E83 X3 towbar installation and dedicated electrics.

[Horizon]

No rest for the wicked, I've picked a new Westfalia detachable towbar up this afternoon from PF Jones in Manchester.
I was going to order on line, but thought I would have a ride down to town.
I was going to go for the 7 pin dedicated electrics pack,  Mainly because the 13 pin setup is £165, plus you then have to purchase a 13/7 pin adapter. £10, so the electrics kit comes to £175.
The 7 pin was advertised at £95, so I thought I would then fit duel electrics as we may be looking into getting a caravan. The guy at the shop told me that as the electric socket swing down through the cut out in the bumper both sockets wasn't an option and I should fit a 13 pin socket. And then fit the 7/13 pin adapter.
At this rate the electrics would cost me as much as the towbar !!!!
So I said I would just go for the 7 pin socket.
When he looked at what was in stock he said they had sold out of the 7 pin kits and he would have to give me a 13 pin kit and a 13/7 pin adapter for £95. Result

[jagr]

I have the same kit on mine and haven't gone to the glovebox. All my wiring is in the boot.

Maybe you can tell me what adding to the glovebox gives you?

They must run out of the 7pins alot as they did the same for me last April/May.

[X5Sport]

With the 'standard' having switched to 13-pin back in 2004 (all new models sold in Europe should be fitted OEM with 13-pin at build) then maybe demand is falling?  Might explain lower availability if 7-pin kit.

BMW provide a 'Y' adapter with the factory fit anyway - well all three of mine have been supplied with them - even though the factory still doesn't fully wire the connection.  I insisted BMW sort the wiring, which they did.

When we looked at caravans a couple of years back, all new ones seemed to come with 13-pin though I don't know when, or if, that became the default choice.

[Horizon]

[quote="X5Sport"]
With the 'standard' having switched to 13-pin back in 2004 (all new models sold in Europe should be fitted OEM with 13-pin at build) then maybe demand is falling?  Might explain lower availability if 7-pin kit.

BMW provide a 'Y' adapter with the factory fit anyway - well all three of mine have been supplied with them - even though the factory still doesn't fully wire the connection.  I insisted BMW sort the wiring, which they did.

When we looked at caravans a couple of years back, all new ones seemed to come with 13-pin though I don't know when, or if, that became the default choice.
[/quote]
When I was reading up on towbar electrics I'm sure I read that caravans after 2009 came with 13 pin plugs as standard fitment. I'm sure one of our resident caravaners will know if that's correct.

[Horizon]

[quote="jagr"]
I have the same kit on mine and haven't gone to the glovebox. All my wiring is in the boot.

Maybe you can tell me what adding to the glovebox gives you?

They must run out of the 7pins alot as they did the same for me last April/May.




[/quote]
The wires that go to the front are going to a couple of the cars modules, it's to disable the rear parking sensors and the other to the traction control/ stability system. I will update the information when I have the manual to hand.
Tow bar is on, wiring is in the boot and the socket is fitted, bumper back on and cut out. Just need to finish of reassembling all the panels and connecting the wiring into the rear lights.

[snrbrtsn]

Well done, there something rewarding about diy that those who opt to pay for the privilege don't get!
Tell us you torqued the bolts........

[Horizon]

[quote="snrbrtsn"]
Well done, there something rewarding about diy that those who opt to pay for the privilege don't get!
Tell us you torqued the bolts........
[/quote]
I've been an engineer since I left school at 16, that was 35 years ago, you can see the end of my 24". 1/2" drive breaker bar in the photo.

[X5Sport]

Proper stuff!  None of your metric mumbo-jumbo. Lb/ft etc not blasted Nm!

[Horizon]

Pulled the trigger on a caravan today. Hope I don't regret it

[Jason the plumber]

Hi everybody I have installed a tow bar in my BMW X3 e83 but I am stuck in the wiring bit. I have done all the connections to the lights but when connect the battery doesn’t work I have been trying for a week now please help me also I don’t know where to connect the grey cable
Thank you very much

[Horizon]

Is it a Westfalia electrics kit, also is it a " dedicated " car specific kit that intigrates into the stability control of the car.
Mine had 2 fused connections to the battery, a connection to the Body ( negative earth ) a scotch lock connection to each indicator feed wire ( same colour wires in the kit as the cars wires ) as was the scotchlock connection into the brake circuit.
The other wire " green" I think it was went to the  rear of the dash to a module to integrate the DSC and turn off the parking sensors
1 battery fused supply for the towbar electrics box, one for the fridge feed I think.
Don't forget the Earth

[X5Sport]

Thinking about doing the same now our little one is a bit older.  I want a twin-axle which the X6 will have no trouble with, but that’s a bit of an ‘ask’ for the Gran Tourer (which I’m having built with a towbar.

Make sure you pick up the fridge circuit - BMW do not include it at build!  They also ignore the 12V charging feed too.

The fuse box is probably the best place to pick up the tails you need?

[Jason the plumber]

Thanks for the answer guys but I can’t figure out how make it work I have connected the fuses etc... but nothing. Also I want to ask if you thing that a BMW X3 3.0d m sport 2007 will be okay for a caravan of 83 inch wide
235 length
88 height ?

[X5Sport]

Recommended limit is 80% to 85% of the tow vehicle when the caravan is at its MTPLM (Max Tech Permitted Laden Mass) or maximum weight full laden and the towcar is at Max Gross Weight.  Experienced ‘vanners’ can go higher.

See this to help.....

https://www.caravantalk.co.uk/caravan-a ... ur-caravan

You may find that the handbook states the maximum towing limit.  For my X6 it’s 2.7T but can be upgraded to 3.5T is the car is modified (extra radiators/cooling and bigger electric fan).

From experience I would recommend staying below or close to the 80-85% recommended limit.  It makes for a much nicer tow train 

[Jason the plumber]

I am in the motorway now going from Newcastle to London just bought the caravan. Unfortunately I had to drive without lights because when I connected the lights isn’t working. I think once arrive London will take it into a garafage. Any recommendation?