Has anyone found a hitch that will work on a 335d?

I want to tow my jet ski, has anyone found a hitch that will work on a 2011 335d?

Thanks,
Galvin

Originally Posted by galvinsc

I want to tow my jet ski, has anyone found a hitch that will work on a 2011 335d?

Thanks,
Galvin

I think the answer is "no" - there's also a thread over on b i m m e r f o r u m s in the e90 forum.

I heard rumors that one for a different 3 would fit but I haven't confirmed it yet...hopefully someone will think of something. I guess I could have one custom made...

Originally Posted by galvinsc

I heard rumors that one for a different 3 would fit but I haven't confirmed it yet...hopefully someone will think of something. I guess I could have one custom made...

Most of the ones for the 335i won't fit, because the DEF tank forces a different muffler configuration. Also, you can't weld stuff onto the DEF tank like you can on the trunk's under-floor compartment structure that is on the 328i/335i.

Do a Google search and find what possible hitch manufacturers are near you. Often, they will design and install a hitch for your car for free in order to have a hitch available for that model. They certainly do not go out and buy every single car available in order to design a hitch. It may be that no hitch manufacturers have been offered a 335d to design a hitch for.

http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/bm...35d-sedan.html

You wouldn't be able to tow anything with a sedan... come on... it doesn't have enough torque!

http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/bm...35d-sedan.html

Amigos I went to the site and @ $693 YIKES its a little to steep for me. And they do not show you HOW or where the hitch is installed (yes, I know its in the rear of the car, but I need to see how they do it)

If you are near here: http://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Trailer-Hitches, they will customize a hitch for free.

Originally Posted by bredi

You wouldn't be able to tow anything with a sedan... come on... it doesn't have enough torque!

?????????

this thing produces as much torque as my Nissan Titan did.

jk. sarcasm.

Execuhitch offers an excellent solution for the 335 d for either towing or bike rack use!
www.execuhitch
www.youtube.com keyword: execuhitch

Originally Posted by DEAN@EXECUHITCH

Execuhitch offers an excellent solution for the 335 d for either towing or bike rack use!
www.execuhitch
www.youtube.com keyword: execuhitch

Dean,
It would be great if you could post more pix of an Execuhitch mounted to a US-spec 335d. Any pix of the rear bumper, exhaust area and rear under carriage would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/bm...35d-sedan.html

Good one TeddyBgame , DEAN from execuhitch has not responded as of today (going on 3 weeks now!!), maybe blowing smoke at us. C'mon dean show your colors I might interested in one but the price might be to high for most of us!!

Well to set the record strait, I did get pictures and details on the hitch. Go to the website and ask for information and pics, or send me a pm and I will forward the info.

P

pedro send me pics ok

Originally Posted by pedser

Well to set the record strait, I did get pictures and details on the hitch. Go to the website and ask for information and pics, or send me a pm and I will forward the info.

P

Thanks. I've seen what they have on the site. If they've sent you some pix, can you post them up here? Thanks!

There are three possible solutions for a 335d to have a hitch. I'm not quite sure why all the hesitation or doubts. The only thing you need to be sure is that you buy the extra muffler bracket (if it is not a specific 335D solution). There are various pics out there with the hitches installed. Because all of these solutions, in essence, replace the rear bumper brace there really are no issues with the exhaust (such as you would have with something like a CURT hitch solution, etc). You only need that extra muffler bracket. Take a look at the various install instructions out there. Google westfalia bmw towbar uk and you will find the westrfalia uk website with installation instructions and pictures. There are a couple of folks who have imported this solution for their US 335d's and installed them without any hitch (yes pun intended, it was too easy).

I spoke with the exehutich guys in GA and this will work cleanly with all the 335d's in the US. No cuts to the bumper and totally hidden. There are pictures on their website and they will email you a PDF with the instructions (and more pictures) if you want more details.

If you want to import the BMW OEM stuff from the UK that will work as well. check out pfjones.co.uk and you are looking for the Westfalia version. There are other towbars available for the 335d but they require a slight cut in the underside of the bumper that likely no one will notice except you and they are not what BMW would sell you. Of course the Euro's love to tow so they have more aftermarket solutions that work equally as well.

You will need to order the following part numbers:
303330 (the actual towbar and parts). BTW towbar = hitch in the UK. This comes with the standard worldwide 50mm ball which equals = 1.97 inches or something similar so should work more than fine with a 2" trailer. 303330600001 is the complete westfalia number but PFjones shortens. This is a very nice hitch that is very hidden and has an easily removable gooseneck ball.

303460300107 (the 7 pin BMW wiring -- you can easily buy an adapter to convert the 7 pin to the standard US 4 prong trailer wiring). If you are using pfjones look this up separately from the towbar as it will be about half the price compared to choosing this as an option on the same page as the towbar. You could also look into other wiring options if you want to get crazy and pull a camper, etc and need more wiring to run things inside the camper. You're on your own there as I only pull some basic trailers to haul a sailboat and just a basic small utility trailer for work around the house or hauling my vintage Vespa scooter.

Check out
http://www.elecdirect.com/product/ee...b9eb14cd4.aspx

for the 7 to 4 adapter.

And then for the extra exhaust hanger order part #303240600015

You will not be able to find this part on the website but when you go to place your order include it in the notes. They will send you an email with the price for the extra bracket (62 british pounds = $98) Shipping is a real kick in the pants, but it will arrive in about a week depending on customs. Grand total with shipping is 439 british pounds. So depending on the exchange rate that is about $698 dollars for an OEM westfalia setup.

That compares favorably to the execuhitch solution which is $693 plus about $30-50 for shipping depending on where you are. Very similar install and systems. Although with execuhitch you'll be able to get a 1 7/8 ball, which is not available in the rest of the world.

eurohitch wants about $700 just for the hitch and then you have to buy the wiring (i think, their website isn't the most user friendly) and the extra bracket ($220!!! ). I just didn't even bother looking at them any further. From the pictures it looks like all they are doing is importing the Westfalia towbars and reselling them. Just bypass them and import it yourself for much cheaper.

So if you have a 335d and you are looking for a hitch solution those are your options. Yes, pricey, but they are very clean looks and no one will ever know you have hitch unless they are crawling under the back side of your car. Look at the install details and you will see why these are such expensive hitches. Even if CURT or some of the others had a work around for the 335d's underside they would not be as clean and likely would require some drilling, possibly cutting. Sure they would like be half the price but I think these other towbars are worth the money.

Get out there and have some fun.

Jim

pedser sent me the pictures execuhitch sent them but shows vehicles with hitch installed and nothing else ,once i get home I'll download photos and transfer to site

The westfalia stuff from the UK will not work due to the DEF tanks. It will press against it and will likely burst it open if you install.

This guy
http://sites.google.com/site/boardin...ing/ourbmw335d

seems to not have the plastic DEF tank above his exhaust and was able to install a hitch. Not sure how he got a 335D in the US without the DEF tanks but kudos to him.

So it looks like execuhitch is the way to go.

You sure he is in the states? He also says it is a coupe.

Originally Posted by Snipe656

You sure he is in the states? He also says it is a coupe.

Good catch. Looks like he's in Overton, United Kingtom to be exact...

Originally Posted by Axel61

pedser sent me the pictures execuhitch sent them but shows vehicles with hitch installed and nothing else ,once i get home I'll download photos and transfer to site

I've asked Dean to give me some references in the States or Canada, but he tells me he has been unable to get any of them to agree to talk to me. Seems strange, as we are such a keen group willing to help each other. I'd certainly be prepared to. Makes me have doubts about his product.

Had shy people not answering y Execuhitch emails or technical issues. Please anyone on bimmerfest respond. Thank you in advance. Execuhitch has moved into a new facility near Duluth (north atlanta), GA and retooled to serve the BMW community in an even better way.

The move to new facility took longer than expected and caused a number of delays in service and in some case delays in formation as our main server access was delayed I apologize for any issues or delays in service or information acquisition.
Dean