Towbar installation

[Frank3188]

Hi all
Brilliant forum by the way
I’m based in Peterborough England and want to install a tow bar on my e53 it’s never had one fitted before so I wanna know:
What one is best
How to install one?
And my main worry the wiring up properly?
I kind of have an idea on how to install one but the wiring is beyond me
Thanks for any help
Frank

[wpoll]

Can't help much with which one to get as they vary from country to country, since BMW never made them but local BMW offices commissioned local manufacturers in each market to do so. The fitting instruction will then depend on what you get...

What doesn't change is the wiring - or at least shouldn't change. The car is pre-wired for trailer wiring but requires a trailer lighting module to be fitted, along with a trailer wiring loom (plug and play). Both items are hard to get; the module shows up on eBay occasionally but the loom less often....

The module is important since it provides the interface to the lighting system - don't be tempted to just tap into existing tail light wiring like the days of old - it messes up the cars lighting system, with issues like lamp failure warnings and damaged LCMs etc.

The trailer module also does two other important tasks. It disables the rear parking sensors when a trailer is connected (handy ...and quieter!) and it alters the ABS programming to invokes a trailer/towing stability mode when a trailer is connected. Safety first!

[Effduration]

Westfalia made OEM hitches for the E53. I believe they made one hitch for the US and one for Europe. I do see the European hitch on Euro Ebay sites occasionally. This is the hitch to get. All the other hitches cut corners here and there and result in lower towing capacities. Some may actual damage the vehicle. I recommend OEM only for a hitch.

There is a OEM hitch DIY on-line, have a search.

As noted above, you should not attempt to wire in a generic tow harness into the tail lights. This will likely end in big problems. Find the OEM tow module and tow harness (loom).

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Effduration

.... All the other hitches cut corners here and there and result in lower towing capacities. Some may actual damage the vehicle. I recommend OEM only for a hitch.

Not quite true - my OEM hitch was not made by Westfalia - BMW NZ commissioned a local manufacture to produce the OEM hitch here. Basic design and mounting is identical to the OEM unit made by Westfalia - presumably because BMW shared the design specs with multiple manufacturers.

On the BMW NZ OEM unit, the hitch receiver design differs from what is in the USA, to meet local laws here, as does the trailer connector.

I have no idea what BMW UK did - quite possibly they imported the OEM unit made by Westfalia...

[Frank3188]

Ok so the lighting module is the little white box with Siemens written on it?
And the wiring loom is what goes from the lighting module to the tow bar?
Thanks for yah peeps

[Effduration]

Originally Posted by Frank3188

Ok so the lighting module is the little white box with Siemens written on it?
And the wiring loom is what goes from the lighting module to the tow bar?
Thanks for yah peeps

On the US model, the wiring loom goes from plug on tow bar to an empty factory plug inside the rear of the car near the right side tail-light. The tow module plugs into a separate empty plug on the outside of the battery cover.

Here is an OEM UK hitch on sale at Ebay..it includes wiring loom and module.
doesn't seem too pricey to me:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-X5-Seri...sAAOSwUDZcoezk

Originally Posted by wpoll

Not quite true - my OEM hitch was not made by Westfalia - BMW NZ commissioned a local manufacture to produce the OEM hitch here. Basic design and mounting is identical to the OEM unit made by Westfalia - presumably because BMW shared the design specs with multiple manufacturers.

On the BMW NZ OEM unit, the hitch receiver design differs from what is in the USA, to meet local laws here, as does the trailer connector.

I have no idea what BMW UK did - quite possibly they imported the OEM unit made by Westfalia...

Thanks for clarifying this..I was unaware of the NZ OEM hitch.

[Frank3188]

I’ve just found this one 143593828544 that’s the eBay item number
Are the Siemens lighting module all the same? Even on the e39 and e46 models?
This one here 273198979581 is for an e39? Another eBay number
Thanks again for the help

[Frank3188]

Also this one is good and cheaper what u reckon?
303481511116

[Effduration]

Originally Posted by Frank3188

Also this one is good and cheaper what u reckon?
303481511116

I think that will work.

[Effduration]

Originally Posted by Frank3188

I’ve just found this one 143593828544 that’s the eBay item number
Are the Siemens lighting module all the same? Even on the e39 and e46 models?
This one here 273198979581 is for an e39? Another eBay number
Thanks again for the help

I am not as familiar with the UK or Euro hitch. In the US, it came with several pieces including a new (long) bumper support that replaced the stock support. Before you buy a hitch on Ebay make sure it has what you need. I suggest you research this.