X5 Trailer Hitch - How much?

I want to put a trailer hitch on my X5.

Mine will be for a bike rack, but I'd like to do it correctly so the next owner can tow a boat or trailer (...hmmm maybe I can buy a race car and trailer too!).

Does it bolt on? Does it need welding? Where is the electrical?

Can't help you out, but that would be cool. Don't you think the hitch bike rack would impede the back from opening though?

I'd like to get the tow kit one day, when I can afford to get a boat!

P.S. I think we're the only two guys in here! I'll ask the next question, and you answer, OK? I'll do the same for you.

Originally Posted by Masskrug

P.S. I think we're the only two guys in here! I'll ask the next question, and you answer, OK? I'll do the same for you.

I'm the Moderator in here... kinda embarassing for the lack of traffic (though we don't get a ton of flames or spam either).

The bike rack tilts back, and I already have it. I either get a trailer hitch, or sell the bike rack. I'd like to buy the trailer hitch, then I can rent JetSki's or a boat.

Well,

We could have a good ol' fashioned Fest splat! I'll rabidly call you names for some mysterious offending circumstance, and then post under mulitple aliases, like, Emit_This_MoFo and others yet to be invented. That'll get some attention here!

Or not.

Your call?

Do you think the dealer sells a trailer hitch for it? Bolt-on would be very, very, nice.

Originally Posted by DougDogs

what's wrong with this thread?? on "veiw new posts" it says 5 replies 1 veiw. . .how do you reply without veiwing??? I would think that the veiw number should always be larger than the reply number???

I am not viewing the thread, I just click on the link in my "new post" e-mail. Basically, I am coming in the back door... kinda strange.

Bavarian Autosport has a hitch for the X5 listed at $179.99 and it is bolt-on. Not bad.

If the OE X5 hitch is anything like the E46 or E39 ones, it's not a standard American receiver socket, so accessories like a bike rack which are meant to plug into those won't work.

I think I need something like a 2" (or 3") box recepticle. I think my 4Runner had a "Class III" hitch, or something along those lines...

They actually have a smaller 1" or 1.5" for bike racks. It is a "Class I" I think.

You guys are lucky this is in the X5 forum. The perverts over in OT would have a field day with the last half-dozen posts...

Originally Posted by Kaz

You guys are lucky this is in the X5 forum. The perverts over in OT would have a field day with the last half-dozen posts...

Kaz,

You know we are talking about WIDTH here...

- Mike

Check out www.hitch-web.com .
They've got pdfs of the instruction sheets for installation.

I put a Dalan 1.5" receiver on my 330Xi just for a bike rack.
http://members.roadfly.com/zippyh/hitch.html
I remember when I was searching for it, I found that it was the same part that BMW sells in Europe. I sure wouldn't tow anything with my car though.

Originally Posted by zippyh

I put a Dalan 1.5" receiver on my 330Xi just for a bike rack.
http://members.roadfly.com/zippyh/hitch.html
I remember when I was searching for it, I found that it was the same part that BMW sells in Europe. I sure wouldn't tow anything with my car though.

Looks pretty decent for something like the bike carrier. Wouldn't want to tow a trailer using a hitch bolted to the spare tire well, though. And I've helped install the Euro OE tow hitch, and this sure isn't it.

I have heard of problems with aftermarket hitches. supposedly, the BMW hitch has extra bracing installed. I know it cost more

Here is a URL for the install.

http://ziff.net/~adam/x5world/hitch%20install.htm

I had heard there are issues with the electrical if you don't use BMW one. Which is actually made by another company.

The Hitch retails for $495. Figure a rough 15-20% CCA discount on it.

This is all without the the ball.

The BMW hitch comes with an adapter to convert from the round plug to the I think 6 pin flat plug.

Check with Creviers parts. They sponser Roadfly.com and he has a forum where he just shoots prices out.

Some people may cringe at what I did but I do know a few things. So, I researched as much as I can with the OEM hitch and the aftermarket offerings. I found the most affordable and practical avenue was U-Haul. I found the hitch for about $143 and the passive/powered light converter box for $26. The hitch was a direct bolt on supplied with grade 8 hardware. I didn't pin-out the trailer harness in the vehicle since I had a passive/powered converter box. What I did was pin-out the light harness in the vehicle for a signal to connect to the input intto the box, then I found a suitable location for the box, ground, and fused power for the box. Need a passive box because if lights are connected directly to the wires to the tail lamps, turn signals, and brake lamps, the vehicle will detect too much resistance and throw a code (lights are out). Ran the cables out back as if I had the OEM harness and it works perfect. Total cost was Under $200 and it's matched load rated for the vehicle. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by bten

I have heard of problems with aftermarket hitches. supposedly, the BMW hitch has extra bracing installed. I know it cost more

From BMW dealers, or from people that heard it from BMW dealers?

Love to see some pictures...

I know of NO car mahufacturer that has a trailer hitch that ISN'T bolt on... nobody welds on hitches or requires cutting/mods to install their hitch. They are all bolt on.

For the X5, for just carrying bikes, skip the electric for now- just get a hitch that takes a full size (2" receiver) then buy a bike rack that either swings down or to the side to allow access to the rear.

I suspect the aftermarket hitches are essentially just a copy of the BMW hitch- no mfg would thin that down, just copy it and be done. Why take on potential liability and make it lighter or less braced? Just MHO. Again, pics of the BMW versus....would be nice.

You or someone else can always add the electric if ever needed.

Originally Posted by richcdad

Some people may cringe at what I did but I do know a few things. So, I researched as much as I can with the OEM hitch and the aftermarket offerings. I found the most affordable and practical avenue was U-Haul. I found the hitch for about $143 and the passive/powered light converter box for $26. The hitch was a direct bolt on supplied with grade 8 hardware. I didn't pin-out the trailer harness in the vehicle since I had a passive/powered converter box. What I did was pin-out the light harness in the vehicle for a signal to connect to the input intto the box, then I found a suitable location for the box, ground, and fused power for the box. Need a passive box because if lights are connected directly to the wires to the tail lamps, turn signals, and brake lamps, the vehicle will detect too much resistance and throw a code (lights are out). Ran the cables out back as if I had the OEM harness and it works perfect. Total cost was Under $200 and it's matched load rated for the vehicle. Hope this helps.

Did you cut the fascia youself or did Uhaul do the installation? Could we get a photo of the final product?

I started this thread about my E53... a couple weeks ago I put a hitch on my E70.

I bought the hitch at the dealer, installed it myself, and then had the dealer program it.

- Mike