I didn't say that the instructions don't mention it. I said that it wasn't required on my two vehicles, according to the instructions. The instructions mentioned it in both cases, and my year and serial number did not require reprogramming. Those instructions noted that I would have TSC. That is why I concluded that it is already programmed into the DSC. All that is missing is the flag that says there is a trailer back there, otherwise I don't think it will activate. If the vehicle doesn't recognize the trailer wiring module, then there would be no such flag.

My vehicles were not E70s. I find it hard to believe that BMW put TSC in the E83 and E53 DSC programming, but left it out of the E70 DSC programming. I guess it is possible.

I should note that I have towed for thousands of kilometers, and have never had TSC intervene to my knowledge. I believe that if it does intervene, it will allert me with a dash warning exactly the same as when DSC intervenes. On slippery roads I can get DSC to activate, and in snow it is easy to activate DSC. I towed one load 1500 km in winter storms through the Rockies, on snow-covered roads, and never had it come on. I pay attention to tongue load when towing, and so don't have much if any sway. I suspect it would take something approaching a jackknife to make it intervene. In that case it would be most welcome, but I don't think it plays much of a role in day to day towing.

No comment on the camera functionality, I suppose it would be easy to tell if it was working or not though.

:iagree: My apologies, I misunderstood what you originally posted. I didn't mean to imply TSC was left out of the programming, but merely inactive until programmed to function. I would have to agree that if the module was detected by the vehicle prior to reprogramming, then the TSC would function as you described. The only function you wouldn't receive is the back-up camera zoom feature.

As far as to what would trigger TSC to intervene, I have no clue. I don't know the extent of how it actually functions or how much benefit it provides. Seeing as most vehicles that main purpose is to tow, don't have a stability control function, I can't imagine it would be necessary. I would still recommend the programming for towing heavier loads though. I like to error on the side of caution.

The stability control program measures acceleration, yaw, roll, etc. I think all that TSC does is detect a cyclical roll or acceleration in the towing vehicle, within a certain frequency band (around the typical oscillation rate of a swaying trailer).

What it does (according to Bosch) is apply individual tow vehicle brakes to counteract the roll. Trailer stability control is now on Ford, Chev, and GMC pickups, as well as Mercedes, Volvo, and BMW vehicles down to at least the 3 series (as of the E90). Not sure about the 1 series. I am sure there are lots more, those are just the ones I know about. Continental, and I am sure others, have systems comparable to the Bosch system. The new Ford system on certain pickup models is interesting, as it has an integrated trailer braking module, and the stability program can also apply trailer brakes.

Independent of dealer programming, the installation itself is NOT trivial at all, and IMHO can only be done by a relatively handy person, with a lot of patience, and experience. I am somewhat handy (not an expert by any means), and it took me 6 hours from start to finish. I previously installed tow hitch on Honda Pilot and it took me 3 hours I think. I do have parking sensors, so it took a bit of time as well. Also, I didn't need the electrical connection, since I only needed this for bikes, so I just cut the bumper enough for the hitch to go in, and the opening is virtually non-existent, much cleaner install.

Pic
 

Here's what I tow. Had the dealer do the install including the break controller.

Looks great! How long is your trailer?

Chuck

Hitch
 

It's 22 ft. and about 4k lbs. It tows it beautifully.

I would definitely recommend having the dealer install the hitch.

Thanks for sharing the picture. I see you are using a weight distribution hitch. What type is it and how do you like it? There isn't much information out there about BMWs and WDH but it appears that the WDH is not recommended on the X5. I plan on towing a 23 ft Jayco that weights 4200 lbs with my 35d and I'm not comfortable towing it without a WDH. Any input would be appreciated.

Personally, I wouldn't use a weight distributing hitch for something that light. I would if I was up in the 6000+ lb range. BMW don't recommend them, but I think that is more to do with lack of knowledge than anything related to the vehicle itself.

Suggest you do a search for posts by withidl. He towed 8300 lbs of Airstream over the continental divide several times, tens of thousands of miles. He used a Hensley Arrow, IIRC. He documented his towing in the E53 forum. Great information. I think poster hayaku used an equalizer hitch as well, also documented in the E53 forum.

Here are a few threads to get you started:

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

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...y-6900lbs.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...on-towing.html

bluevalley, Have you had any issues using the WDH? With the hitch point extended farther from the vehicle hitch, does it seems to cause the hitch to rotate any? I know JCL does not recommend WDH, but I am considering a PP3P just for the added comfort of sway control. I planned to put minimum weight on the WDH portion to minimize any torqueing of the factory hitch.