Available 4-Pole Trailer Wiring Harness Kits for 2014 BMW X5

Question:

Hi - Im looking for a wiring harness but it looks like both of the options you recommend are passive systems - i.e., they will not talk to the car to provide alerts if a trailer bulb is out or to disable the rear park sensors when a trailer is connected. Do you offer any active systems that will work with my vehicle?

asked by: Rick K

Expert Reply:

The three options for a 4-pole wiring harness kit for your 2014 BMW X5, all shown on the linked page, are powered converter types that use a direct connection to the battery to provide the actual power to operate the trailer lights. The signals from the car serve only to trigger the converter but they do not power the lights. This feature provides isolation and protection for the car's internal wiring/circuitry in the event of a short or other fault on the trailer. A new harness is much cheaper than a dealer service call to repair the Beemer's wiring!

None of these aftermarket items are designed to integrate with your vehicle bulb-out or parking sensor systems.

One of these three kits, the ZCI # 119250KIT, offers a non-intrusive installation thanks to its use of clip-o sensors that read the signals in the car's wiring. No cutting, splicing or other permanent modifications are required and the harness can be removed and installed in another vehicle if required in the future.

expert reply by: Adam R