e61 Factory Fit Towbar Electrics
#1
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My Ride: Oct 2007 LCI e61 530d Touring. Auto, Deep Sea Blue, Natural Brown Leather, Comfort Seats, Panoramic Glass Sunroof, Professional Navigation, USB Audio, Manual Side Blinds
Hi All,
My e61 has the factory-fit electrically operated towbar. It has a 13pin plug for the electrics.
There doesn't seem to be any info in any of the manuals regarding how to use this socket and what its pinouts are. I know they'll be standard, but I've got more specific questions!
My camping trailer has a standard 7 pin plug. I am thinking of changing it tor a 13pin plug and I'm also in the process of converting my trailer for full interior electrics (12v leisure battery, with interior lights, electric water pump, etc.).
So:
Is it possible for me to charge the leisure battery from the car while driving? If so, do I require any sort of charging distribution system, or can I wire the direct feed from the car direct to my leisure battery?
If not, how would I enable my leisure battery to be charged on the move? I would also like to be able to power a refridgerator in the front box of the trailer while driving.
Thanks,
Andrew
My e61 has the factory-fit electrically operated towbar. It has a 13pin plug for the electrics.
There doesn't seem to be any info in any of the manuals regarding how to use this socket and what its pinouts are. I know they'll be standard, but I've got more specific questions!
My camping trailer has a standard 7 pin plug. I am thinking of changing it tor a 13pin plug and I'm also in the process of converting my trailer for full interior electrics (12v leisure battery, with interior lights, electric water pump, etc.).
So:
Is it possible for me to charge the leisure battery from the car while driving? If so, do I require any sort of charging distribution system, or can I wire the direct feed from the car direct to my leisure battery?
If not, how would I enable my leisure battery to be charged on the move? I would also like to be able to power a refridgerator in the front box of the trailer while driving.
Thanks,
Andrew
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Originally Posted by r5gordini' post='597651' date='Jun 7 2008, 11:04 AM
Hi All,
My e61 has the factory-fit electrically operated towbar. It has a 13pin plug for the electrics.
There doesn't seem to be any info in any of the manuals regarding how to use this socket and what its pinouts are. I know they'll be standard, but I've got more specific questions!
My camping trailer has a standard 7 pin plug. I am thinking of changing it tor a 13pin plug and I'm also in the process of converting my trailer for full interior electrics (12v leisure battery, with interior lights, electric water pump, etc.).
So:
Is it possible for me to charge the leisure battery from the car while driving? If so, do I require any sort of charging distribution system, or can I wire the direct feed from the car direct to my leisure battery?
If not, how would I enable my leisure battery to be charged on the move? I would also like to be able to power a refridgerator in the front box of the trailer while driving.
Thanks,
Andrew
My e61 has the factory-fit electrically operated towbar. It has a 13pin plug for the electrics.
There doesn't seem to be any info in any of the manuals regarding how to use this socket and what its pinouts are. I know they'll be standard, but I've got more specific questions!
My camping trailer has a standard 7 pin plug. I am thinking of changing it tor a 13pin plug and I'm also in the process of converting my trailer for full interior electrics (12v leisure battery, with interior lights, electric water pump, etc.).
So:
Is it possible for me to charge the leisure battery from the car while driving? If so, do I require any sort of charging distribution system, or can I wire the direct feed from the car direct to my leisure battery?
If not, how would I enable my leisure battery to be charged on the move? I would also like to be able to power a refridgerator in the front box of the trailer while driving.
Thanks,
Andrew
Wiring diagram here:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Towing-and-Traile...ler-wiring.html
You might need a relay for the caravan fridge and battery charging from the car, Check w your dealer first:
http://www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk/cart.cf...artstring=false
cheers
#3
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I'd suggest going to your nearest tow bar fitting place and ask if they'll plug in their test board to see if you have the charging pins connected (not all manufacturers connect those ones up, even on a 13 pin plug). I think BMW do generally connect them as part of the kit but I know some (particularly german manufacturers like Audi and VW) don't.
If you do, maybe they can tell you what you need in terms of relays etc. Or try a local caravan dealer.
If you do, maybe they can tell you what you need in terms of relays etc. Or try a local caravan dealer.
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My Ride: 2006 525Xi
2001 Volvo V70 T5
1957 Higgins Sports Speed Speedster Deluxe - All Mahogany
Hello,
I was just curious as to what you guys in Europe tow with your car. What is the weight of your caravan and how much BMW's are rated for in Europe.
Thanks,
I was just curious as to what you guys in Europe tow with your car. What is the weight of your caravan and how much BMW's are rated for in Europe.
Thanks,
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Originally Posted by nedchiu' post='599189' date='Jun 10 2008, 12:23 AM
Hello,
I was just curious as to what you guys in Europe tow with your car. What is the weight of your caravan and how much BMW's are rated for in Europe.
Thanks,
I was just curious as to what you guys in Europe tow with your car. What is the weight of your caravan and how much BMW's are rated for in Europe.
Thanks,
Here, caravans are quite popular. The weight of a new caravan would be from 1200 and up to about 2000kgs for the bigger ones.
Also, small trailers are fairly common.
Regarding how much you are allowed to tow depends on a couple of factors, not only what you car is rated for.
Simply put: With a regular driving license you are allowed to tow a trailer weighing NOT more than what your car is rated for, HOWEVER the weight of the turnout(car+trailer) must NOT exceed 3500 kgs in total. Otherwise you'll need a special license for towing heavy trailers.
In Sweden, the figures looks like this for the E61 (first column with Manual transmission, second column with Auto transmission)
Maximum rated towing weight in kgs:
Petrol engines:
520i - 1600 1800
523i - 1600 1800
525i - 1800 2000
525xi - 1800 2000
530i - 2000 2000
530xi - 2000 2000
550i - 2000 2000
M5 - N/A 1800
Diesels:
520d - 1800 1800
525d - 2000 2000
525xd - 2000 2000
530d - 2000 2000
530xd - 2000 2000
535d - N/A 2000
#6
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My Ride: 2006 525Xi
2001 Volvo V70 T5
1957 Higgins Sports Speed Speedster Deluxe - All Mahogany
Thank you very much for the reply. I do not believe the E60/E61s are even recommended for towing in North America. I think the E60s are completely capable of towing at those rates. I currently have a 01 Volvo V70 T5 (for towing) and a 06 525Xi. The Volvo is rated for about 1500 kgs in North America and I tow a 1200 kg tent trailer. The Volvo is completely capable and I think a E60 is as well. I am currently looking at a new car (for the near future) and not many cars, only SUVs are recommended. I would much prefer a 530Xi.
Thank you again,
Thank you again,
#7
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My Ride: 2007 530xiT, 1964 MBZ 220SEb Coupe, 1986 MBZ 300E and a 1997 Jeep Cherokee as my cottage car.
Previous rides started with a 1947 Studebaker Commander convertible and included numerous Fords, VWs, MBZs, Saabs and, for added measure, a '61 Buick Special Wagon and Pontiac GTO.
Originally Posted by nedchiu' post='599585' date='Jun 10 2008, 07:25 AM
Thank you very much for the reply. I do not believe the E60/E61s are even recommended for towing in North America. I think the E60s are completely capable of towing at those rates. I currently have a 01 Volvo V70 T5 (for towing) and a 06 525Xi. The Volvo is rated for about 1500 kgs in North America and I tow a 1200 kg tent trailer. The Volvo is completely capable and I think a E60 is as well. I am currently looking at a new car (for the near future) and not many cars, only SUVs are recommended. I would much prefer a 530Xi.
Thank you again,
Thank you again,
Al T.
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My Ride: 2007 530xiT: CPO purchase in 2008, used by a BMW exec previously, and like-new when I got it. Compared to my other cars, at first I thought it felt heavy and steering was too heavy. Now, I really enjoy driving it in town and on the freeway. On my
So in the US, what's the best setup for a towbar? How are you North american guys doing this? I've got a 07 530xiT. Thanks all!
#9
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My Ride: 2007 530xiT, 1964 MBZ 220SEb Coupe, 1986 MBZ 300E and a 1997 Jeep Cherokee as my cottage car.
Previous rides started with a 1947 Studebaker Commander convertible and included numerous Fords, VWs, MBZs, Saabs and, for added measure, a '61 Buick Special Wagon and Pontiac GTO.
Originally Posted by yeewiz' post='603107' date='Jun 15 2008, 12:04 PM
So in the US, what's the best setup for a towbar? How are you North american guys doing this? I've got a 07 530xiT. Thanks all!
...We had a local hitch shop install a Curt hitch on our 2007 530Xi. The hitch and its installation does not look as good as the factory or after-market units available outside of NA, but it serves our purpose. Finding someone to locate and install a wiring harness has proven to be difficult, however.
Al T.
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My Ride: E61 Sport: Space Grey/Blk, Cold Weather Pkg., Nav
Originally Posted by Al T.' post='603842' date='Jun 16 2008, 02:41 PM
...We had a local hitch shop install a Curt hitch on our 2007 530Xi. The hitch and its installation does not look as good as the factory or after-market units available outside of NA, but it serves our purpose. Finding someone to locate and install a wiring harness has proven to be difficult, however.
Al T.
Al T.
Good luck!