this has been covered many-many times. the install is a very involved process that is covered in the "HOW-TO" section - look at the top of the page, find the how-to section, choose the X5 tips and trick, search on that page for the trailer installation - a lot of pictures, part numbers, guidance...

I'd like to reiterate - unless you are going to use the trailer hitch as a decorative visual device to underscore the masculinity of the car, you should ONLY use the Original Factory device and nothing else. The parts come to about $400-500 from a dealer, labor can be yours or dealer can do it for another $300-500.

Again, not a U-Haul, no Draw-Tite nothing - only the factory set up...

once you see the parts list, you will understand why...