ADDING A TOW HITCH

jdstrickland · #1 02-27-2016, 01:31 PM

I'm looking at adding a hitch to my X5. It appears that I remove a cross member from the back of the car and replace it with a new one that has the receiver welded on. Is that correct?

Remove bumper cover.
Remove support.
Install tow hitch.
Reinstall bumper cover.

I looked under my X5 and there is no obvious place to bolt on the tow hitch, and the photo of the hitch looks like it might actually be the part I was looking at on my car.

It looks like I will take Item 14 off and replacing it with the factory tow hitch. RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

dkl · #2 02-27-2016, 01:44 PM

If you're referring to installing an aftermarket tow hitch, then YES - Item 14 gets replaced with the tow hitch

jdstrickland · #3 02-27-2016, 01:53 PM

I'm actually planning to install the factory tow hitch. I think I found one on Craig's List. The goal is to get a bike carrier to take my beach cruisers to -- wait for it -- the beach.

I was looking to bolt the hitch directly to something that's already there, but now I think I have to take something off and mount the hitch in its place. I was hoping for confirmation that I see this properly.

X53Jay4.8is · #4 02-27-2016, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

I'm actually planning to install the factory tow hitch. I think I found one on Craig's List. The goal is to get a bike carrier to take my beach cruisers to -- wait for it -- the beach.

I was looking to bolt the hitch directly to something that's already there, but now I think I have to take something off and mount the hitch in its place. I was hoping for confirmation that I see this properly.

The hitch bolts through the unibody of the x5. You have to remove the bumper mounts that mount through the frame and replace them with hitch mounts. Those hitch mounts will bolt directly through the unibody frame. You need to look up OEM hitch threads that will show you all the components that are in that hitch kit.

Scott ZHP · #5 02-27-2016, 02:19 PM

The OEM Westfalia tow hitch is like a unicorn. If you found one, and it's complete, BUY it.

PropellerHead · #6 02-27-2016, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

The OEM Westfalia tow hitch is like a unicorn. If you found one, and it's complete, BUY it.

+1

It sounds to me like you've got someone who will sell you the hitch receiver only. That's about 25% of what is needed to install the complete kit.

jdstrickland · #7 02-27-2016, 09:27 PM

My Craigslist seller listed his hitch in January, and has not replied to email, text, or voice mail.

The hitch has a wiring harness attached, I assume this to plug into my car without any trouble.

The main goal for me is to carry a couple of bikes, but since it is a Class III hitch, there's always a chance that somebody will expect it to hold a trailer, so the wires need to work.

X53Jay4.8is · #8 02-27-2016, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

My Craigslist seller listed his hitch in January, and has not replied to email, text, or voice mail.

The hitch has a wiring harness attached, I assume this to plug into my car without any trouble.

The main goal for me is to carry a couple of bikes, but since it is a Class III hitch, there's always a chance that somebody will expect it to hold a trailer, so the wires need to work.

Come on you need to move on and find a new source of hitch. A craigslist seller that has not responded to your inquiry from January??? At a minimum that is almost over 30 days ago. I found my hitch through an auto dismantler that advertised the vehicle on line, I looked it over noticed the OE hitch and then called and made an offer. $350 later it was at my doorstep. You are going to have to did far and deep to find the OE hitch but well worth the process.

jdstrickland · #9 02-28-2016, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

Come on you need to move on and find a new source of hitch. A craigslist seller that has not responded to your inquiry from January??? At a minimum that is almost over 30 days ago. I found my hitch through an auto dismantler that advertised the vehicle on line, I looked it over noticed the OE hitch and then called and made an offer. $350 later it was at my doorstep. You are going to have to did far and deep to find the OE hitch but well worth the process.

The LISTING is January, I just found on Friday. He's had Friday and Saturday to respond to me, now Sunday is here.

X53Jay4.8is · #10 02-28-2016, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

The LISTING is January, I just found on Friday. He's had Friday and Saturday to respond to me, now Sunday is here.

"My Craigslist seller listed his hitch in January, and has not replied to email, text, or voice mail. "

Okay from your original post it sounds like you have been waiting since January ? Sorry that I read into this wrong. Now that you mention that you sent him a inquiry on Friday and have not heard from him well just wait and see. It being over 30 days since the initial listing and you have not gotten a response over the weekend, chances are its no longer available. Anyway he has got your inquiry and will choose to respond to you one way or another.