Latest on 2011 x5 Tow Hitches

Originally Posted by flymikeair

I had considered that, but I'm moving in a week so i couldn't wait any longer for a factory hitch and the bmw dealership refused to install a 2010 hitch on my X5. my boat weighs roughly 4000 pounds so I'll report back when i get to texas with it. As for quality of the build, I have the installation instructions for the factory hitch and the two attach in exactly the same manner, and other then the hitch sitting about an inch and half lower then the factory hitch they are about same in construction. plus the drawtite hitch states it is rated for 6000 pounds. As for the quality of the hitch I think it's pretty good, I used to have a 3/4 ton ram and the hitch is made of the same beefy materials as the ram's hitch was.

I appreciate the concern though.

Given the 2010 and 2011 hardware is the same, I too tried to get a dealer to install the 2010 hardware (throw away the 2010 trim kit) and when 2011 kit becomes available do the software install plus the 2011 trim kit. My immediate need was to hook up my Yakima bike rack. Initially dealer agreed, then he made a few calls to the "BMW main office" and then declined to do it - for liability reasons. Finally in mid September I got the 2011 hardware and software installed.

I too looked into non BMW hitches, but then I saw a "warning sticker" on my 2011 X5 Xdrive35d (June build) that basically said if I install a third party item it may impact my vehicle warranty. I have since removed the sticker (got into my field of vision while driving), so can't quote the exact words, someone reading this post may still have that sticker - upper left corner of the front windshield.

I "think" the law is if the installed part has no bearing to the issue at hand, then OEM has to honor their warranty for the broken part. Not a lawyer, I felt it would be more costly to prove the hitch had nothing to do with the current problem than using a BMW approved 2011 hitch now.

Well besides the fact I like the way the aftermarket hitch looks (requires almost no cutting of the bumper) it was also way cheaper only $280 and a few hours on a sat installed. Besides they didn't have one available when i had to move from NJ to TX so they left me no choice but after going thru the whole experience I would do the same thing again. I like the clean look of the installation a lot better then the bmw hitch, just my opinion.


As for proving my part didn't cause the malfunction the burden of proof is on the manufacturer not the consumer. The Magnuson moss warranty act states that the manufacturer has to prove that what you used caused the problem. A silly example would be they deny warranty coverage on the transmission because you have an aftermarket stereo. Obviously that's not allowed. The purpose of the act initially was to inspire competition, for normal day to day repairs and maintenance oil changes for example. BMW can't deny your warranty because you went somewhere else for an oil change. Your service manager may have no idea what can and can't cause a problem in fact most don't but BMW knows and will advise the SA if they feel your part caused it. I had a shim go out on my ram a few years back the service manager said it wasn't covered under warranty since i had larger then stock tires. I had him call dodge and they told the service manager that the larger tires had nothing to do with the shim so it was covered. I put this out there cause I want people to not be afraid to add parts to their cars and have their vehicle how they want. Dealerships will always try to scare you into thinking that if you don't use them for all your service and accessories both parts and labor then you'll void your warranty which simply isn't true.

Originally Posted by flymikeair

Well besides the fact I like the way the aftermarket hitch looks (requires almost no cutting of the bumper) it was also way cheaper only $280 and a few hours on a sat installed.

Can you share what aftermarket hitch you used?

I snapped some pics at the performance center in SC Tuesday and they have their X5 set up this way- not sure if that is even a factory hitch- but for sure its got a small cutout.

Seems to me there is no standard procedure for installation- its left up to the service department of each dealership to figure out. As far as voiding warranty by using an aftermarket hitch- doubtful- Magnuson Moss act should cover that argument.

Originally Posted by pfbz

Can you share what aftermarket hitch you used?

$184.00
Draw-Tite Class III Hitch (Part Number: 75600)
got from
http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/

electronics I got from a local shop to avoid shipping but they can be purchased from these websites

Tow Ready Wiring part number 119176

http://www.woodys-auto-supply.com/

for the 7 pin plug you'll also want to get
7-Way Trailer Wiring Harness part number 20224

http://www.americanrvcompany.com/

total cost if you feel up to doing the work yourself is about $270. Took me about 4 hours to do it, this is not difficult but you will need a second person there and lots of patience to find all the little screws and spots to get it apart. i will warn you taking the back bumper off is tricky, go to your local bmw center and see if they will print off the instructions to remove the back bumper. Mine did and it was much easier once i had those. For connecting the wires use a circuit tester on the 10 volt setting and test each circuit from the back of the plug while it is plugged into the light. I ultimately cut a hole in the lower fascia for the 7 pin plug so it has a nice clean look better then the factory installation IMHO. When I get my car emptied from the move and can see the wires again I'll post which wire connects to which.

You guys kill me. Spend 60k+ on a car and do this yourself? Those "little clips and screws" in that bumper can cause much pain. Who does the electrical recoding? When I'm hauling my 3600# boat down I-95 at 65mph I want to feel secure...not thinking about how I saved a couple of hundred bucks and if I put the bumper back correctly. The OEM install may not be the sexiest feature on the X5....but it does it's business really well.

Just my .02

Originally Posted by Lunablue

You guys kill me. Spend 60k+ on a car and do this yourself? Those "little clips and screws" in that bumper can cause much pain. Who does the electrical recoding? When I'm hauling my 3600# boat down I-95 at 65mph I want to feel secure...not thinking about how I saved a couple of hundred bucks and if I put the bumper back correctly. The OEM install may not be the sexiest feature on the X5....but it does it's business really well.

Just my .02

Luna:

You miss the point. Many of us like to work on our own vehicles. And, if we can save a couple of hundred $$ in the process - that's a plus. Let's us buy more and/or better wine or beer.

BTW, a general observation - the X5 is not a passenger car. It is a light truck. BMW, DOT and others classify it as such.

I totally get that. I race sailboats which has a high DIY component. Seems that the car/light truck manufacturers are doing all they can to take DIY out of the ownership equation. Not even a dipstick. Just seems that (IMHO) there are some projects better left to the service guys. Have a drink on me (just don't drive after)

Originally Posted by Lunablue

You guys kill me. Spend 60k+ on a car and do this yourself? Those "little clips and screws" in that bumper can cause much pain. Who does the electrical recoding? When I'm hauling my 3600# boat down I-95 at 65mph I want to feel secure...not thinking about how I saved a couple of hundred bucks and if I put the bumper back correctly. The OEM install may not be the sexiest feature on the X5....but it does it's business really well.

Just my .02

Agree, which is why I do my own work.

I wouldnt buy a car I cannot work on.

Why does acquisition cost have a bearing on an owner doing their own work? Or why would it be delivered as a bit of a put-down? It is a backhand accusation of someone being cheap... Is it some kind of justification people voice to cover up their feelings of inadequacy at mechanical things? Or that they look down on mechanical tasks? Weird... but I see it a lot actually.

You wanna hang out on a boat, cool. I wanna set up a new suspension and take the car for a spin.


it kills me when people spend more time dicking around with getting their car to the dealer, getting a loaner, driving back, getting the car.... than it would take to bolt on a few parts. But then they feel compelled to put down those that DO want to save some bucks by accusing them of being cheap and taking risks.

Just MHO

Originally Posted by flymikeair

Well besides the fact I like the way the aftermarket hitch looks (requires almost no cutting of the bumper) it was also way cheaper only $280 and a few hours on a sat installed. Besides they didn't have one available when i had to move from NJ to TX so they left me no choice but after going thru the whole experience I would do the same thing again. I like the clean look of the installation a lot better then the bmw hitch, just my opinion. . . .

Agree with flymikeair on both cost and appearance comments. If BMW dealers are involved it gets expensive, and yes the dealer installed hitch looks ugly.

I have a steep driveway and I wasn't sure a hitch that came below the existing bumper would clear my driveway.

BMW could have designed a rear bumper with and without the hitch and made it a factory option. By adding a properly secured cover for the hitch/electrical plug opening, the bumper with hitch option could have been made to look like the one without the hitch option.

Such an approach would have solved the appearance issue and also addressed the cost concern somewhat.

This thread needs some spicing up. Perhaps this has been posted already but here is the latest info from BMW.

Does anyone have trailer brake controller install instructions?

Thanks for posting those instructions... that was really informative...

Has anyone had this BMW brake controller installed? Where do they locate it?

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by blacklegdave

Thanks for posting those instructions... that was really informative...

Has anyone had this BMW brake controller installed? Where do they locate it?

I need to find an alternate spot to mount the controller......the cupholder is a terrible idea

Originally Posted by 0428

Really? Who tows stuff using an European luxury SUV?

My wife.

Originally Posted by astrohip

My wife.

I do too

Need something to row my gt3 to the track

X5 is a disposable lease

I also do.....just got the hitch for my 2011 X5!!!
I also just traded in VWTouareg that I trailored 10'X101" Snowmobile trailer several miles on every other wekend during winters of 2005 till 2009 as well as a a single Seadoo GTX (on a Triton ) during summers that I would drop in Lake Champlain and the Hudson River from 2005 till this August....Hope the X5 does as well...

There are a few of us who tow. I had always been on the fence about an x5, but the diesel made the decision EZ. Boat + trailer=3600 lbs.

2011 X5 35d arrives in 3 weeks... Dealer install of OEM hitch scheduled, but I have an nagging question for you X5ers with disc brake boat trailers:

My boat trailer requires the 5-wire flat connector where the 5th wire passes the reverse/backup lights volts to trigger a reverse solenoid on the trailer -- all to allow backing up the trailer on a hill when equipped with disc brakes. Does the standard OEM hitch kit 7-way receptical include the reverse/backup signal for this standard 5 wire application?

Thanks for any help.

Yes. You will need an adapter (round to flat) with the middle pin. Pick it up at any marine or rv store. The adapter the dealer gives you will not include the middle pin. I have the same setup as you do and all works fine.

Thanks much LunaBlue for the confirmation.

I already have a couple of 7 way round to 5 wire flat adaptors so I should be good to go. One less thing to worry about at delivery.

Originally Posted by Izzone

I need to find an alternate spot to mount the controller......the cupholder is a terrible idea

After reading those instructions I completely agree- Seriously- its a crazy idea to mount it in the cup holder. Looks like crap. Suggestion: If you don't like drilling holes, I havent tried this but you might look at routing the brake controller cable to the front area of the driver seat by slipping it through the seam in the side of the center console and use some velcro to mount it there on the side of the console. Then you can disconnect when not using it-

I have a 3/4 ton Diesel pick up that I can use for towing, but I sure would like to have the option of towing with my X5d-its obviously more comfortable to drive, however the install options I've seen so far are really . The cosmetics are so Fugly and I cant bring myself to hack the rear facia up. Since I would tow infrequently, the "open wound" in the rear facia wouldn't work for me. It needs to blend in and look like its meant to be there. BMW has put zero thought into integrating the tow system to fit ergonomically with the vehicle. The X5 is obviously intended to be a tow vehicle since it comes prewired. Look at the competition: the Cayanne-Toureg-Q7- (Jeep- Tahoe) all have a nice looking integral set up.

HEY BMW? Hope you are reading this- Get busy and design a proper rear facia and hitch cover to match the the great looking style of your high end SAV- and while your at it- figure out your wiring set up so its plug & play. Maybe you could simply design an optional rear facia which integrates with the tow hitch and sell it as a part of the tow package-??

I bought a hitch for our 02 X5 4.4, then transferred it (and wiring) to the 05 X5 4.4 that replaced it.

I'll probably be ordering a hitch for the 2011 X5 35i we took delivery of today in the next couple of weeks.

Bill Auberlin (professional BMW race driver for those that don't know) used his X5 4.6is to tow his 10,000 pound Catamaran, after a trip to Germany/talking to the factory engineers. Bill claimed (in an interview) that it towed better than his GMC Dually (no idea what engine, etc.)

It's waaay underrated @ 6k#, at least the E53 version was.

At the time I was looking to put the hitch on the 02 (so, 8+ years ago), there was a guy that'd towed a ginormous Airstream all over the country__I don't recall its length, but 28' sounds too short, so perhaps 32-34'.

The X5 can definitely handle, pull and stop a load.

I've had my 2011 X5 35d for one month today. It has the dealer-installed hitch and brake controller. I've completed a 1600-mile tow, much of it through the Ozark Mountains (not the Rockies, granted, but some good hills nonetheless). I pull an enclosed trailer with an E36 M3 inside, probably totals about 5600 pounds. Same load I used to pull with an E53 4.4i (about 30k miles towing with it). Towing with the E70 is better--more power, just as stable as the E53 if not more so, and better fuel mileage. When I picked up the vehicle I was not crazy about the placement of the brake controller. However, after living with it for one trip, I'm much happier with it now. I can read the display quickly, and the EBC controls "fall readily to hand" as the automotive journalists used to say. Seriously, if I want to adjust the unit or even more importantly, if I want to hit the manual lever quickly, the position is just about perfect. I'll take that over aesthetics any day. Ninety percent of the time I'm alone in the vehicle, so being reduced to one cupholder is not a hardship. On the E53 I was left with one usable cupholder when I moved the center armrest forward--which was most of the time--so I'm used to a single holder.

There may be a more elegant solution to the EBC placement, but I'm satisfied that the existing location is practical, functional, and safe.