Factory fitted tow bar

insuranceman · Post by **insuranceman** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 7:35 pm

Hi,

Just wondering if someone can help?

We have just taken delivery of a X6 Msport with a factory fitted towbar. I know that 3 of the pins in the 13 pin socket are not wired up and I need to know who has had them wired in and by which company.

We tried getting the dealer to do the work but they refused outright, we then tried Hedleys in Durham but they would not do it as the socket is sealed and they had now way of getting into the socket without damaging it, I then tried Indespension in Newcastle but they would not do the job for the same reason even after I had contacted their Bristol office who said it could be done. I have been back to another BMW dealer to try and get a socket with all the pins wired but the spares department ordered one but it is the same as the one fitted to our car (3 pins not connected). Also the missus is giving me the look of why did we change the car when the towing electrics worked OK on the last car (5 GT Msport).

So I am now pleading for help, can anybody help?

snrbrtsn · Post by **snrbrtsn** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:28 pm

Look at the westfalia dedicated wiring kit from PF jones and have an auto electrican wire it

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/bmw-x6-e71-20 ... hable.html

The link includes the towbar, though ignore it otherwise purchase the dedicated wiring from ebay

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:49 pm

Mine was done by BMW themselves with an add-on kit not a repair kit. They had to order the correct pins separately from BMW. I was never supplied with the details.

There should be only two pins not wired. Pin #12 is not used at all. It should be the switched live (fridge) and constant live that aren't connected at build.

gmc15 · Post by **gmc15** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 11:12 pm

It sounds like you are going to have to get a whole new socket fitted no matter where you go, so damaging the old one is inevitable.
I have used Hedleys for years and found them to be excellent. I would go back to them and ask them to replace the socket with one of their own and wire up accordingly. They may have to install a new dedicated harness, but at least you will get all of the pins working.
Hedleys did my X5 and everything is wired up and works correctly.

Graeme.

mogsyman · Post by **mogsyman** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:19 am

I've heard of this previously but it doesn't really mean much not towing a van etc.

What I don't understand is why do BMW offer a 13 pin if they don't wire it up properly?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 5:25 pm

Because the UK are the only market using fully wired connections but the 13-pin connection is mandated on new builds. Same sort of issue we had with BMW Satnavs and 7-digit postcodes. Nowhere else in the world uses them so we don't count!

When I ordered my E53, RHD models were 'special' and only built in batches at certain times of year, hence me having to wait 10 months for delivery (was 14 months initially).

insuranceman · Post by **insuranceman** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:17 pm

Thanks for the replies.

X5Sport which BMW dealership did you get the work done?

AlpinaB3S · Post by **AlpinaB3S** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:24 pm

Mine was done by the main dealer Listers of Boston with an ad on kit as X5Sport says. They did it FOC and never quibbled or even mentioned me having to pay.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:51 pm

[quote="insuranceman"]
Thanks for the replies.

X5Sport which BMW dealership did you get the work done?
[/quote]

Elms - Bedford. Supplying Dealer.

insuranceman · Post by **insuranceman** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 9:17 pm

Thanks to AlpinaB3S & X5Sport for the info. Before I go back to BMW can I ask if you have fitted to your vehicles the Bosal Oris towbar or the Westfalia?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 9:34 pm

Factory fit.....Westphalia from new.

insuranceman · Post by **insuranceman** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 8:27 am

[quote="X5Sport"]
Factory fit.....Westphalia from new.
[/quote]

We had a factory fitted Westfalia on our last BM and it was changed to 12 pins working but on our X6 it is fitted with the Bosal with the socket cast into the neck of the tow bar. I have tried Bosal UK but they refused to help.

Thanks again for your help.

insuranceman · Post by **insuranceman** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:07 am

I have posted this thread in the wrong section, it should be in the F16 section. I am new to the forum have pity on me O:-).

AlpinaB3S · Post by **AlpinaB3S** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:30 am

[quote="insuranceman"]
Thanks to AlpinaB3S & X5Sport for the info. Before I go back to BMW can I ask if you have fitted to your vehicles the Bosal Oris towbar or the Westfalia?
[/quote]
I have no idea what sort of towbar it is[emoji15] It's the electric one fitted from the factory is all I know

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 6:18 pm

Only used Westfaila

XSeries-forum

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