[Tallman152]

A few more pics of the wiring and mounting.

[skoold2003]

Originally Posted by Tallman152

These posts have been gold when trying to install a hard wired brake controller. I was successful and went for my first tow this afternoon.

I picked up my 2021 X3 M40i on October 24 and started searching for the pins and the socket. It wasn’t easy, but I ended up using the Porsche socket, which is identical to the Bmw’s, pins from ecstuning.com and the pin socket from autoatlanta.com.

I used a tekonsha prodigy p3 and mounted it in the cubby hole to the left of the steering wheel. I open the door when I’m towing and close it when not, it disappears. I thought there would be an issue with reaching the lever, but there is plenty of room to insert your hand and activate the lever with your thumb.
I will try and post some pics.
Thanks to everyone who posted as this would have been a very difficult build without the posts

That's a good spot for the brake controller. I put the amplifier gain knob for my subwoofer in there. Just be careful you don't leave it open.. I've drawn blood on my knee from hitting it when I got out.

[Stormrecon]

Thanks everyone for this. I am going to try to install my old brake controller based off the info here!

[AxisF80]

Not sure why the wire is so long but has anyone tried this? I just ordered it through Autozone. Pricey at $80 but I'm lazy and this looks plug and play. Will report back.

https://www.tekonsha.com/product/303...ct-faq-content

[teefive]

Originally Posted by AxisF80

Not sure why the wire is so long but has anyone tried this? I just ordered it through Autozone. Pricey at $80 but I'm lazy and this looks plug and play. Will report back.

https://www.tekonsha.com/product/303...ct-faq-content

Interested in your findings

[gofast182]

Why any of you are messing with wires, harnesses, and mounting is beyond me. In the beginning of the thread we talk about the Prodigy Wireless Brake controller. No routing wires through your car, no mounting of a controller box to your interior, just plug-and-go.

[teefive]

Originally Posted by gofast182

Why any of you are messing with wires, harnesses, and mounting is beyond me. In the beginning of the thread we talk about the Prodigy Wireless Brake controller. No routing wires through your car, no mounting of a controller box to your interior, just plug-and-go.

The Prodigy wireless requires permanent mounting on the trailer. And I wouldn't call plugging a brake controller into a harness "messing with wiring."

[Wild Blue]

I'm going to try out the Curtis Echo wireless controller and see how it goes

[AxisF80]

Originally Posted by teefive

Interested in your findings

So' I've had the cable for a while but just received my G05. The connectors are both of the proper type. Unfortunately, the pinout is incorrect. Haven't decided if I'm going to cut the wire and take out the excess and solder it back together in the proper order or if I'll see if I can mess with the pins. Either way, not worth the $80 since you have to mess with it anyway.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

I'm going to try out the Curtis Echo wireless controller and see how it goes

Bumping to ask how the wireless controller worked out for you.

I don't want to deal with finding the harness, building a plug and making sure I got wiring correct in lieu of a wireless solution.

How did it go? Thanks in advance to you or anybody else using a Curt controller.

[jbflyguy]

Originally Posted by larryn

Bumping to ask how the wireless controller worked out for you.

I don't want to deal with finding the harness, building a plug and making sure I got wiring correct in lieu of a wireless solution.

How did it go? Thanks in advance to you or anybody else using a Curt controller.

Mine got delivered yesterday. I will hopefully be testing it out in the next few days with a 3800 lb load on my 45E. Will report back.

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by larryn

Bumping to ask how the wireless controller worked out for you.

I don't want to deal with finding the harness, building a plug and making sure I got wiring correct in lieu of a wireless solution.

How did it go? Thanks in advance to you or anybody else using a Curt controller.

Sorry, might be a while before I see. Just took delivery of the vehicle, and starting a month-long road trip where I don't plan on doing any towing. But if I use it I'll let you know! I do have the controller itself.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

Sorry, might be a while before I see. Just took delivery of the vehicle, and starting a month-long road trip where I don't plan on doing any towing. But if I use it I'll let you know! I do have the controller itself.

Nice and congrasts. I might be abit ahead of you, and I'll likely let you know.

I ordered the Curt Echo (along with a bazillion other things) and have the X5 coming in in a couple weeks. Purchasing the Surveyor 203RKLE on Monday, and immediately putting my breakin miles on and taking the trailer for a trip.

[jbflyguy]

Originally Posted by larryn

Nice and congrasts. I might be abit ahead of you, and I'll likely let you know.

I ordered the Curt Echo (along with a bazillion other things) and have the X5 coming in in a couple weeks. Purchasing the Surveyor 203RKLE on Monday, and immediately putting my breakin miles on and taking the trailer for a trip.

Tested out the Echo with my trailer empty today (1900 lbs). So far so good. No issues on my test run. Loading it up with an 1800 lb RZR and will be heading to the hills tomorrow for a better evaluation. I drove it with no brake controller, including some hills and interstate, and felt the vehicle braking was more than adequate. I do like having the curt echo though for peace of mind. My biggest concern is the reports of uncommanded braking with the echo...hoping that doesn’t happen.

[rja66]

I have decided to use the Redarc brake controller and will be mounting the main unit near the main fuse holder in the right rear area of the cargo compartment (I have an 2017 F15 but I believe it is similar to the G05 in this respect.) I would like to mount the small controller knob in the center console to the left of the shift lever as in the attached photos. I have searched on many BMW forums for information on the best way to route this cable but have come up empty. Has anyone done something similar or have ideas on the best path to take to get a cable from the rear to the center console?

[larryn]

Originally Posted by jbflyguy

Tested out the Echo with my trailer empty today (1900 lbs). So far so good. No issues on my test run. Loading it up with an 1800 lb RZR and will be heading to the hills tomorrow for a better evaluation. I drove it with no brake controller, including some hills and interstate, and felt the vehicle braking was more than adequate. I do like having the curt echo though for peace of mind. My biggest concern is the reports of uncommanded braking with the echo...hoping that doesn’t happen.

I set up mine and also got the remote button. I do not want to use the app in an possible death-wobble emergency situation.

Since my travel trailer is "only" a 20' box, 4900 lbs, dry, I'm thinking that I should be fine.

[spinnakerflying]

I didn’t see this elsewhere in the thread... do all US G05s have trailer pre-wiring with that brake controller connector under the dash, including those without factory tow hitch?

Trying to decide on ordering vs used and many used don’t have factory tow hitch.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by spinnakerflying

I didn’t see this elsewhere in the thread... do all US G05s have trailer pre-wiring with that brake controller connector under the dash, including those without factory tow hitch?

Trying to decide on ordering vs used and many used don’t have factory tow hitch.

While some markets get the prewiring, and the US used to, unless you order the towing package in the USA, you don't get the prewiring anymore. That makes it much harder to replicate the OEM towing functionality. IT can be done, but it costs WAY more than ordering it from the factory.

[Stoshu]

$500 factory tow package is a steel!

[Stormrecon]

Thanks for these images. I have a 2021 X5 PHEV and the connector was in the same spot and I found and bought the clip and pins and will install them this weekend. These posts were extremely useful.

[kchan]

Bring up an old thread. I read through this and sorry I am still kind of confused.

I have a 2021 G05 with factory tow package and 3rd row seats. Planning to rent a trailer (~ 3600 lb dry weight).

Start reading up, and I am super confused in regards to the brake controller. Here's my questions:

1. Does all trailer have a 7 pin connector that plugs into the car? What exact brake function does that provide?

2. Is the above function super limited that will require the use of separate brake controller? Or if my terrain isn't super hilly (or loads not too heavy), will it be safe enough without this separate brake controller?

3. For brake controllers, my understanding is that there are two types. One type will be hardwire, which has some connector hidden near front dash, but it's a pain to find the right connector to mate to standard brake controller (for example, Tekonsha P2). Then there are wireless options, which my understanding is that, it goes in between the factory 7 pin and the trailer 7 pin. It can be control by the phone.

The trailer I am interested in renting, he says there's the brake controller but not sure which type. It kind of sounds like it's not 100% needed depending on what terrain and where we go.

I have been looking at owner's manual, there's not really much detailed technical info. Their spec even made it more confusing.

Specifically, the maximum load is 974 lbs and 1334 lbs (with 3 row). My friend thinks the hitch weight needs to be added to this to calculate the max load. Their hitch weight limit is 551lbs, that means I can only have 423 lbs of loading from passengers (782 lbs with 3rd row)??? I am considering hauling 7 people with the trailer, but he thinks I am crazy. What's your thoughts?

If there's some detailed info (or even block diagram) about how our brake (with the optional brake controller) works, that will be great.

[jad03060]

1, In the US, there are two common trailer connections:
- round, 7-pin plug
- flat, 4-pin plug (there is a 5-pin one, but not as common)
2. BMW requires that when towing a trailer above a certain weight, that the trailer has brakes. THere are two ways they can function, and, unless that control is built into the trailer, you'll need a controller. Which one you choose, a wireless one will be easier. It's possible that the rental may have one of the wireless ones, and you'd be okay once you paired things up.
3. Both types are hardware, unless it's built into the trailer. One goes in-line between the trailer and the vehicle's connection, the other gets inserted into the chain through the plug under the dash. IT's how they are controlled where hardware versus wireless come into play.

WHen calculating the vehicle max load, it includes everything you put into the X5 PLUS the weight of the trailer tongue. The max tongue weight of the trailer is 551#, and keep in mind, the trailer tongue weight can vary depending on how the trailer is loaded...putting more cargo in back of its axle will lighten the load...be careful about that, but within reason, it can help. Too much to the rear will make it unstable.