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      09-23-2016, 07:57 PM   #1
bjcarls
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Trailer setup





Here is my setup.
Invisihitch
Prodigy RF
Aero 3 mirrors
In general the 50i does a great job stopping and starting. With a trailer this size it tends to wander above 60mph, but it's similar in a 1500 pickup. It can do 75 on the freeway, easily, but when passing a semi it gets a nice air bump.
Ask questions, this post was created just to help people who want to tow.

Last edited by bjcarls; 09-23-2016 at 08:13 PM..
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      09-25-2016, 07:12 AM   #2
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Where did you get the mirrors and how much? Do the clamps damage the paint?
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      09-26-2016, 06:32 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sotally Tober View Post
Where did you get the mirrors and how much? Do the clamps damage the paint?
No damage, the clamps are smooth, the mirrors bend a little. I purchased them through Amazon - Aero 3 mirrors. This weekend I met a guy with a Ceyenne that liked them as much I did. The only thing we both noticed is they have a slight shake at 70mph but I don't need to read license plates, they are more for back up and car notification.

I averaged 60 mph, 9.5mpg, 320 miles...strong winds today, up to 32mph gust with sustained winds of 15mph. That turbo V8 makes it so easy. About the same as my i6 X5 e70. This suspension setup though is much more comfortable!
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      09-27-2016, 02:45 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bjcarls View Post
No damage, the clamps are smooth, the mirrors bend a little. I purchased them through Amazon - Aero 3 mirrors. This weekend I met a guy with a Ceyenne that liked them as much I did. The only thing we both noticed is they have a slight shake at 70mph but I don't need to read license plates, they are more for back up and car notification.

I averaged 60 mph, 9.5mpg, 320 miles...strong winds today, up to 32mph gust with sustained winds of 15mph. That turbo V8 makes it so easy. About the same as my i6 X5 e70. This suspension setup though is much more comfortable!
Nice! My old E70 Diesel pulled our 21ft boat like nothing. I cant imagine how our X5M will do while towing. The F85 will be arriving next month.
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      09-27-2016, 08:23 AM   #5
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How much does this trailer weigh?
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      09-27-2016, 10:55 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bjcarls View Post
Here is my setup.
Invisihitch
Prodigy RF
Aero 3 mirrors
In general the 50i does a great job stopping and starting. With a trailer this size it tends to wander above 60mph, but it's similar in a 1500 pickup. It can do 75 on the freeway, easily, but when passing a semi it gets a nice air bump.
Ask questions, this post was created just to help people who want to tow.
bjcarls It seems like we have a similar setup, at least it looks like the same RF electric brake controler. One thing that still bugs me is the back up sensors going like crazy, I know that you can code them for a trailer setup somehow somewhere, do you know what needs to be done by a chance. I found the trailer zoom option and enabled that, but not the sensors...
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      09-27-2016, 11:31 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PlayTookies View Post
bjcarls One thing that still bugs me is the back up sensors going like crazy, I know that you can code them for a trailer setup somehow somewhere, do you know what needs to be done by a chance. I found the trailer zoom option and enabled that, but not the sensors...
I thought that once you have the coding for the trailer and the zoom feature, then as long as your trailer lights have sufficient resistance (that is, the trailer lights are not the low resistance LED lights), then the park distance control would know there is a trailer and would disable the rear park distance control sensors (but not the front sensors).
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      09-27-2016, 11:49 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by taxjoc
Quote:
Originally Posted by PlayTookies View Post
bjcarls One thing that still bugs me is the back up sensors going like crazy, I know that you can code them for a trailer setup somehow somewhere, do you know what needs to be done by a chance. I found the trailer zoom option and enabled that, but not the sensors...
I thought that once you have the coding for the trailer and the zoom feature, then as long as your trailer lights have sufficient resistance (that is, the trailer lights are not the low resistance LED lights), then the park distance control would know there is a trailer and would disable the rear park distance control sensors (but not the front sensors).
Well...I only coded the Zoom function for the trailer because I don't know the other lines that need to be coded, or are you saying that that's the only thing that can be coded and the rest should work by itself just by having extra wiring hoocked up to the signal/brake lights?
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      09-27-2016, 12:10 PM   #9
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Trailer is 2,000lb + 2,700 M3 + tires/tools. Total weight around 5,000-5,250 I'd guess.

I didn't code mine (don't have a laptop that will work for codemycar) and have no issue with the sensors or anything. My lights aren't LEDs though. The featherlite is 12+ yrs old.

Edit: I am using the BMW wire harness and controller.
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      09-27-2016, 12:22 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bjcarls
Trailer is 2,000lb + 2,700 M3 + tires/tools. Total weight around 5,000-5,250 I'd guess.

I didn't code mine (don't have a laptop that will work for codemycar) and have no issue with the sensors or anything. My lights aren't LEDs though. The featherlite is 12+ yrs old.

Edit: I am using the BMW wire harness and controller.
10-4 Thank you for that - To bad because it's really annoying to hear to PDC go wild all the time, but maybe your trailer body is far enough away that your sensors to get this issue as much...? The Trailer Zoom is a must in my opinion ?
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      09-28-2016, 04:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PlayTookies View Post
Well...I only coded the Zoom function for the trailer because I don't know the other lines that need to be coded, or are you saying that that's the only thing that can be coded and the rest should work by itself just by having extra wiring hoocked up to the signal/brake lights?
Car should automatically disable the rear PDC when it detects trailer lights are connected assuming you have the OEM wiring harness installed. Absolutely no coding required for that function. If you have the OEM harness and it's not doing that for you, either you have LED Trailer light bulbs (so it's not creating enough resistance in the circuit telling the car to disable PDC), or the harness isn't wired correctly or is defective.
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      09-28-2016, 11:28 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Class5Kayaker
Quote:
Originally Posted by PlayTookies View Post
Well...I only coded the Zoom function for the trailer because I don't know the other lines that need to be coded, or are you saying that that's the only thing that can be coded and the rest should work by itself just by having extra wiring hoocked up to the signal/brake lights?
Car should automatically disable the rear PDC when it detects trailer lights are connected assuming you have the OEM wiring harness installed. Absolutely no coding required for that function. If you have the OEM harness and it's not doing that for you, either you have LED Trailer light bulbs (so it's not creating enough resistance in the circuit telling the car to disable PDC), or the harness isn't wired correctly or is defective.
Is there no option for this function without the OEM wiring? I have a Tekonsha wiring harness with the fitting electric brake regulator.
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      09-29-2016, 01:54 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PlayTookies View Post
Is there no option for this function without the OEM wiring? I have a Tekonsha wiring harness with the fitting electric brake regulator.
I don't think so, as far as the car detecting something is hooked up and disabling the PDC. I'm guessing your current harness just taps in to the brake lights and isn't "smart" like the OEM harness. Only option would be to completely disable PDC via coding (telling the car you don't have it), but then you'd be without PDC when not towing. Or if you rarely tow you could just code it inactive the when you know you're going on a trip.

Might need to bite the bullet and buy the OEM harness. I know it's capable of adding on a brake controller. I don't personally tow anything heavy enough to require electric brakes so I can't relate my personal experience with OEM harness and brake controllers, but others on this forum have done it successfully.
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      09-29-2016, 01:57 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Class5Kayaker
Quote:
Originally Posted by PlayTookies View Post
Is there no option for this function without the OEM wiring? I have a Tekonsha wiring harness with the fitting electric brake regulator.
I don't think so, as far as the car detecting something is hooked up and disabling the PDC. I'm guessing your current harness just taps in to the brake lights and isn't "smart" like the OEM harness. Only option would be to completely disable PDC via coding (telling the car you don't have it), but then you'd be without it when not towing unless you rarely tow and just code it when you know you're going on a trip.

Might need to bite the bullet and buy the OEM harness. I know it's capable of adding on a brake controller. I don't personally tow anything heavy enough to require electric brakes so I can't relate my personal experience with OEM harness and brake controllers, but others on this forum have done it successfully.
Thanks! I figured so... I was thinking of finding the drawings and making a plug and play resistor to plug in when I tow and just have it in the back of the truck. Anybody know what pin that is? ?
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      09-29-2016, 02:02 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PlayTookies View Post
Thanks! I figured so... I was thinking of finding the drawings and making a plug and play resistor to plug in when I tow and just have it in the back of the truck. Anybody know what pin that is? ?
Info Should be here:

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=37
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      09-29-2016, 02:10 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bjcarls
Trailer is 2,000lb + 2,700 M3 + tires/tools. Total weight around 5,000-5,250 I'd guess.

I didn't code mine (don't have a laptop that will work for codemycar) and have no issue with the sensors or anything. My lights aren't LEDs though. The featherlite is 12+ yrs old.

Edit: I am using the BMW wire harness and controller.
Just curious, what year M3?
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      09-29-2016, 02:55 PM   #17
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Just curious, what year M3?
'99
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      10-01-2016, 01:18 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Class5Kayaker
Quote:
Originally Posted by PlayTookies View Post
Thanks! I figured so... I was thinking of finding the drawings and making a plug and play resistor to plug in when I tow and just have it in the back of the truck. Anybody know what pin that is? ?
Info Should be here:

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=37
Thank You, will check it out!
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