paul


you can buy a dalan which is the SAME as the BMW trailer but 1/3 the price and install it yourself (about $125 bucks)

you can then order the electronics for the trailer (you NEED the BMW trailer module for the X5 -- NO WAY around this)... cost was slightly over $125

the da'lan attaches exactly the same way and is all but identical to the BMW trailer

the module allows you to connect the trailer wiring to the X5.

i always buy the exact BMW part except in this case. there is no justification for the price.

the dalan hitch comes with bumper support replacement and mounts identically.

i had an 01 which i put on the hidden hitch but only used it for carrying bikes. that hidden hitch is not available (the model was discontinued) because it was not up to snuff (it would pull the bumper off the car if towing more than 400 lbs of stuff); they issued a replacement which has an additional crossmember that drops down and attaches to the rear axle support which supposedly ures the problem but i can assure you it does not


go either with the BMW hitch or the dalan hitch with the BMW electronics, and you'll be fine. you'll save over $300-400 with the dalan hitch and sacrifice nothing