Which brake controller to get for towing?

rs4eva · 02-21-2019, 08:26 AM

There is this one

BMW OEM

or this

Prodigy 3 wired

or this

Prodigy 3 Wireless

russelldav · 02-21-2019, 08:33 AM

I used to have a Prodigy 3 (Wired) on my truck. The mounting was clumsy, and quite large. Ended up having it under the steering wheel, above the footwell. The LCD was also very bright (with no automatic day/night adjustment) so if you have it in eye line at night it will dazzle you. You could change the colour to red to avoid that but then it's hard to read in daylight.

The Prodigy had great reviews, lots of functionality and looks way better than the BMW / OEM version so out of the choices you posted I would go for that. I liked the digital adjustment of the output voltage as opposed to the scroll wheels as once you found the right balance for a trailer, it was easy to get back to that setting at a later date.

I don't understand why BMW didn't integrate one in to the dash better.

rs4eva · 02-21-2019, 09:13 AM

russelldav you would think that with the tow package there could've been a screen in the iDrive or a switch on the center console to control it.

russelldav · 02-21-2019, 09:19 AM

The BMW option actually just looks like a badged Prodigy P2.

Where does the wiring harness connect if you have the factory trailer hitch installed? Is it pre-wired to the trunk?

rs4eva · 02-21-2019, 09:43 AM

Your guess is as good as mine, this is what the manual states:

Brake Controller
The vehicle manufacturer recommends that you have a Brake Controller installed by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.

Information on installing a Brake Controller can be obtained from a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.

gofast182 · 02-21-2019, 04:29 PM

I got a Prodigy RF Wireless to use with our MDX (traded yesterday). Future proofing was part of the idea behind spending the extra money on it. It can be brought over to the X5 with minimal setup and no additional wiring to do.

russelldav · 03-06-2019, 10:24 PM

Bump

Has anyone worked out if the G05 comes pre-wired for an electronic brake controller if you choose 3AC Trailer Tow Hitch? If so, where is the connector?

I've read the technical training docs and I can't even find the basic information about the hitch.

trev230 · 03-07-2019, 06:09 AM

I installed a stealth hitch system(there is a thread on it). When I was installing it I noticed a factory wiring harness connection for the OEM trailer hitch down in the passenger side wheel well behind and below the tail light. If you pull out the hatch/trunk panel on that side behind the tail light and shine a light down there you will see it. Or if you remove the bumper you can see where the harness stops and has a connector for the trailer end. I used the harness that came with my hitch so I didn't plug into the OEM one.

02-21-2019, 08:26 AM	#1
rs4eva Private 33 Rep 88 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Which brake controller to get for towing? There is this one BMW OEM or this Prodigy 3 wired or this Prodigy 3 Wireless
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-21-2019, 08:33 AM	#2
russelldav 456bhp for breakfast 425 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	I used to have a Prodigy 3 (Wired) on my truck. The mounting was clumsy, and quite large. Ended up having it under the steering wheel, above the footwell. The LCD was also very bright (with no automatic day/night adjustment) so if you have it in eye line at night it will dazzle you. You could change the colour to red to avoid that but then it's hard to read in daylight. The Prodigy had great reviews, lots of functionality and looks way better than the BMW / OEM version so out of the choices you posted I would go for that. I liked the digital adjustment of the output voltage as opposed to the scroll wheels as once you found the right balance for a trailer, it was easy to get back to that setting at a later date. I don't understand why BMW didn't integrate one in to the dash better.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 09:13 AM	#3
rs4eva Private 33 Rep 88 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	russelldav you would think that with the tow package there could've been a screen in the iDrive or a switch on the center console to control it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 09:19 AM	#4
russelldav 456bhp for breakfast 425 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	The BMW option actually just looks like a badged Prodigy P2. Where does the wiring harness connect if you have the factory trailer hitch installed? Is it pre-wired to the trunk?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 09:43 AM	#5
rs4eva Private 33 Rep 88 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Your guess is as good as mine, this is what the manual states: Brake Controller The vehicle manufacturer recommends that you have a Brake Controller installed by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop. Information on installing a Brake Controller can be obtained from a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 04:29 PM	#6
gofast182 Captain 628 Rep 773 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I got a Prodigy RF Wireless to use with our MDX (traded yesterday). Future proofing was part of the idea behind spending the extra money on it. It can be brought over to the X5 with minimal setup and no additional wiring to do.
	Appreciate 1 rs4eva33.00 Quote

03-06-2019, 10:24 PM	#7
russelldav 456bhp for breakfast 425 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	Bump Has anyone worked out if the G05 comes pre-wired for an electronic brake controller if you choose 3AC Trailer Tow Hitch? If so, where is the connector? I've read the technical training docs and I can't even find the basic information about the hitch.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2019, 06:09 AM	#8
trev230 Captain 348 Rep 604 Posts Drives: 2022 M5C Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	I installed a stealth hitch system(there is a thread on it). When I was installing it I noticed a factory wiring harness connection for the OEM trailer hitch down in the passenger side wheel well behind and below the tail light. If you pull out the hatch/trunk panel on that side behind the tail light and shine a light down there you will see it. Or if you remove the bumper you can see where the harness stops and has a connector for the trailer end. I used the harness that came with my hitch so I didn't plug into the OEM one.
	Appreciate 1 russelldav424.50 Quote