towbar electrics

[DARTH510]

Hi all, i have just purchased an X5 E53 2005 and have installed a towbar this weekend just gone-that was fun .  Anyway im now going to fit the electrics later, using a 7 pin plug and a bypass relay. Does anyone have a wiring diagram so i can idnetify the lights, turn signals, brake lights please. It also wants me to connect to fog lights and reverse lights? is this really needed?

Any tips would be gratefully received if you have done this before too.

[Steamyrotter]

Revers lights go on the 12S (Supplimentary) socket so if you are only doing the one socket then no..

Fogs are on the 12N - (normal) lighting socket..

IMO - You would be better off getting the  proper wiring kit with the trailer module as it then incorporates it into the OBD and gives warnings on the dash
Saves splicing into wires etc...

Also is the 7 pin socket going to limit you / next bod at a later date as everything is going the 13 pin route???

[DARTH510]

cheers Steamyrotter, i have taken your advice and bought a westaflia wiring kit , was £75 but i somewhat feel it may be cheaper in the long run, thanks again

[Steamyrotter]

Good call.

I used it for mine and was soooo easy.

[TimX5]

I bought a 13pin kit from pfjones absolutely brilliant plug and go the multi plugs even had bmw on them , looks like the oem kit.

[TimX5]

It's a doddle to fit

[chrisn7]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
Revers lights go on the 12S (Supplimentary) socket so if you are only doing the one socket then no..

Fogs are on the 12N - (normal) lighting socket..

IMO - You would be better off getting the  proper wiring kit with the trailer module as it then incorporates it into the OBD and gives warnings on the dash
Saves splicing into wires etc...

Also is the 7 pin socket going to limit you / next bod at a later date as everything is going the 13 pin route???

This is good advice. My car had non bmw wiring fitted inexpertly just 6 months before I bought it. Got the trailer module off ebay - there's loads about. Then the short wiring harness from the dealer, so you have all the correct wire colours. Cut the bmw plug off that connects to a bmw socket because it does not have the full 13 pins. Fit a standard 13 pin socket. Very straightforward




[/quote]

[DARTH510]

Fitted the westfalia loom kit this morning. Simple job as you say it took me about 30 mins, and easily mistake for oem parts.  Connected it up to the trailer and all works fine.
So glad I used this as opposed to splicing in a bypass relay.

Now the Mrs is worrying as she does not trust a detachable tow bar lol )

Thanks all

[X5Sport]

Put her in the trailer so she can watch it.......

[TimX5]

[quote="DARTH510"]
Fitted the westfalia loom kit this morning. Simple job as you say it took me about 30 mins, and easily mistake for oem parts.  Connected it up to the trailer and all works fine.
So glad I used this as opposed to splicing in a bypass relay.

Now the Mrs is worrying as she does not trust a detachable tow bar lol )

Thanks all
[/quote]

Told ya it was easy , have you got witter towbar or oem

[Steamyrotter]

[quote="DARTH510"]
Fitted the westfalia loom kit this morning. Simple job as you say it took me about 30 mins, and easily mistake for oem parts.  Connected it up to the trailer and all works fine.
So glad I used this as opposed to splicing in a bypass relay.

Now the Mrs is worrying as she does not trust a detachable tow bar lol )

Thanks all
[/quote]

I had a detachable on my e39 for 6 years, and on this one for 5.
Have towed carvbon trailer, various weight trailer loads, horse box with 2 horses and as rather large caravan.
(Obviously not at the same time)

Never had a problem with it.

[TimX5]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
[quote="DARTH510"]
Fitted the westfalia loom kit this morning. Simple job as you say it took me about 30 mins, and easily mistake for oem parts.  Connected it up to the trailer and all works fine.
So glad I used this as opposed to splicing in a bypass relay.

Now the Mrs is worrying as she does not trust a detachable tow bar lol )

Thanks all
[/quote]

I had a detachable on my e39 for 6 years, and on this one for 5.
Have towed carvbon trailer, various weight trailer loads, horse box with 2 horses and as rather large caravan.
(Obviously not at the same time)

Never had a problem with it.
[/quote]

I've got a witter detachable towbar and tow a caravan no worries,  had a bosal detachable towbar on my last car and that was fine , I would never trust a detachable towbar on a landrover discovery,  borrowed a mates discovery and the detachable tow hitch was as loose as hell , common fault on disco's apparently.

[chrisn7]

During my research on replacing air springs (in a  separate thread), the BMW pdf link I placed there mentions that the air suspension setting freezes at the standard setting, when a trailer is hitched - this will apply if BMW module/electrics are fitted. The purpose of this is to remove unnecessary loads on the compressor, if for example the suspension were to be lowered to facilitate the hitching up. Just though it might be worth mentioning to those of you with non OEM set ups