Anyone from MA using a trailer?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Mabuhay

Thanks JCL... I didn't think it was that cheap. If so, then it's a no brainer. But from the searching I did, the electric controller install looks to be harder than the hitch install. I did the hitch install myself and I was the one that contributed most of the pics into the forum post #9 here

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...hitch-e70.html

What's an LCM connection? From the searching I did, the electric brake controller seems to be a bit more involved...scares me to to fiddle with the electrics and it scares me even more to pay someone else to screw it up for me ...

The one that is that cheap is a Tekonsha such as a P3. IMO, if you can do a hitch install yourself, you can do a trailer brake controller install. LCM is the Lighting Control Module. In earlier X5s, you took a signal off the LCM which was the same signal that drove the brake lights. It activated the controller. It appears that the E70 has that connection in the rear luggage area, from the instructions posted in your link, above. See the post by Meister with the BMW instructions for their kit (which will be more than $50, btw).

Edit: I wondered about the $50 price that has been thrown around on this forum (I haven't bought a brake controller for many years). I see the P3 advertised at $139, don't know if that is a good price or not. Still cheaper than the BMW kit it would appear.

Good luck.

[js_avery]

I purchased the BMW kit even though I already had the same brake controller it comes with. I did it because of the wiring harness it comes with which is plug and play no wire splicing needed. I think the brake controller is the easy part. Just follow the instruction to run the cable from the back to the front.

[Mabuhay]

WOW! I didn't even know BMW made a brake controller... THANKS since the instructions are priceless! From the instructions, I don't like "losing" a cup holder, but I can relocate that controller elsewhere.

From the pics, it looks like this BMW controller is really made by someone else since it looks familiar. Would you happen to know by whom? I assume if I buy that, then it will be a zillion times cheaper than if it had the BMW sticker on it. The BMW one costs $255. Or if it's not that much of a price difference, the "plug and play" wiring would be worth it...THANKS!

[js_avery]

It's actually a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Electronic Brake Control. The funny thing is they remove the Prodigy badge and do not put a BMW badge on. Its just plain. You could run your own cable but I personally liked the idea of a factory harness that just plugged in. I installed my controller close to my left knee under the light control area. I found it at Tischer for $204.

Tekonsha Website - 90885

getBMWparts.com powered by Tischer BMW - Your #1 Source for all OEM BMW Parts/Accessories!

[bimmer_buachaill]

Originally Posted by js_avery

...

I'm in MA, electric with Prodigy. Even got the dealer to do all the install with wiring (Tulley) as part of car purchase.

[soldmystang]

Originally Posted by Mabuhay

Does anyone else actually have some fact based, "value added" comments?

oh yea, make sure you get a trailer with brakes on both axles. you might even want to consider bumping the capacity of the axles to 5K each rather than 3.5K. bigger brakes with the 5K.

dude, i learned my personal limitations a long time ago. i don't install my own hardware. knowing just enough to be dangerous; is, well ............. dangerous. good luck. cheers.