Trailer hitch/Towbar electrics help needed
 

Hi All,
2003 E53 3.0i auto
I bought a used towbar (photo) on Ebay it has a 13pin tow connector on it with the plug/wires still attached(photo), I also purchased a towing module (photo) as there isn't one in the X5 next the battery in the part where the cables are hidden
There is also a pre-fitted connector at rear of spare wheel (photo) what is this for?

Is there anything else that I need in the electric parts???
if anyone could tell me in layman's where to fit/connect the electric connections together I will truly appreciate the help and any information
Edit: is photo three for a type of PDC module and where is the PDC module??? or could I just switch off the PDC before I start driving ??
Stay safe guys

The module you bought plugs into the unused factory plug near the battery

The harness that is attached to the tow-bar plugs is routed inside the the back of the X5 and is plugged into the unused factory plug near the rear of the spare tire - shown in photo 3 - except it has an empty plug attached to it.. remove the empty plug and plug in your harness..

That should be it.

Thanks very much for the reply and the info Effduration it is really appreciated :thumbup:

You will also have to customize the inner metal parts behind the bumper fascia to clear the hitch. (Unless you bought those parts for a vehicle with a hitch) Plan a bit of time to do that and not just bolt on the hitch and run off to grandma's.

Unless I am mistaken, OP is in Europe, and the pictured tow hitch is the euro version.

I don't believe the Euro version of the hitch required the modified bumper (long)support that was used in the states.

Hi, I’m doing the same thing.
Do you have a part number for the cable from 13pin to the connector in pic 3.
I’ll be towing a caravan.
Thanks guys!

I can't see any extra cable needed... from your pictures it looks like you have everything you need...

Remove the cut-off cable/plug from the trailer module and plug the trailer module into your car (next to the battery).

Mount the tow bar, passing the wiring loom through the chassis hole and gromet and plug loom into 13-pin connector in trunk at rear of spare tyre.

That's it... :thumbup:

Hi, thank you for replying, I’ve got tow bar and module.
I need the cable from the car to the 13 pin but I can’t find where to buy it (need part code).
Cheers
Danny

Like I said - I dont think you need any further parts - your photos show that you have everything you need. And the parts are no longer available from BMW anyway...

You first post mentioned the PDC module - PDC is not affected by this installation, the trailer module in photo three will automatically disable the rear PDC when a trailer is connected.

Hi Wpoll, they’re not my photos buddy.
I’ve only ordered tow bar and control module.
All I need is the part number for 13 pin cable only, I know what to do with the rest.
Thank you anyways ��

If by "13 pin connector" you mean the trailer wire plug (we don't have 13-pin connectors in the states, we have 4 or 7 wire connectors) then that cable is no longer available. It has been discontinued for at least five years. There is a reproduction harness on ebay but it may or may not work for you. I do not know if the cable is different for UK models.

Sorry - hadn't noticed two similar questions in one thread from different posters... :rolleyes:

The factory loom is part number 61116906348 - it goes from the 12-pin cnnector in the truck (X393S) to the 13-pin Euro connector.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3o8AA...3o/s-l1600.jpg

https://www.ebay.at/itm/143624616373...6&toolid=10001

You would also need the 13-pin housing - part 61131378999

https://static.schmiedmann.dk/Produc..._61903_big.jpg

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/produ...1-13-1-378-999

There are a also few aftermarket looms around: -

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-X...t=303137300113

Yes they are different in Europe

That aftermarket loom (nice find btw) is made by Westfalia which I believe made the original OEM loom.

That’s great report back, just the answer what I were looking for.
Thank you very much for taking the time to put this together top man ��

One other question, would this set up allow you to keep your fridge running whilst pulling caravan as you want to keep your beers cool?
Thanks guys!

There is full-time +12v on the loom, feeding pin 9 on the Euro 13-pin trailer connector (I use this connection to trickle charge my battery) - so you can wire this to the trailer/caravan and then the 'fridge.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...4XIMw&usqp=CAU

Thanks again for taking the time for this info wpoll this is really appreciated;-)