Wiring Harness Recommendation For a 2016 BMW X5

Question:

Good afternoon. Looking for some guidance on the wiring harness for my 16 BMW X5. When i had BMW install my harness for my 13 X5 the truck had to be re programmed so the back up sensors were not tripped when the trailer was behind the vehicle. Its really expensive to have them do this so I am weighing other options with eTrailer. How do you deal with the sensors and back up camera activation when a trailer is connected? In other words what is the downside of doing this without reprogramming? Is there a work around? Should i be concerned about any conflicts to the BMW wiring by installing this harness? Thanks in advance.

asked by: TYLER R

Expert Reply:

We can't offer you anyway to turn off your back up sensors. Typically most vehicles have the ability to turn them off or mute them so that you can tow a trailer without having to hear them go off. I would be pretty surprised if BMW didn't have something similar that didn't require reprogramming.

The install harness I recommend for the ZCI part # 119250KIT. This harness does not splice into the wiring of your taillights at all and simply uses sensors that wrap around the wires so that the signal is interpreted without any cutting.

For a hitch you would then want the Draw Tite hitch part # 75600 which is a confirmed fit that I attached an install video for.

Since you wanted to do some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not include a ball mount with the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, check out the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.