[PaulE]

Let me start this off by stating I know nothing about towing a trailer. I did buy my M40i with a tow hitch though, and last summer had an engine failure in my Porsche Boxster that I had driven from New Jersey up to the Mt. Tremblant, Canada track for an HPDE. Luckily for me someone else in the club was kind enough to tow me home and let me drive their 997 GT3 that they had trailered up to the track. So when I bought the X3 I got the factory hitch just in case I ever need to rent a trailer to pick up my car from somewhere far away or for some other reason. I just received an email from etrailer for this item and took a look.

Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller - Wireless - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional


The idea of a Bluetooth connection instead of hard wiring seems a bit risky, but for someone who is going to do limited towing, maybe it is a good option. Any thoughts, good or bad on this or any similar product for an occasional trailer tower?

[Neo1130]

I personally would not do it. Hard-wired is the way to go. Bluetooth can have too much interference and fail... Not my cup o' tea especially when it comes to braking... If this is for lights only, sure but not braking... Skip... Depending on trailer weight, you don't want the trailer to push the car, brakes need to work in sync with one another.

[Neo1130]

Plus, it looks like it runs off your phone's sensors to sense vehicle movement. If your phone drops or isn't near perfectly perpendicular to your travel then that'll cause issues...

[mmmmm40i]

agree. I'd stick with the hardwired setup. Although the product description seems to indicate the accelerometer is in the brake controller itself, so its not using your iphone to sense deceleration.

Brake controllers have been the same for years - I think this is an example of technology being added for the sake of technology. I had a crappy brake controller on my old tow vehicle and I never had issues with it.

Get a proper brake controller hardwired to your car and you won't have anything to worry about.

[PaulE]

Thanks for the answers. As I said I don't know a thing about towing and have never towed anything. The Bluetooth idea didn't seem like a great idea to me. I don't know if I'll ever have a need to tow, but if I do I'll have a real brake controller installed.

[sinbad4]

Your factory option has the wired solution *right* there.. bullet proof solution. Making it any more complicated than that well.. don't.

[Neo1130]

Originally Posted by sinbad4

Your factory option has the wired solution *right* there.. bullet proof solution. Making it any more complicated than that well.. don't.

The X3 has a brake controller built in?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Neo1130

The X3 has a brake controller built in?

Harness is built in.

This will help you locate the bits you need:
brake wiring

[Greencat]

Originally Posted by PaulE

Let me start this off by stating I know nothing about towing a trailer. I did buy my M40i with a tow hitch though, and last summer had an engine failure in my Porsche Boxster that I had driven from New Jersey up to the Mt. Tremblant, Canada track for an HPDE. Luckily for me someone else in the club was kind enough to tow me home and let me drive their 997 GT3 that they had trailered up to the track. So when I bought the X3 I got the factory hitch just in case I ever need to rent a trailer to pick up my car from somewhere far away or for some other reason. I just received an email from etrailer for this item and took a look.

Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller - Wireless - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional


The idea of a Bluetooth connection instead of hard wiring seems a bit risky, but for someone who is going to do limited towing, maybe it is a good option. Any thoughts, good or bad on this or any similar product for an occasional trailer tower?

Originally Posted by PaulE

Let me start this off by stating I know nothing about towing a trailer. I did buy my M40i with a tow hitch though, and last summer had an engine failure in my Porsche Boxster that I had driven from New Jersey up to the Mt. Tremblant, Canada track for an HPDE. Luckily for me someone else in the club was kind enough to tow me home and let me drive their 997 GT3 that they had trailered up to the track. So when I bought the X3 I got the factory hitch just in case I ever need to rent a trailer to pick up my car from somewhere far away or for some other reason. I just received an email from etrailer for this item and took a look.

Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller - Wireless - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional


The idea of a Bluetooth connection instead of hard wiring seems a bit risky, but for someone who is going to do limited towing, maybe it is a good option. Any thoughts, good or bad on this or any similar product for an occasional trailer tower?

Get the Teconsha Prodigy RF instead. No wiring in the vehicle required and uses a dedicated wireless remote that plugs into the cig lighter. The controller mounts on the trailer. I used this with my X5 and QX80 without any issues. I'll be using it with my X3 too.

[shoptb]

Considering how often my iPhone drops a connection, the last thing you would want is BLUETOOTH controlling the braking between your beloved x3 and whatever you're hauling. Just my $.02.

[Greencat]

Originally Posted by Greencat

Get the Teconsha Prodigy RF instead. No wiring in the vehicle required and uses a dedicated wireless remote that plugs into the cig lighter. The controller mounts on the trailer. I used this with my X5 and QX80 without any issues. I'll be using it with my X3 too.

Meant to include the link: https://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Contr...EaArn4EALw_wcB

[firstx3]

Originally Posted by Greencat

Get the Teconsha Prodigy RF instead. No wiring in the vehicle required and uses a dedicated wireless remote that plugs into the cig lighter. The controller mounts on the trailer. I used this with my X5 and QX80 without any issues. I'll be using it with my X3 too.

I concur with Greencat. I will be picking up an Airstream Sport 16 that will be fitted with the Tekonsha Prodigy RF (on the A frame of the camper). The RV dealer uses these regularly with german cars so they don't have to mess with wiring and equipment under the dash.

[firstx3]

Can anyone suggest tow mirrors for the 2019 X3?

[sc68z28]

Originally Posted by firstx3

I concur with Greencat. I will be picking up an Airstream Sport 16 that will be fitted with the Tekonsha Prodigy RF (on the A frame of the camper). The RV dealer uses these regularly with german cars so they don't have to mess with wiring and equipment under the dash.

I also like the Tekonsha Prodigy RF #90250.
Works great, easy install, my car and trailer are near 5000 lbs with gear.



---Bill.

[Greencat]

Nice looking rig sc68z28 . What does the Z28 run?

The thing I like most about the wireless remote is being able to quickly change the pre-load (b0-b3) of the brakes based on the road conditions and trailer weight. I tow in winter mostly so conditions are quite variable.

[sc68z28]

Originally Posted by Greencat

Nice looking rig sc68z28 . What does the Z28 run?

My best 1/4 mile was 8.65@ 160 mph.

---Bill.

[Greencat]

Originally Posted by sc68z28

My best 1/4 mile was 8.65@ 160 mph.

---Bill.

That's quick. I used to race a snowmobile (2-stroke 800 triple) on the asphalt in the northeast when the sport was just starting. My best ¼ was 10.00 @ 132 which was pretty scary for me. When Yamaha came out with their 1000cc 4-stroke sleds people were quickly into the low 9s and over 140mph with N2O. I decided I was out at that point. Now they are into the 7s over 160mph with turbos and N2O. Too fast for me.

[PaulE]

Thanks for the info on the Tekonsha Prodigy RF and the BMW wiring. I don't know when or if I'll ever tow a trailer but it's good to know there are good options.