what trailer brake controller to get
 

hey all. searched the forums but never really found any write ups of people installing them. looking to add a trailer brake controller to my X5 soon. looking to see ones that people have actually used and even better have a quick write up on how they installed it. I have the oem trailer harness. most I have seen used is the prodigy RF bluetooth one but at almost $500 new or $150 for sketchy iffy used ones I want to see if there are other options. thanks!

its a 05 6spd if that matters

I used a Tekonsha Prodigy P3, it's the wired version.



You just need power and ground for the brake controller (you can easily get power from the front +12v terminal in the engine bay, make sure you use a resetting breaker) and then run a wire back to the trailer loom. I don't remember, it was a while ago, but I think you have to run the wire all the way to the 7-pin connector. Everything else should be taken care of IIRC as long as you have the towing module, which connects the rest of the wires in the 7-pin connector.

you happen to have some pics of where you grabbed power from and how you ran the wiring to the back?

The big terminal in the engine bay is where you can get power, and then put the resetting circuit breaker near it using one of the air filter housing bolts. Then just run the power wire through the seal under the footwell.



Running the wiring to the back, just pull up the carpet by the door sills and take the rear seat out (it comes out real easy, just pull it up). It's a couple hours of work to do it cleanly but it's all very simple.

I have had, for about a decade, a Tekonsha Prodigy wireless system and I love its convenience and usefulness. https://www.tekonsha.com/product/902...l-proportional

Yeah, the Prodigy RF covered me fine when I was towing. My primary tow rig is a 3/4 ton diesel, but I had to move a car while it was broken.