I could really use this feature when backing up to a heavy trailer. They just tell you it cant be done, and that is it. It is going to take the skill of some indie, or coding specialist to figure it out, and when they do, they will have my business.

[JCL]

Given that the iDrive hardware changed, it isn't hard to imagine that the feature is no longer supported, as mentioned above. There are quite a few differences between the two generations of electronics.

[kakalika]

Originally Posted by kakalika

It is my fervent belief, that US dealers do not know how to program this feature. Nor are they willing to learn. What a shame. I could really use this feature when backing up to a heavy trailer. They just tell you it cant be done, and that is it. It is going to take the skill of some indie, or coding specialist to figure it out, and when they do, they will have my business.

Just quoting my old post. I finally got my trailer zoom function coded. Can't believe how simple it was. Why the dealers are so reluctant or unwilling to learn to do this is beyond me . Now I can back up to a big trailer with ease and be in the right position for hitching.
I asked about this again about a month ago when I went for service. Service adviser makes some inquiries and comes back saying the rear camera would have to be changed, along with various sensors etc... blah blah blah..
All I know is, I'm a happy camper now .

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by kakalika

Just quoting my old post. I finally got my trailer zoom function coded. Can't believe how simple it was. Why the dealers are so reluctant or unwilling to learn to do this is beyond me . Now I can back up to a big trailer with ease and be in the right position for hitching.
I asked about this again about a month ago when I went for service. Service adviser makes some inquiries and comes back saying the rear camera would have to be changed, along with various sensors etc... blah blah blah..
All I know is, I'm a happy camper now .

so... did the dealer change the camera and the dealer coded it? or, dealer just coded the camera that you have? or, you just coded it yourself???

I don't have the E70 but i am just curious how the issue was resolved...

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ex10psi

Thank you for posting this! I just had BMW seattle install the trailer hitch kit on my 2012 X5 35d and picked up the car today, I am also missing the camera zoom mode with that trailer icon. Sounds like the late model X5's do not have this feature anymore? That's too bad as i would assume this helps when backing up to hook up the trailer.

So how do we know for sure the programming was done correctly by the dealer? I'm not satisfied with them just telling me that everything was coded correctly. I'd like to know if there is some way to "prove" that the vehicle has been coded correctly? As i understand it activates some kind of fancy sway control, etc... would hate to miss out on this feature because the dealer doesnt know what they're doing.

The fancy sway control is already built into the Dynamic Stability Control, on all X5s (and on my X3). It has an additional trailer sway detection feature, which is activated when a trailer is connected. The only coding that is required is to get the vehicle to recognize the trailer wiring module. If your lights works, and the rear PDC turns off when a trailer is connected, then you're there.

That said, in years of towing with the X5 and X3, I have never had it activate. I can get DSC to light up on a wet or snowy road, but I have never had a trailer sway enough to require dynamic brake intervention. That includes towing through the Rockies in winter in snow and slush.

[ncluett]

Originally Posted by ex10psi

Thank you for posting this! I just had BMW seattle install the trailer hitch kit on my 2012 X5 35d and picked up the car today, I am also missing the camera zoom mode with that trailer icon. Sounds like the late model X5's do not have this feature anymore? That's too bad as i would assume this helps when backing up to hook up the trailer.

So how do we know for sure the programming was done correctly by the dealer? I'm not satisfied with them just telling me that everything was coded correctly. I'd like to know if there is some way to "prove" that the vehicle has been coded correctly? As i understand it activates some kind of fancy sway control, etc... would hate to miss out on this feature because the dealer doesnt know what they're doing.

I suppose if you're not satisfied, you'll need to hook it up and verify the codes yourself...(personally I have no idea how to do that, but I'm sure there's lots of info how to on this forum)... I'm quite happy with the service I received from the dealer. They were as interested to see this feature working as I was.

[ex10psi]

makes sense, like you said if the trailer lights work and the PDC turns off... totally makes sense that the coding was done fine. i'll be giving this a shot hopefully tomorrow afternoon.

thanks!

[blue dragon]

^^ If you notice, a lot of the new pickups from Ford and GMC are now coming with the trailer sway control feature. I've never had trailer sway towing the boat, but with a travel trailer, I think that there is more risk of sway.

[wickedwyrm]

When you plug the trailer harness in the beeping from the backup sensors will stop if the trailer programming was done

[ex10psi]

just wanted to update this thread... i connected up my trailer to the x5 yesterday and everything works great! the little tow icon shows up on idrive screen when back up camera is turned on, no zoom function for newer X5's (mine is a 2012) but the back up camera view angles are so good that you can easily line up the trailer ball to your trailer, very nice.

yes reverse beeping is turned off, as well as the hatch will not open by pressing button inside the cabin. however, if you are outside of the vehicle and press the remote hatch open with your remote, it will open.

overall the x5 tows like a dream. i had a 2010 Ford F150 prior and towed the same load... i will honestly say that the x5 rivals the truck i had in terms of towing performance. it really is that good. great job BMW