Posted on 26/09/2016 20:56
I'm about to order a new BMW X5 with a manufacturer fitted towbar. Will the tow ball itself need to be compatible with our Elddis on an Alko chassis, what will i need to specify? Has anyone else got an X5 with a factory fit tow bar what is your experience? Also, how do they find it as a tow car? Thanks in advance.
Posted on 28/07/2020 14:40 by VulcanWould you accept that after purchasing a BMW with a factory fitted tow bar it should be capable of powering ATC or don't you think that is a practical necessity.
Posted on 28/07/2020 20:06
When I had problems with my BMW getting all wires connected my dealer hadn’t heard of BMWs being used for towing caravans; horse boxes - yes. I remember back in the days of the 12n and 12s being questioned whilst parked at a French motorway Aire. They wanted to know what the extra socket was for and when I explained that it was for fridge and battery they were baffled.
You have to ask what the auxiliary wiring is really useful for. After all, it can’t cool the fridge properly and hardly charges the leisure battery. I think the continentals are right not to bother and to regard the Brits as a bit odd. The battery will soon recharge on EHU and switch the fridge to gas when you stop for a journey break.
Posted on 28/07/2020 20:06 by hitchglitchWhen I had problems with my BMW getting all wires connected my dealer hadn’t heard of BMWs being used for towing caravans; horse boxes - yes. I remember back in the days of the 12n and 12s being questioned whilst parked at a French motorway Aire. They wanted to know what the extra socket was for and when I explained that it was for fridge and battery they were baffled.
You have to ask what the auxiliary wiring is really useful for. After all, it can’t cool the fridge properly and hardly charges the leisure battery. I think the continentals are right not to bother and to regard the Brits as a bit odd. The battery will soon recharge on EHU and switch the fridge to gas when you stop for a journey break.
Posted on 28/07/2020 22:04
Why would Euro land use a 13 pin pug then if they were only going to use half of it. Depends how far you're going as to whether you want or need power to your fridge.
All connections are connected & work on my Merc factory towbar ... as they did on my Omega's EmilysDad's fitted 13 pin socket.
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Posted on 28/07/2020 22:04 by EmilysDadWhy would Euro land use a 13 pin pug then if they were only going to use half of it. Depends how far you're going as to whether you want or need power to your fridge.
All connections are connected & work on my Merc factory towbar ... as they did on my Omega's EmilysDad's fitted 13 pin socket.
Posted on 29/07/2020 07:33 byMy Merc has a factory fitted towbar and as far as I am aware everything works and when I had an ATC that certainly did. Regarding the fridge we do if we can remember, turn it over to battery but often forget and even towing up to 300 miles a day in hot places it makes no discernible difference and since stuff remains frozen on 24 hour ferries I wouldnt expect it to.
Posted on 10/10/2016 19:56 by EmilysDadHi mollysmummy
For some reason Bmw do not let you spec twin electrics from the factory on any of there cars which does cause some trouble with customers
Cos Euro haven't used 12N & 12S for years .... I was referring to a fully wired 13 pin. The 13pin OE loom I bought for my Vauxhall a few years back had plug & play lighting, but the fridge & charging side needed to be wired up seperately ..... nothing that would be beyond a tame tech
Posted on 27/07/2020 21:48 by TykeThe van battery holds its charge and the fridge keeps its cool long enough not to worry on journeys anyway.
Posted on 30/07/2020 21:16
So, what do you do when , having used the mover to get the van off a pitch, you arrive home, need to use the mover to get the van off the road, but the battery has too little power left to do so?
While I would agree that the fridge is well insulated, I still prefer to have it cooling on a long trip, and contrary to popular opinion, our fridge does indeed cool well on 12v.
