How to Add a Brake Controller to a 2015 BMW X5

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Question:

I have a dealer installed class 3 hitch and wiring harness. I am now looking to tow an ultra-lite travel trailer. Do I need to purchase a seperate brake controller? Is there a way I can tell if I have one installed. Do you make a 2 5/16 ball that will fit on my BMW factory installed hitch? Thank you

asked by: Dan

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Expert Reply:

A brake controller will only be necessary if the trailer you will be towing has brakes. The easiest way to tell whether or not the trailer has brakes would be to look at the trailer side connector. If the trailer side connector has 7 pins then it will more than likely have brakes.

If the trailer does have brakes then I recommend using the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller part # 90195 as this is one of our most popular options. It has integrated safeguards to protect both the vehicle/trailer and it runs continuous diagnostic checks for safety. Your vehicle did not come with a trailer brake controller from the factory so chances are you do not have one unless it was installed aftermarket.

In order to use a brake controller you will also need a functioning 7-way trailer connector on the vehicle. There was an option for a factory 7-way on your 2015 BMW X5 so if this is the case then the only other thing you need is the wiring kit part # 5506 unless there are blunt cut wires under the dash for a brake controller. If your X5 did not come with a factory 7-way then you will want to use the Universal Install Kit part # ETBC7 and hook that up to your existing 4-way.

In order to choose the proper ball mount you will want to take a look at the attached help article and then choose from the selection I have attached for you. The Ball Mount Kit part # 989900 is a great starter kit for most vehicles that comes with a 2-5/16" hitch ball though you will need to verify the rise/drop is correct for you.

expert reply by: Conner L

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Answer 1

For the 2017 BMW X5 M Sport package vehicles like yours we only have Stealth hitch options available like the part #SH79VR for if you were planning on carrying a bike rack or part #SH85VR for if you planned on doing some towing which comes with a…

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Answer 2

The Draw-Tite #75600 and Curt #13077 are the confirmed hitch fits for your 2015 BMW X5 so long as it is not the M model; for that model we have no hitch. Both of these hitch items are fairly involved installations as hitches go; you can refer to…

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Answer 3

The cable that comes with the Conventional Ramp Door Spring for 8' Wide Enclosed Trailer - Dual Spring - 150-lb Capacity #362SA8207 is 150" and can be replaced with part #CAB1-8CB150. I confirmed this with my contact at TRC. If you…

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Answer 4

I recommend the Curt Easy Mount Bracket #C58000 on the end of the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #13077. This is going to be a solid mount and will handle the weight of the connector and the 7-way harness when they are connected. Using a Mighty Cord…

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Answer 5

You won't need to obtain the weight of the entire door, just the un-hinged side. You'll want to find the amount of weight you'll need to overcome to easily lift the door. You could use an old bathroom scale, place some blocking on it, and…

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Answer 6

The Conventional Ramp Door Spring for 8' Wide Enclosed Trailer #362SA8207 is 96" wide, 4-7/8" tall and 7-1/2" deep when mounted above the trailer door. The entire assembly weighs 30lbs and is rated for 150lbs lift capacity. The…

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Answer 7

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 8

You do have the option to utilize the air brakes on your 2023 Freightliner Cascadia to control electric trailer brakes using the Hayes Air Actuated Trailer Brake Controller, part #HA100400C. However, we mostly recommend just using an electric brake…

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Answer 9

The Prodigy P3 trailer brake controller uses a 4-wire hookup. The white wire is to be grounded to the battery negative terminal; the black power wire connects to the battery hot terminal through a circuit breaker; the red wire takes in the brake…

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Answer 10

The P3 brake controller, #90195, will go into a sort of sleep mode after it detects no movement for 15 minutes. While it is on it does not draw very much power. What you can do to make sure it goes to sleep is exit the truck after turning it off,…

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Answer 11

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 12

Although the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 #90195 and Primus IQ #TK90160 electric brake controllers are very similar they do have some key differences as well. For one the P3 is designed to work with electric and electric over hydraulic brake systems. The…

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How to Add a Brake Controller to a 2015 BMW X5

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