Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW Related Forums > Parts and Accessories Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-13-2013, 03:05 PM
wagner.a.charles's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 39
wagner.a.charles is on a distinguished road
Question Trailer Hitch DIY

Hey there! I am brand new and this is my frist post. I have recently purchased a 2003 X5 3.0. I was wondering if anyone has ever put on their own trailer hitch? The dealership wants to charge $495 and that's before labor. Here is what they told me after I told them I had extensive knowledge of welding: It doesn't weld. They have to remove the old cross member. The hitch is actually made to a new cross member. plus the vehicle has to be programed so the brake system and transmission will know if its under a load or not. If need be, i can forward your message to a service advisor, and they can inform you more on the hitch system it self.

Also, the dealer said that the wiring kit is NOT sold separately so if this is the case, am I chasing a dead end here?

Is this something that I should just leave to the pros or should I try to tackle it myself? Seeing as it's got nothing to do with the engine, I'm feeling a little braver than usual when it comes to they DIY route

I have pictures of where the hitch would go, but it's not letting me upload them. But I'm sure y'all pros know what it looks like .


Thanks in advance,
Charles
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 03-13-2013, 03:59 PM
Ricky Bobby's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 9,344
Ricky Bobby will become famous soon enough
If you have the tools its definnitely DIY - able, I don't think its that hard of an install from what I've seen. The wiring kit comes with the kit or you could buy it separately, but if I was going to put a hitch on my X, I would use the OE hitch and install it all at once.

I never read about having your truck coded afterwards, but I could be wrong.
__________________
2018 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 68RFE
19k miles -Bright White/Black - Big Horn Sport - Crew Cab Short Bed
2013 X5 35D (CEO's) - Born on 5/17/2013 -
82k miles - Alpine White/Cinnamon Brown/Premium Pkg, Sport Activity/Premium Pkg and Sound/20" Style 214/Running Boards

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-13-2013, 04:03 PM
wagner.a.charles's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 39
wagner.a.charles is on a distinguished road
I was just reading about it in the FAQ section. Looks pretty in depth but do-able with patience. I'd put the link to the article I'm talking about, but I'm not sure how :/

Maybe here - http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...tion-tips.html
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-13-2013, 05:12 PM
dykstra's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 92
dykstra is on a distinguished road
Trailer Hitch Wiring Kit Fits 00 06 BMW X5 | eBay


Charles, I don't know if these hitches are any good but I thought the price was right.
__________________
You can always retake a class, but you can never relive a party!



2021 X5 M50i
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-13-2013, 05:18 PM
TerminatorX5's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Stafford, VA & Harrisburg, PA - USA
Posts: 5,736
TerminatorX5 is on a distinguished road
it has been covered many times - only OE hitch kits... either done yourself or by the dealer... about a $1000 installed from a dealer... or, install yourself, but still, only OE... buy the whole kit, the ECS has it... no welding involved
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-13-2013, 10:21 PM
Ricky Bobby's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 9,344
Ricky Bobby will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by TerminatorX5 View Post
it has been covered many times - only OE hitch kits... either done yourself or by the dealer... about a $1000 installed from a dealer... or, install yourself, but still, only OE... buy the whole kit, the ECS has it... no welding involved

this man speaks the truth!
__________________
2018 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 68RFE
19k miles -Bright White/Black - Big Horn Sport - Crew Cab Short Bed
2013 X5 35D (CEO's) - Born on 5/17/2013 -
82k miles - Alpine White/Cinnamon Brown/Premium Pkg, Sport Activity/Premium Pkg and Sound/20" Style 214/Running Boards

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-14-2013, 07:49 AM
wagner.a.charles's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 39
wagner.a.charles is on a distinguished road
Yep, I apologize, I found a couple articles shortly after posting the question. Navigating this forum takes some getting used to..it's a wealth of information haha. Thanks for the advice guys.
__________________
Just surfing life's waves one breaker at a time.
2003 X5 3.0i Blue Exterior Black Interior
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-14-2013, 12:52 PM
kungpao's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North East USA
Posts: 109
kungpao is on a distinguished road
mine required a computer update when i had it factory installed at delivery. I'm guessing for things like the backup sensors being turned off when the trailer is plugged in, or the hitch zoom function on the backup camera. Not sure what else the update does but those two I can attest to.
__________________
-kp!
2009 X5 35D
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-14-2013, 12:54 PM
wagner.a.charles's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 39
wagner.a.charles is on a distinguished road
Well in that case, I'll be good to go. I don't have any of those options!
__________________
Just surfing life's waves one breaker at a time.
2003 X5 3.0i Blue Exterior Black Interior
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-14-2013, 12:56 PM
TerminatorX5's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Stafford, VA & Harrisburg, PA - USA
Posts: 5,736
TerminatorX5 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by kungpao View Post
mine required a computer update when i had it factory installed at delivery. I'm guessing for things like the backup sensors being turned off when the trailer is plugged in, or the hitch zoom function on the backup camera. Not sure what else the update does but those two I can attest to.

programming applies to E70.
E53 doesn't need any coding, LCM recognizes the trailer module, as TM is an extension of the LCM
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
diy, hitch, hitch installation, parts

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:49 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.