Quote:
Originally Posted by tavo80816
how do I find out if the hitch on my recently purchased x5 is oem or not? If it is OEM, how much can I safely tow? thanks
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OE hitches were typically made by Westfalia (although there were reportedly other suppliers as well). A Westfalia label would be conclusive.
You can try and determine from the hitch crossmember structure, and compare it to pictures on this site.
You could take some pictures of it and post it, we may be able to help.
With the OE hitch, the E53 X5 was rated to tow 6000 lbs, except for the 3.0 models with automatic transmision from 2001 through 2003, which were rated for 5000 lbs due to the transmission. Those ratings require that you have trailer brakes installed for any trailer over 1600 lbs. Note that the hitch may say 6000 lbs on it, but that may be more than the vehicle rating. A 6000 lb hitch on a vehicle rated for 5000 lbs is not recommended to tow more than 5000 lbs.
If you do not have an OE hitch, it is less clear. Hitches are often rated for 3500 or 6000 lbs, but it comes down to the attachment to the rear pan of the vehicle, and not to the strength of the hitch receiver itself. If I had a non OE hitch, and wanted to tow anything over 1500 lbs, or use a bike or cargo rack that applied a bending moment, I would replace it.
03-17-2011, 01:28 PM
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