Installing Electric Trailer break controller: how to remove trim?

[miamipanther]

We just purchased Airstream sport 16 foot Trailer.

Our 12 E70 has OEM trailer hitch installed, but as always E70 still need to install the break controller to tow legally. Steallership quote $280 parts + $535 labor to install the electric Trailer break controller which is Prodigy P2 indeed. Since we already have Prodigy P2 unit passed from a friend. The only thing missing is to wire the 4 pin connecter from electric panel at rear right side of the car to the dashboard on the driver side.

I got the PDF installation guide for electric controller, it seems a fair straight DIY project, but I am not sure how to prey off all kind of trims: wheel arch trim, door pillar trim, b pillar trim, door still trim etc.

Does anyone happen to have a guide or even did so? any sugesstion is appreciated.

We are supposed to pick up the trialer on Saturday, hopefully the break controller is ready at that time.

[miamipanther]

Picture attached

[blue dragon]

Use the wireless controller. Problem solved.....

[miamipanther]

Thanks for you advise, we will try to intsall P2 first if we can, there are a few advantange of P2.

1. with P2 installed in X5, it can tow other tailers without any additional work.
2. Wireless will require to drill hole on the trialer frame to mount, which may compromise the strengh
3. Wireless has quite footprint.
4. Since we already have P2, it's duplicate investment to get Wireless

[miamipanther]

Well, I have successfully run a wire from BMW hitch harness in the back of the car to Prodigy P2 in the driver sides, it was not that hard at all. Everything works perfectly; I took some installation photos and will post them later.

Here is our my airstream

[ex10psi]

Awesome, good work and good looking trailer!

can you provide brief instructions how you removed the rear cargo area trim? Also, how did you wire it to the 4 pin connector on the trailer wire harness kit?

I noticed you have a 2012 X5, as do I... do you get an kind of special camera zoom mode when the backup camera is turned on? I have heard earlier model E70 X5's have a camera zoom and later model E70 X5's do not? I am just trying to determine if the stealer coded my hitch kit correctly, i had it done at BMW of Seattle.

Thanks for your help!

[ard]

Why does the wireless "REQUIRE" drilling the frame?!?!

[JCL]

Presumably there were no existing holes or bolts that could be used to mount it on the trailer A-frame.

[miamipanther]

Installation pictures attached;

Our X5 does come with backup sensor but no camera, so I can't comment on zoom feature; But I know it's coded properly, when the tailer is attached, in reverse gear, a hitch icon will show up in the back of car on idrive screen, and rear backup sensor is disabled.

Tools and materials needed:
1. You need 18 feet trailer 4 wires, there is 14 gauge one you can find at Woodinville Mclendons; 12 gauge would be better, but I couldn't find locally.
2. the trim remover tool you can find at Bellevue Haborfreight.
3. P2 wire harness at Amazon, any car type less expensive is fine, you are going to cut the car adapter any way.

Installation tips:
1. You DO NOT need to remove cargo area trim and storage pocket as BMW suggested, there is enough space to push the wire through to the rear panel. Removing storage pocket requires removing two one time use plastic pivot, too much trouble to do that.
2. In order to remove rear arch trim, there are two screws need to be removed, one holds seat belt, another is hidden under rubber as in pictures.
3. Tips to remove the carpeted console trim: remove the screw holding it,
pull out front end, and then pull the trim in the direction of car.
4. Cut the P2 harness 4 pin adapter and the BMW 4 pin adapter, and hard wire them; There is no way to find 4 pin male adapter for BMW wire hardness.
5. We put the P2 on the right side under the steering wheel, it doesn't bother either my wife or me.

The whole process should be under 1 hour, and your X5 has full capability to tow after the process

[miamipanther]

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