AWD towing capacity?

blue dragon · 02-26-2019, 12:37 PM

Sorry to bump an old thread, but the Canadian F48 X1s are prewired, what exactly does that mean? BMW does not sell an electrical wiring harness in North America.

AL20153 · 07-19-2020, 08:13 AM

Hello!!!

I am trying to install a brake controller (Tekonsha Prodigy P3) to me 2016 X1 xDrive, US model in order to tow a trailer with electric brakes. Brake Controller instructions said to connect its red wire to the cold wire of the brake sensor switch. However, the break switch is electromagnetic and all I see are two wires – a ground (brown) and a hot (blue) with 8.9V. Pressing the brake produces a slight variation in voltage on the hot (from 8.9V goes down to 8.8V), ground shows no change. {Note: I’ve installed same controller on a Honda Odyssey which have a mechanical switch and the cold switch wire shows 0V (brake not pressed) and 12.6V (brake pedal pressed)}
Does any of you have any suggestion where I can get the input from for the brake controller? I was thinking that the switch must have some other wires (besides the two I mentioned that powers the electromagnet of the switch) that will send the break signal to the car’s modules, but I do not see any. I am sure somehow transmits, but I do not see how.

Can any of you suggest a solution? I see IPStevieB mentioned Hitch House in Chamblee GA (Atlanta area) did the installation for him, but I leave in FL and driving there it is not an option.
I was thinking to run a wire from the stop lights from the back of the car to the brake controller input, but I have a feeling it is not best thing to do.

Please help me solve this challenge!
Thank you,
-Alin

BrianJ · 07-21-2020, 04:17 PM

To get back to the original subject, if you spec the towbar option in Europe you get an enhanced engine cooling system.

SN2020 · 11-13-2020, 09:09 PM

Any Canadian owners have experience with an aftermarket hitch? A local trailer/hitch company said they've done it for a few customers but haven't been able to find first hand accounts/reviews from actual owners. I'm looking to do some light weight towing under 1000lbs, such as lumber and ride-on mower.

02-26-2019, 12:37 PM	#23
blue dragon Lieutenant Colonel 1192 Rep 1,544 Posts Drives: '22 Tesla MY + '23 Tesla MY Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Land of high taxes and crappy healthcare iTrader: (2)	Sorry to bump an old thread, but the Canadian F48 X1s are prewired, what exactly does that mean? BMW does not sell an electrical wiring harness in North America. __________________ \| '22 Tesla Model Y P - My daily \| '23 Tesla Model Y LR - Wife's daily \| '17 F15 35D - missed daily \|
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07-19-2020, 08:13 AM	#24
AL20153 New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: F30 2015-03 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Hello!!! I am trying to install a brake controller (Tekonsha Prodigy P3) to me 2016 X1 xDrive, US model in order to tow a trailer with electric brakes. Brake Controller instructions said to connect its red wire to the cold wire of the brake sensor switch. However, the break switch is electromagnetic and all I see are two wires – a ground (brown) and a hot (blue) with 8.9V. Pressing the brake produces a slight variation in voltage on the hot (from 8.9V goes down to 8.8V), ground shows no change. {Note: I’ve installed same controller on a Honda Odyssey which have a mechanical switch and the cold switch wire shows 0V (brake not pressed) and 12.6V (brake pedal pressed)} Does any of you have any suggestion where I can get the input from for the brake controller? I was thinking that the switch must have some other wires (besides the two I mentioned that powers the electromagnet of the switch) that will send the break signal to the car’s modules, but I do not see any. I am sure somehow transmits, but I do not see how. Can any of you suggest a solution? I see IPStevieB mentioned Hitch House in Chamblee GA (Atlanta area) did the installation for him, but I leave in FL and driving there it is not an option. I was thinking to run a wire from the stop lights from the back of the car to the brake controller input, but I have a feeling it is not best thing to do. Please help me solve this challenge! Thank you, -Alin
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07-21-2020, 04:17 PM	#25
BrianJ Private 25 Rep 80 Posts Drives: BMW F48 X1 xDrive20i Sport B48 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Peak District National Park, UK iTrader: (0)	To get back to the original subject, if you spec the towbar option in Europe you get an enhanced engine cooling system.
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11-13-2020, 09:09 PM	#26
SN2020 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW X1 xDrive28i Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Any Canadian owners have experience with an aftermarket hitch? A local trailer/hitch company said they've done it for a few customers but haven't been able to find first hand accounts/reviews from actual owners. I'm looking to do some light weight towing under 1000lbs, such as lumber and ride-on mower.
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