Trailer Brake Controller

NERO X · 05-12-2018, 09:42 PM

Anyone installed a trailer brake controller? What kind? How to wire into the OEM harness/trailer control module? Any tips would be helpful.

redline9001 · 05-13-2018, 05:35 AM

I use a prodigy p3 in my truck and is a great trailer brake controller.

BettyWhite · 05-18-2018, 09:05 PM

Brown wire- ground
Blue wire- electric trailer brake
Black/yellow- brake light input
The other one- power

fosterelli · 05-18-2018, 09:08 PM

I love that there are people who tow with an X5! What are you planning to pull? I don't tow or haul anything that the X5 can handle but props for thinking about trailer brakes.

NERO X · 05-19-2018, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redline9001

I use a prodigy p3 in my truck and is a great trailer brake controller.

Did you install the controller yourself and if so, any detailed instructions on the install?

BettyWhite · 05-29-2018, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fosterelli

I love that there are people who tow with an X5! What are you planning to pull? I don't tow or haul anything that the X5 can handle but props for thinking about trailer brakes.

What I pull!

ajshanny · 05-30-2018, 09:53 AM

I use a Tenkosha Prodigy wireless brake controller with my X5 35d. I tow an open aluminum car trailer on it. It works very well and is very easy to install. The catch is that you will need to pair the brake controller with domestic truck first. If you call Tenkosha tech support they can explain why. I don't know the reason but save yourself a headache and borrow a domestic truck to pair the controller before trying to use with the X5.

I also keep the brake controller BMW makes for the E70 X5, which I bought in case the wireless Tenkosha ever stops working. The BMW product literature for the E70 brake controller does not mention that it can be used with the F15, but the wiring harness for it will plug directly into the accessory harness that BMW sells for the F15 and I have read posts from a couple of F15 owners confirming that it worked for them. I have chosen to stick with the wireless controller for ease of use and a not having to deal with running the wires from the cargo area to the front cup holder where the E70 controller sits.

redline9001 · 06-01-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NERO X

Did you install the controller yourself and if so, any detailed instructions on the install?

I would never tow with my x5... I have a real truck to tow my trailer...

ramsal · 06-04-2018, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NERO X

Anyone installed a trailer brake controller? What kind? How to wire into the OEM harness/trailer control module? Any tips would be helpful.

I use the Tenkosha Prodigy on my tent trailer. Pairing was a bit of a headache but there is a method that does not require another vehicle. It calls for covering one of the pins with electrical tape for the duration of the pairing process. I think I found the details on the VW or Audi forums a couple of years back.

I've been using it for a couple of years now and no concerns.

Hope this helps.

TeamErc · 06-14-2018, 08:22 PM

I have a 2018 x5d and just got the BMW trailer brake controller for the e70. Maybe little expensive at $220 but wire harness is long enough to go from front of dash through side trim and back to the trailer wire harness controller. The brake controller and wire harness controller is plug and play. And the brake controller comes with a cup holder stand. I just used it tonight and it plugged right in and worked perfectly. I have no intention on permanently installing. I will just run the wire to the back when I am towing and then store the brake controller in the rear storage when not.

Best thing again is plug and play. No syncing or any other hassle.

05-12-2018, 09:42 PM	#1
NERO X Private First Class 32 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2014 F15 50i Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: MI iTrader: (1)	Trailer Brake Controller Anyone installed a trailer brake controller? What kind? How to wire into the OEM harness/trailer control module? Any tips would be helpful.
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05-13-2018, 05:35 AM	#2
redline9001 Captain 223 Rep 979 Posts Drives: E92 M3, F15 X5, G14 F150 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Calgary, Canada iTrader: (0)	I use a prodigy p3 in my truck and is a great trailer brake controller. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| JEREZ BLACK \| EXTENDED BAMBOO NOVILLO \| EXECUTIVE PKG \| M-DRIVE \| EDC \| M-DCT MODS \| KW S/O \| HRE P40SC \| Akra Evo \|ESS Akra Tune \| ESS DCT tune \| BMC drop in \| StopTech Trophies \| TMS Pulley \| LUX V3 \| BE Bearings and BE ARP rod bolts
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05-18-2018, 09:05 PM	#3
BettyWhite Enlisted Member 20 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2017 X5 335d Join Date: May 2018 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Brown wire- ground Blue wire- electric trailer brake Black/yellow- brake light input The other one- power
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05-18-2018, 09:08 PM	#4
fosterelli Second Lieutenant 237 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 xDrive35i M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Cypress, Texas iTrader: (0)	I love that there are people who tow with an X5! What are you planning to pull? I don't tow or haul anything that the X5 can handle but props for thinking about trailer brakes. __________________ 2014 X5 x35 F15
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05-30-2018, 09:53 AM	#7
ajshanny First Lieutenant 111 Rep 365 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I use a Tenkosha Prodigy wireless brake controller with my X5 35d. I tow an open aluminum car trailer on it. It works very well and is very easy to install. The catch is that you will need to pair the brake controller with domestic truck first. If you call Tenkosha tech support they can explain why. I don't know the reason but save yourself a headache and borrow a domestic truck to pair the controller before trying to use with the X5. I also keep the brake controller BMW makes for the E70 X5, which I bought in case the wireless Tenkosha ever stops working. The BMW product literature for the E70 brake controller does not mention that it can be used with the F15, but the wiring harness for it will plug directly into the accessory harness that BMW sells for the F15 and I have read posts from a couple of F15 owners confirming that it worked for them. I have chosen to stick with the wireless controller for ease of use and a not having to deal with running the wires from the cargo area to the front cup holder where the E70 controller sits.
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Trailer Brake Controller

06-14-2018, 08:22 PM	#10
TeamErc Enlisted Member 46 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2016 M4, 2018 X35d Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X35d xdrive [0.00] 2016 BMW M4 Competi ... [0.00]	I have a 2018 x5d and just got the BMW trailer brake controller for the e70. Maybe little expensive at $220 but wire harness is long enough to go from front of dash through side trim and back to the trailer wire harness controller. The brake controller and wire harness controller is plug and play. And the brake controller comes with a cup holder stand. I just used it tonight and it plugged right in and worked perfectly. I have no intention on permanently installing. I will just run the wire to the back when I am towing and then store the brake controller in the rear storage when not. Best thing again is plug and play. No syncing or any other hassle.
	Appreciate 0 Quote