Brake controller for E70 experiences
 

I bought an E70 in January and to tow an Airstream 16' travel trailer which I picked up last week. The process of getting all set up to pull the trailer has been a bit less straightforward than I was hoping...

I got the BMW hitch installed at my dealer. I asked before they installed if it would control the brakes on the trailer and I was told it would. After I got my X5 back, still being told that the brakes thing would be fine, I looked here and got the installation manual, which makes it pretty clear that a brake controller is not part of the install.

My understanding is that the brake controller is a requirement for towing anything of much weight, so being told that it's there and then finding out that it isn't wasn't leaving me impressed. :(

So I went to a trailer vendor and they were skeptical about dealing with an X5, but poked around a bit and found that (unlike the E53, apparently), there is some useful wiring in the vehicle, so you don't have to tap into the brakes yourself, etc. This was very promising, but the connector is in the wiring compartment in the trunk (right side hatch).

Since the controller needs to be where the driver can reach it, that was not ideal placement. Unless an existing wiring harness runs up to the driver area, they'd have to pull off a lot of plastic to run one up there. Not being BMW folks, they thought that would be best done by BMW.

So I went back to the dealer, a bit grumpy due to feeling misled about the install, confirmed that no such harness exists. They weren't terribly interested in performing a "specialty" (non BMW parts) install, but I insisted that since they sold me a vehicle that claims to tow 6000' and then installing a hitch that claims to tow 6000', that I expect it to do so legally and safely, which means I need a brake controller.

So they agreed to run the wiring up to under the steering wheel, where the friendly trailer folks could install the controller.

At this point, I have a good setup with everything working well, but I just wasn't feeling the BMW love I was expecting after buying a swank ride with all the options, eh?

The upside if you can get the wiring up to the front, the rest is of the controller install is fairly easy.

I also noticed that the sticker that came with the hitch says not to use weight distribution equipment. The trailer came with a weight-distributing hitch, so I asked the trailer folks about it, and they have no clue why BMW would advise against using one; I'm told they reduce sway and are "1000 times safer."

Anyone know why BMW advises against using weight distribution with the E70 OEM hitch?

may be that it transfers too much weight to the rear of the veh.

A weight distributing hitch transfers weight away from the rear axle. Some is transfered to the front axle of the vehicle and some to the trailer axles. You were told right, wsanchez, they are safer.

I can't pretend to be inside their heads at BMWNA, but here's a theorem: IF they rated it to pull 6K AND the only way to pull a 6K trailer is with brakes, THEN a surge brake equipped trailer is the only option left. This negates the use of a weight distributing hitch. Which seems to be the way they do it in Europe.

Which wire(s) did they have to run up to the front?

Bump - any new news on this? Since I am in the market for a trailer to pull my M3 + trailer = 4500 lbs, I need this info as well.

So from what I read, I gather the following:
1) BMW claims our X5 can tow 6000 lbs.
2) We need to have a "brake controller" to legally tow a large amount of weight.
3) The X5 is not "pre-wired" to have a brake controller and we would have to spend extra to have someone install wires to the driver side area in order for an after market brake controller to be installed.
4) BMW's trailer instructions states "Do not use weight distribution equipment" yet doing so is probably MUCH safer. What gives?

No new news, but here is the summary:

1) Yes
2) Not just legally, but safely, which is more important, unless you use surge brakes.
3) Correct, if you use an electric brake controller and not surge brakes.
4) Correct, if you tow heavy weights, ie 6000 lbs plus. Not really necessary for 5000 lbs, but not a bad idea. YMMV. What gives is that BMW is in the SUV business, not the towing business.

HoustonMtn, M3Armand:

The E70 is technically pre-wired for a brake controller.

The problem is that the connector is in the rear compartment in the panel on the right side, and the brake controller needs to be where the driver can reach it (front left). That means I had to run a wire bundle from under the steering wheel (where I put my controller) to the connector in the panel in the back.

This is an improvement over the E53, where, I'm told, one has to run wiring down to the trailer connector itself, which is more work.

An update on my situation: I've towed our 16' Airstream (3,500 Lb. GVWR) a couple of times now from San Francisco to Reno (over the Sierras) using the weight distributing hitch that I got with the trailer, and it's great. I've never noticed any sway, and I've never felt like the X5 was working very hard to pull the trailer. Granted, it's not a very heavy trailer, but it's easy to forget it's back there until you look in the mirror.

Interesting information. I am also looking at the X5 to tow my 22 ft. Airstream. I currently tow with a Honda Ridgeline and it works very well. The Brake controller issue has been very difficult to resolve, but I'm glad to see someone finally has one installed and it's working properly.

Can you tell me if your X5 is the 3.0 or the 4.8?

Thanks again and happy camping!

Ok, so I have a huge trailer box that's been sitting in my garage waiting for me to install it on the X5. Yes, I hope to get to it soon. So anyway, what's with this "weight distributing hitch"? Following the instructions in this thread, I know that I have to go to the dealer to have them "activate" something after I install the hitch. But how does it work? When I towed a Uhaul with a Ford F150 a long time ago, it always scared me when the back end felt like it was swaying left and right. So is this "weight distributing hitch" supposed to take care of that? If so, how? I am having a hard time envisioning it.

bluvalley: I have a 4.8.

wsanchez: thanks. How do you think the 3.0 would do towing?

4 pin connector
 

Hi,

Have my new 08 x5 with factory hitch installed. I found the empty connector for the tralier brake controller but the 4 wires are not labeled to correspond to the 4 wires on the brake controller.

Anyone have an idea of how to find this information?

thanks,

bluvalley

Brake Controller for E70 Experiences
 

I plan to purchase an Airstream 23 FB with 4757#UBW and 500# hitch weight as soon as I get the brake controller issue worked out. After sending your info to my local BMW dealer I got a response that "this is something that we cannot get into. A hitch company would be the best to handle this."

Could you post pictures of the rear compartment connector and the manner in which the wiring was routed to the front left driver area? In addition, which controller by brand did you install? Thanks in advance.

Brake Controller
 

The plug for the brake controller is attached to the wires in the right rear panel, you might need to reach in pretty far to find it. It's got a small plastic bag attached with a plug inside. BMW does not have the wires labeled.

The brake control wiring needs to be run from here to the dash. I would not accept an answer like that from your dealer about the install, if they installed the hitch than they should install the controller. My dealer was not thrilled about it either but I pressed them on it and they did a really nice job, one of the service guys knew all about controllers from installing them in his pickup.

The total cost was about 350.00. The controller I have is the Tekonsha Voyager, they do not recommend the more advanced Prodigy model because of the X5's complicated electronics.

I don't have a pic of the wiring bundle but I've attached one of my X5 and Airstream.

Good luck

Houston, can you explain how a "weight distributing hitch" works? I understand from your description above that it transfers weight AWAY from the rear axle. I assume this means rear axle of the X5 and not the trailer (sorry if dumb question). So I am having a hard time understanding how could a device "transfer" weight. If the weight distribution of our X5 is 50/50. This is telling me that this hitch can make it 60/40 or so? I'm wondering how does it do so mechanically. And why would this be a safer setup?

If you look at the picture above your post, around the hitch ball, you will see the equalizing bars coming back from the hitch (not the electrical hookups, which are looped in the same location). They are under the trailer A-frame, and are about 3' long. Think of those bars like wheelbarrow handles. If you lift on them, you will raise the back of the vehicle, and transfer load to the front axle. Those bars are lifted by being connected to the front of the trailer, on the A-frame. They can swivel left/right, so the trailer can turn corners. But by tensioning them, pulling them upwards, load is transferred off the rear axle, to both the front axle and the trailer axle.

The X5 doesn't have 50-50 weight distribution except when it is empty. Putting a load in the back of it, or a heavy hitch load on it, changes it towards your 40-60 (F-R) number, although I don't know what the actual distribution would be. A weight distributing hitch helps shift it back closer to 50-50, although you won't likely get right to the empty weight distribution %.

Thanks for the info. Will take a look. Which Airstream are you towing? Any issues towing? What mirrors are you using?

So to check my understanding, the "weight distribution hitch" is made to shift the weight OF THE TRAILER...towards the front axle or rear axle OF THE TRAILER. i.e. - your wheel barrow analogy (which helped a lot, btw if my understanding is now correct).

I think the thing that's been throwing me off is when people refer to "vehicle" vs. "trailer" vs. "X5". For example, Karlbalmer states "may be that it transfers too much weight to the rear of the veh." I guess in this case, "veh." means "trailer".

When Houston says, "A weight distributing hitch transfers weight away from the rear axle. Some is transfered to the front axle of the vehicle and some to the trailer axles. You were told right, wsanchez, they are safer."

I assume he means "A weight distributing hitch transfers weight away from the rear axle OF THE TRAILER. Some is transferred to the front axle OF THE X5 and some to the trailer axles..." So this one doesn't make sense in that how the hell does it transfer weight to the front axle of the X5? Houston...we have a problem... (sorry, I couldn't resist!).

The thing to remember is that you can't believe everything you read on the internet. You mistakenly assumed that every post was logical.

Getting back to the wiring part of this...
 

My BMW dealer was kind enough to run the blue (brake control output) wire for me when I had my hitch installed. :thumbup: This wire runs from the back of the vehicle to the dash area above the driver's knees. Sorry, but I can't give more details on that. The rest of the job was mine. They would not install the trailer brake controller.

I chose a Prodigy P3. I made the connection to the lighting control module to pick up the brake light signal (see the FAQ's on this website). I've attached a photo of that connection which is located in the passenger side kick panel below the dash. I removed the interior trim pieces from the passenger footwell and fished the wire through from passenger to driver's side. Very simple.

The remaining connections were made (+12V and ground) and the control was mounted to the driver's side dash as shown in the other photo. I'm not entirely happy or unhappy with the location I chose. It's easy to bump your knee on when getting in. But I also wanted it to be easily reachable with my non-dominant hand in case I had to apply trailer brakes independently. It's also easily visible to verify proper functioning. The P3 mount allows you to quickly detach the controller and remove it when not in use.

Man, you guys have driven down the path I just started and have answered some questions. I have a 2007 4.8l X5, which has a 2" factory reciever installed (it has a 7 prong electrical connector - but as far as I know, only 4 wires are connected). I had it installed when I purchased the X5 to pull my small 10' cargo trailer (which has a hydrolic surge brake).

Now I just purchased a travel trailer (Coyote Lite CL232SS - 4665lbs UVW dry and is 27' hitch to bumper - brochure pic below). I also had the dealership (Calgary) tell me that they would not have anything to do with installing an after-market brake. I will head back and press them to ensure the wiring is run to the front. The RV dealer seems to have no issues installing the brake - even on a BMW. I also purchased a 750# Blue Ox SwayPro which functions for both weight distribution and sway control. I will need it for pulling in Alberta & BC (windy on the prairies and in the mountains).

I will let you know how the wiring & brake installation goes, as well as how the sway bar works and the old gal pulls. The pics above for the wiring are very helpful. Thanks.

Who's the blonde hottie (from a far) in the pic? :rofl:

I haven't actually picked up the trailer yet - not sure if the family comes with it...

This is interesting. I'm picking mine up later this week and I'm having them install the hitch. I think pretty much all SUV's and trucks these days come with a trailer controller connector under the dash. I'm really surprised to hear BMW doesn't have one. After all, they talk about towing in a lot of their sales literature. A few things to consider. I don't think I would use a weight distributing hitch when they state specifically not to use one. It's just my guess (ASSumption) that there may be some concern with the additional stress this places on the frame. Weight distributing hitches transfer a fair bit if weight to the frame of the tow vehicle. Maybe it's not designed to take that type of stress. It acts like a lever pulling up on the rear of the frame (over the axle) and pushing down on the front axle through the frame. Basically using the rear axle as a fulcrum if I understand correctly. The other reason may just be that they have a program that cures trailer sway using the brakes (Trailer Stability Control). This is per the sales brochure. I have quite a bit of experience towing and I think towing anything under 6K (lbs.) is unlikely to cause any real sway problems. I will tow without any kind of weight distributing hitch and see how it works using the BMW trailer stability control.

Does anyone know what the "Single Wire (blue/brown) Trigger signal for Electric Brake Control Module" as described in the hitch installation instruction's does? Do you think it's just the brake light signal that brake controllers use to know when to activate? I just wonder why they would have that separate from the 4 wire brake controller connector that's there also.

Here's a link that has info on brake contollers including a typical wiring diagram:

Brake Controller's

Thanks for any info,

Dave

BMW doesn't design a trailer brake controller into the X5; see the posts above. There is a harness in the rear, but I understand you still need to run a wire to the front.

I think that the reason that BMW states not to use an equalizing hitch is because they have no experience with them, and have no control over how they will be used, hence a liability issue. Experienced drivers towing are accustomed to them, and they are essentially an unknown to the rest of the world. I would say that the equalizing bars reduce stress on the vehicle suspension, and have little if any effect on the chassis. There isn't a frame on the X5, as it is a unibody design, but the same principle carries through. They transmit a bending moment, but it is relatively small, only a few hundred pounds typically. The rear axle is not the fulcrum in that scenario, the front axle is (as the fulcrum is the lever point).

I don't think the trailer sway control will have much effect with very slight sway, it uses the dynamic vehicle sensors to sense when the trailer is taking over the vehicle, and damps it out with the use of brakes. In that sense, it will intervene similarly to ABS, and not be engaged constantly (although it will monitor constantly). Agree completely that with a light or medium weight trailer you don't need an equalizing hitch. Trailer weight distribution (correct tongue weight) matters more than anything else. I never towed over 5000 lbs, but that was fine without an equalizing hitch on an E53.

Good luck.

Sorry for the delay posting the photo - got this baby out 12 times this summer (10 3-day weekends + 2 5-day trips). I had no problems with power or the distibution hitch. I averaged about 10 mpg. I live near the mountains and those trips averaged about 8 mpg. All I can say - tons of power - no worries with sway - and looks pretty damn sharp. I did have to get the BMW custom mirrors which cost $280 CDN, as many of the after market mirrors didn't fit well... PS tailor weights 4600 lbs...:D

One more to better show the hitch arrangement.... the day it came home..

Seems like as good as any place to post some complete instructions and other stuff for the E70 tow hitch (Class III). (I did the same for the E53 here (post # 55): http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...llation-6.html)

Please note that both the US Hitch and the Euro Hitch must be retrofit coded. The Electric Trailer Brake Kit does not require coding.

If I find anything else I'll add to this post.

Attached:

1. US Hitch installation instructions - Date 12-2006 (p/n 71-60-0-413-359 NLA. Superseded by p/n 71-60-2-156-525 Retail $500.00)
2. US Hitch installation instructions - Date 7-2009 (p/n 71-60-2-156-525 Retail $500.00)
3. US Hitch installation instructions - Date 8-2009 (p/n 71-60-0-413-359 NLA)
4. Euro Hitch installation instructions - Date 3-2008 (in 2 parts due to board size constraints)
5. Euro Hitch installation instructions - Date 10-2009 (in 2 parts due to board size constraints)
6. Hitch Step instructions (p/n 82-11-0-417-602 Retail $79.00)
7. Electric Trailer Brake Kit installation instructions - Date 8-2009 (P/N 82-11-0-420-082 Retail $255.00)
8. Electric Trailer Brake Photo

Great stuff. One question is the controller easily removable when not in use? Or do you permanently lose use of the cup holder?

Happy to help.:thumbup:

Take a look at the installation instructions and see what you think. My interpretation is that it's pretty well semi-permanent. If you cut the cupholder pad in half (which is optional to do) then it's certainly more permanent. Also you'd need to remove or relocate the assembly when you are not using it.

Placement
 

Great instructions, thanks.

I wish the dealer had them when I had mine installed, they did a good job but I had to explain it all to them.

If you don't want to take up the cupholder, I placed mine on the dash to the lower left of the steering wheel, next to (and below right) of light controls. It's at a sharp angle but works fine.

Good luck,

James

Hey good info. Can you post a few pics?

Sorry for the delay, was away for the weekend.

Here's a few pics.

I installed the exact electric brake as pictured above, but I stuck it under the steering wheel on the dash. You can disconnect the wiring and remove the actual brake controller. I was a little worried about banging my knees on the brake. However, I it never touched my knees, and I haven't removed it all winter - and better yet, it's out of the way and doesn't sit on my cup holder. Once set, I haven't even needed to play with it - mountains or no mountains..

Can't wait for summer....

I meant in the picture of X5 Meister's on page 3 of this thread...

This all seems very complicated!

In the UK the hitch on the trailer operates the breaks automatically. Works great as long as it's maintained and adjusted properly.

The X5 has built in anti-sway according to the manual, hence the instructions NOT to use load balancing tow bars.

The standard factory electronic tow bar is great. Press a button and the tow bar and electrics apear from under the rear bumper. When you are done just press the button again and its gone!!

Its a pity you US guys use a different system.

You can say that again.

Hello,

I just had the factory trailer hitch installed and I'm searching all over to find out the factory pin-outs for the electric brake controller connections with no luck. I will use an aftermarket controller like yours and I just need the pin-outs of the BMW connector from the hitch wiring harness so I can connect the brake controller to the BMW connector. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

The thread below dates from the time of the E53, but does include attachments to the two DIY articles that are on this site. It may be helpful while you await the specific pin out information.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-do-i-buy.html

Brake Controller
 

Attached are the hitch and brake controller installation instructions. The information may help. In particular look at the table at the end of the hitch instructions. The hitch instructions are in two parts so the file size would be to large otherwise.

Chuck

Thanks folks, I really appreciate the help however I still cannot find a reference to the pinouts. I may endup using a circuit tester to find out. Here is what I'm looking for:

The wire colors and pinouts for the Tekonsha Prodigy controller are as follows:

Black - Battery+
Red - Stoplight
White - Ground
Blue - Brake

The BMW 4 pin connector wire colors that BMW provides as part of the hitch wiring for the brake controller are as follows:

Red
Yellow/red
Yellow/green
Brown

I need to find out how those BMW wires map to the Tekonsha wires. I already have the Tekonsha Prodigy which is identical to the "factory BMW" controller.

Thanks,
Jim

Brake Controller
 

Hi,

I'm not sure what you mean by pin outs but the connection for the brake controller is in the back right cargo area. It's way at the bottom, and not that easy to find. Pull the cover off and look down towards the bottom, the wiring has to run from there up to the dash. I had my dealer install it, luckily there was a technician who had a boat trailer so he knew how to wire it.

Good luck

James

Has anyone tried a "wireless" controller? Sure looks easier. Plus, no holes in the dash :yikes:

Prodigy Wireless Brake Controller by Tekonsha

I'm planning on buying this controller later this spring. eTrailer has it for cheaper: Tekonsha Prodigy RF Brake Controller - Proportional - Trailer Mounted Tekonsha Brake Controller 90250

I've got the hitch on the X5 already, but I also plan to tow my camper with my Toyota Tacoma. While this is more expensive than just having a regular Prodigy controller (which I've already got too), it will certainly be cheaper than having a brake controller wired into the X5. That, and I don't have to worry about a mounting spot inside the X5 (or the Tacoma for that matter....)

I'll then be able to just move the remote from vehicle to vehicle, depending on which one will be used to tow the camper.

Did you purchase this? I just bought one via Amazon as I'm towing a 23ft Featherlite with a M3 to Road America. I really hope this works...

What BMW custom mirrors? Is there a part number? I'm towing my boat and I may need this

No, not yet. I just got the pigtail for my Tacoma and used my old Prodigy controller for the most recent trip. I'm not sure we'll actually use the X5 to tow, which seems crazy after spending the money to get the hitch installed. But I may still pick up this controller in the future....

Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Brake Controller
 

Hi Guys -

Got the factory hitch installed on my 2011 X5 at JMK BMW in NJ. I did not want to run a cable to the front and permanently give up my cup holder with the factory brake controller option.

I went ahead and bought the Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Brake Controller from Amazon. I installed it on my featherlight open trailer (weighs a little over 1,000 lbs). I tow an E30 BMW on it. I have towed once and the brake controller works great.

I was a bit concerned as I had the trailer serviced and upgraded to LED lights and wasn't sure if the LED lights will confuse the brake controller. I did have a glitch when I first tried to do the "handshake" between the wireless unit and the trailer mounted unit but I went ahead with the steps and it all worked fine.

Tekonsha recommends that the unit should be installed on the outside face of the trailer arm but I installed it underneath and out of sight and it works fine.

Here is a picture of my X5 hitch install, the dealer was kind enough follow my instructions and carefully cut the bumper as little as possible.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o...2016.21.58.jpg

YMMV
auslander

Trailer LED solutions for an X5
 

I recently purchased an aluminum 20' trailer to haul my track car and use my wife's X5 3.5d to pull it. The Prodigy wireless brake controller worked great for me and took about an hour to install and program for my specs. Much better option than the $1,200 my dealer wanted for a hard wired unit.

However the trailer lights have been a struggle. My brake and turn signal lights work perfectly but after a few minutes all the running lights turn off. I've now read all the postings on the LED issue with the X5. Seems like the lower resistance of the LEDs is a problem for the X5 systems. I've since discovered (better late than never) that I need a 7 pole to 7 pole adaptor to make the LEDs work with an X5 (similar issue Porsche and VW SUVs it sounds like). However Valley whom manufactures the adaptor apparently is out of stock with no eta of when the V39010 will be available again. The X3 forum has a posting in which it looks like the oem VW adaptor will serve this purpose.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ing-hitch.html

Has anyone successfully used the VW adaptor (or the Porsche unit, which apparently exists as well)?

You need a 7 pin to 7 pin because all of the pins are in use if you are using a brake controller.

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/gr...043_aa_600.jpg

If you aren't using a brake controller, you only need 5 wires if your trailer has surge brakes (fifth wire for the reverse lockout solenoid). You need a 7-> 5 adapter

If your trailer has no brakes, then you can get by with a 7 -> 4 adapter thats included in the hitch kit.

Hi guys, getting ready to install the prodigy (P2 model, carried over from my E53) controller.

Is there any feedback on wiring - I have the same question as the user above. Looking to figure out where to mate the BLUE wire from the brake controller to the X5's 4 wire connecter...

Hi guys, still looking for some feedback on connective the Prodigy brake controller - specifically, the blue brake trigger wire that comes from the brake controller...

Lots of people have this configured, but have not been able to find it documented here...

FYI - just found this...

2007 X5 Brake controller install!!!! - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum

This method can be used to connect the Prodigy P2 directly to the BMW brake controller 4 pin connector that is part of the hitch wiring harness...

Are you sure you pasted the link you intended?
I didn't find any useful information (or link) in that post. I've got the factory hitch wiring, and programming with my hitch, but no controller (yet). I want to install the Prodigy as well. Thanks,

Sorry...

Here you go...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1656557

Sweet. Thanks again for sharing.

After doing a fair bit of research I wanted to verify my thinking around a wireless brake controller (specifically the Tekonsha Prodigy RF Brake Controller - Proportional - Trailer Mounted).

I already have the stock hitch with 7point connector. It is my understanding that I can simply plug in the RF controller mounted on the trailer to that connector and everything should work. All of the complication in this thread and others are around tapping into the wire that pushes a brake signal back to the controller aren't necessary with the RF contoller.

So, I'm hoping someone can confirm that either knows how it works, or is actually using this or a similar controller and can let me know if it really is that simple. Thanks

I have that controller on my boat trailer and used it for the first time last year. It worked perfectly. There is a wireless transmitter that you plug into a power outlet in the car with a long cable that you use to adjust the brake force, and has the status read out on it.

The box that mounts on the tongue of the trailer is quite large but there was plenty of space on my boat trailer to do it. I've used Tekonsha products for years and have had very good luck.

I chose this route to avoid the hard wiring of the existing controller I had and also because I remember what it took to get this to work on my E53, which it did, but the job was just tedious. I thought, from the research I did on the E70, that I didn't want to go through it again.

So to short hand it, it works flawlessly, I like that I can remove and stow the in car controller as needed so it's not an ugly addition to my dash.

4MoJoe - any issues with your controller? Mine works great, but I get a light out error code (even when using the inline resistor that is supposed to fix the error) and the X5 keeps turning off power to the running lights on my trailer with LEDs. The dealer has had the car on 4, 5, or 6 different days (lost count) and cannot solve the issue. BMWNA claims to have never heard of the issue and has not been helpful at all.
Anyone have ideas?

Hmm, well I initially I had issues with my lights going off but it was related to the grounding wire on my boat trailer.

I also had converted to LED trailer lights on mine and had issues as all of this happened at once (new controller, new car, new lights). I went through each and every connection and removed old connectors and put new ones on and then used a grease to coat it (I had to do this on my old MGB to keep it's electrical connectors from corroding) so thought I'd try it on the boat trailer. I have a 2000 Four Winns boat and their trailer and while it's a garage queen I know that dunking the trailer over the years is going to result in wear and tear and it was time to give it's electrical a thorough once over.

Otherwise it works all good now.

This is a really helpful thread. It really helped me determine what's required. The other two SUVs I've owned had the factory hitch and towing prep package.

My US spec is finally coming home to tow my 22 ft camping trailer this fall, so I figured it was time to prep. Our German dealer will be installing the hitch system, which I had shipped from the US. The OEM hitch assembly, wiring harness, electric brake control unit, and trim piece came as a bundle. (Turns out I could have saved a little cash if I'd known the brake controller was the Tekonsha Prodigy 2, with the label removed.)

My service rep just had to track down the firmware update for the vehicle's computer system. They have done very few of these installs, and were glad I brought the English manuals, thoughtfully provided in this thread.

The quote for the whole job is around US $850, which seems reasonable. Will report next month on how things turn out.

I installed the wireless Prodigy last week on my trailer. Paired it up per the instructions and went for a test drive. No issues, works great right out of the box and did not require a dealer visit. After doing so, I can say that to consider wiring a controller in when the wireless is available is simply not a viable option. The wireless unit also provides the ability to tow with another vehicle. A great product!

Update: BMW dealer figured out that the trailer wiring had a short in it (after the trailer dealer supposedly tested the wiring and went over it inch by inch) which was causing the errors. Works like a dream now :thumb up:

Pulled my RS to the track twice last weekend with no errors!

Kudos to BMW Des Moines for figuring it out :D

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thum bup:

Hey, holy thread revival! Any of you still around? I’m wondering if after the oem harness is all hooked up (without touching the extra brake controller wires) the rf prodigy is plug and play. I’m trying to figure out if I need to do any extra wiring from the normal hitch wiring from my original install.