Towing with BMW X3 of X5

Originally posted by Jewel59 I plan on stopping by the BMW dealer and hopefully find out what I need to know.  Keep in mind the head service manager told me over the phone my braking would work......interesting situation.

After I had signed the purchase agreement my Toyota service manager assured me the TRD supercharger would be available for the 2104 Tacoma. His parts guy said it wasn't. That was a deal breaker and I stopped  the deal. They found a 2013. Bottom line, Toyota dropped the supercharger that year and never did offer it. I would ask for better documented proof than his opinion. Ask him to demonstrate the visual indication the trailer brakes are being engaged. Ask him to demonstrate the manual braking capability. Without a manual capability it's extremely difficult to set the brakes and to determine they are even working. Manual control is also essential if you get into an extreme sway situation. Automation can only go so far. Seek a second opinion.

The one thing I do know is the BMW dynamic traction system compensates for trailer sway.  From what I've read on this, it seems to do a very good job.  I just dug into the box that the hitch and ball were in.  There is a one page sheet.  One this sheet two things jump out:

Originally posted by CharlieM Controlling trailer sway from the vehicle is iffy. I know newer vehicles claim to do this, but the jury is still out. On the WDH prohibition, that's probably due to unibody construction. I had the same issue with the 2010 Pilot. I used an E2 WDH with no problem and great improvement in the ride. The BMW brake controller statement is consistent with other posts on Bimmerfest. I hope folks on that forum can shed light for you. I would also call etrailer.com and ask their experience. I see no reason why you can't use the Prodigy P3, but you might have to hard wire it in. Most cars/trucks since early 2000s have a brake control connector as part of the factory harness. Just plug and play if you can find it. Etrailer should be able to help. I hope you are realizing the wonderful resource forums like Bimmerfest and this one can be. There's lots of chaff to sort through, but it's well worth it.

So I had a similar situation with my previous TV. I had a BMW X1, yes an X1, when I went to pick up my pod the first time the brake controller would not work, I was using the Prodigy wireless controller. After 2 weeks and countless visits back to the R-Pod dealer, consulting with VW of America and Tekonsha it was determined that the wire harness that was on the BMW that we tapped into was incorrect. We installed a different harness and everything worked like a charm.

I would not tow without the WDH, I would not trust the BMW system to compensate for the sway. I would go with the Prodigy, it will solve all your problems.

As for the towing capacity, the BMW x1 that I had was not even rated to tow here in the states, however the European one was, same frame, same engine, same transmission, but it has 4500 pounds towing capacity and up to 6k with WDH. Yea surprise there. Let me tell you the looks I was getting from people on my way up to Alaska in the middle of April in a BMW X1 towing an R-Pod. Priceless, but I never had any problems and the X1 towed like a champ, never had any issues with power.

I have since upgraded to a VW Touareg.

Originally posted by Hunter Kirk So I had a similar situation with my previous TV. I had a BMW X1, yes an X1, when I went to pick up my pod the first time the brake controller would not work, I was using the Prodigy wireless controller. After 2 weeks and countless visits back to the R-Pod dealer, consulting with VW of America and Tekonsha it was determined that the wire harness that was on the BMW that we tapped into was incorrect. We installed a different harness and everything worked like a charm. I would not tow without the WDH, I would not trust the BMW system to compensate for the sway. I would go with the Prodigy, it will solve all your problems. As for the towing capacity, the BMW x1 that I had was not even rated to tow here in the states, however the European one was, same frame, same engine, same transmission, but it has 4500 pounds towing capacity and up to 6k with WDH. Yea surprise there. Let me tell you the looks I was getting from people on my way up to Alaska in the middle of April in a BMW X1 towing an R-Pod. Priceless, but I never had any problems and the X1 towed like a champ, never had any issues with power. I have since upgraded to a VW Touareg.