Parts Needed for A 2017 BMW X4 To Tow A Trailer With Electric Brakes  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hi Hannah,

If you're not wanting to run a wire from the brake controller to the 7-way for the brake controller you can go with the Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller # C51180 and 7-Way RV Upgrade Kit # ETBC7L. The # ETBC7L will plug into your 4-way connector and will have a a wire to run up to the battery for 12v power. The rest of the wires can be capped off with some electrical tape and saved incase you need to connect to the reverse light or do end up switching to a brake controller that would need to be hardwired.

The Curt Echo # C51180 plugs into the 7-way for 12v power and utilizes an app to change your settings. If you want a manual override button on your dash instead of having to unlock your phone you can also install the # C83HR. This just has double sided tape to stick to your dash so there's no drilling and since it's wireless you won't have to drill into the dash to run a line between the controller and manual override button.

To mount the # ETBC7L you'll want to pick up a long no-drill bracket # 18136 and mount it so it's facing down. You'll need to bend the end of it up to bolt on the included mounting ring. I typically measure down from the trailer hitch crosstube to the bottom of the fascia to see where I need to make the bend to clear it. I'll stick that portion of the bracket in a vice and use a dead blow hammer to bend the rest down.

expert reply by: Kevin C

0

Heather A.

11/17/2025

Hey Hannah, how did things go with the Curt Echo wireless brake controller and the 7-way upgrade kit on your BMW X4? Your update could make it easier for others looking to tow a trailer with electric brakes using a 4-pin setup.