Curt Hitch Installation Tips and Pictures

[bimmerFanatic]

I’ve been thinking of installing a hitch for my bikes for a long time and pretty much all the threads advocated going with the OEM hitch and lighting connectors. Since this was really only for my bikes and carrying sod on a tiny 4x6 open trailer, I went with a Curt hitch instead. I got it for $142 shipped from http://www.truckxpressions.com/ . It took me an entire day to do this job (I’m NOT technically inclined) and I couldn’t have done it without the hitch installation guides from the x5world front page. Here are points I’d like to add.

• Get the OEM hitch if you will be doing any type of medium or serious towing. The Curt hitch is very strong but there is no way it attaches to the body of the car as reliably as the OEM hitch.
• If you go with the Curt hitch, I recommend you get new Bumper Brackets (Those T shaped things that stick out and hold the bumper). The ones in my ’04 model has fixed screws that don’t come out so I couldn’t use all the reinforced bolts that came with the Curt hitch. You will not be able to tow anything serious unless you reinforce those!!!
• Da’lan (or Dalan) was acquired by Curt so they are the same model.
• You can remove the bumper by yourself. I only needed help to put it back on.
• Lower the rubber hanger if you can’t reach the T55 screws. There are several posts on how to do that.

I’m very happy with the Curt hitch but I will not be doing any serious towing. Here are some pics.

[Rcase]

Thanks for the write up.

Sealed the deal for me, as I will only be towing my 15lb tri bike

[JayX5]

Nice write up! Nice deal for less than $150.

[Rcase]

After just finishing my curt install last night I have two definite take aways -

1. There is absolutely no way I would ever pull anything heavy with the way this hitch is attached.

2. People that reccomend the OEM hitch those using the hitch for a bike rack have too much money on their hands. This is 500% stronger than what is needed for my Thule Rack - and 17lb Triathlon Bike -


Very very easy install. Completed in under 2 hours with a friend, and had time to make plenty of white russians during the process. -

Highly reccomended for bike users-

[tonytsai0429]

Hi, I'm in desperate need of your help, as you mentioned in your thread, you have installed a CURT hitch, coincidentally, I've purchase the same. I'm wondering how to remove those three bolts as pictured. Your help and advice is greatly appreciate it.

[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

[JCL]

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

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.

[tavo80816]

I found some paperwork in the glove box (old receipts) and one was talking about a hitch and towing capacity was rated at 6000lbs.

Anyone heard of this Reese TowPower?

[Weasel]

If that is the one that has the big plate that bolts to the rear floor pan and has a drop-bar that shoots to the front to brace it against the subframe it was simply the absolute worst tow hitch design ever conceived and has caused lots of damage to many X5's. (and yes, I've seen this in person)

Can you snap a couple more pics from underneath and try to capture how it mounds to the vehicle?

[JCL]

Reese are still listing an 'updated' hitch for the X5. They bolted the original one to the rear pan. Look in post #1, second picture. You can see painted bodywork above the Curt hitch. That is what they attached it to. The Curt hitch is using the bolts from the bumper shock absorbers, but without the internal strengthening. The later Reese hitch added the fore-aft tie bar to stop the hitch twisting off. The strut attached to the bodywork up near the differential.

Photo below.

I wouldn't tow anything substantial with that hitch. It is a 6000 lb hitch attached the same way a 1000 lb hitch would be attached.