Curt Hitch Installation Tips and Pictures

[Weasel]

Yeah JCL, that's the exact one I've personally seen tear the rear floor pan by towing a boat. (only like an 18' fishing boat, well under 2000lbs including trailer) The hitch was pointing at the ground when it rolled in the shop, and that's WITH the fore/aft brace. That's the hitch that had horror stories all over online about it twisting down and doing body damage from simple bicycle carriers or cargo carriers. I can't really think of anything I'd do with that hitch other than a hitch cover.

[tavo80816]

So should I replace it with an OEM hitch then if I ever plan on towing anything?

how much are the OEM hitches?

[tavo80816]

These are the install instructions for the hitch that was stapled to the receipt.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by tavo80816

So should I replace it with an OEM hitch then if I ever plan on towing anything?

how much are the OEM hitches?

That is what I would do. How heavy is your trailer? Under 1000 lbs, I would leave it. Bike racks and cargo racks can bend the hitch, unless it is a really light bike rack.

OE hitch is around $500 including the trailer wiring harness. Installation extra, and some dealers charge a lot for install. I installed a few of them myself, not hard if you are familiar with working on your vehicle and basic hand tools. Lots of DIY instructions posted here. If you don't want to do it yourself, get an independent garage to install it, the instructions are included in the kit.

[tavo80816]

Good to know. And yes, I am good with tools and DIYs. I have taken apart the M62 on my E38 for a couple years now. The reason why I bought the X5 was because it has the same engine as my 740, lol. For now I am just gonna keep my eyes opened for some deals on used OEM hitches on ebay or craigslist.

btw, in case i find a used oem hitch, is there anyways to verify its oem? part # engraved?

[Weasel]

Someone on this site just posted that he is selling his X5 and considering selling his OEM hitch before sale... he's in Chicago if I remember right. Look for the thread "how much is my OEM hitch worth" (or something close to that) from the last few days.

[Puddlejumper]

Originally Posted by 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.

Sorry man looks like your question got swept. Go search for 2002 X5 Curt or Dalan Hitch Install

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by 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.

Anyone have any pics of this hitch after a failure? I have used the Reese hitch to haul a 6,500 lb trailer between FL and TX (1100 miles) with NO issues. Even running at over 85 mph on the bumpy and pothole strewn LA highways it has held up just fine.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

Anyone have any pics of this hitch after a failure? I have used the Reese hitch to haul a 6,500 lb trailer between FL and TX (1100 miles) with NO issues. Even running at over 85 mph on the bumpy and pothole strewn LA highways it has held up just fine.

I used to, but not anymore. The failures that I had pictures of were in the 2001-2002 time frame. My E53 is long gone now, and the forums involved have all archived their older posts. I did recount some of the history in this thread, and provided links, from posts 13 onwards:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ng-action.html

Also, Weasel is a BMW dealer technician, and has recounted that he has worked on vehicles with damage from this hitch. I trust him.

Is your Reese hitch attached to the sheet metal between the bumper struts, or to the same bolts as the bumper struts use? All of these hitch makers seem to remarket very similar designs, so yours could be different than the current Reese catalogue picture.

Towing speed is not the issue IMO. Tongue weight, or the use of any bike racks/load carriers/etc that apply a bending moment to the hitch receiver is the issue. Weasel's example was a 2000 lb boat (including trailer).

[TiAgX5]

My hitch is the one in your #10 post image.