Trailer Hitch - OEM Tounge & Ball

[chefwong]

Is the OEM T&B worth the 50 minuse - 25% ?

Doing a trailer hitch install & I won't be pulling anything for now.
In 2-3 months I plan to start remodeling the kitchen and will be renting the U-Haul on a usual basis.

[Intel55]

Originally Posted by chefwong

Is the OEM T&B worth the 50 minuse - 25% ?

Doing a trailer hitch install & I won't be pulling anything for now.
In 2-3 months I plan to start remodeling the kitchen and will be renting the U-Haul on a usual basis.

No. I saw them at Uhaul for $25 and at Mejier for $20. Same things.

[JCL]

Agree completely that there are lots of perfectly good options for the tongue other than the OEM part (which I have on mine). However, watch out for two issues:

1) It has to fit properly. If not, it will rattle. My OEM one fits. I have had cheap ones that didn't. Not all cheap ones are like that, but it should be a decent fit unless you want to hear it all the time.

2) There is a specification from BMW for maximum drop and maximum extension. Too close, you mark up the bumper. Too far, it is less stable. Too low, it puts more torque on the drawbar than it was designed for. The drawing with the measurements is in the install instructions. Follow that, as that is what the hitch was designed for. Tongues come in lots of different drops and extensions. An aftermarket one should be within the BMW specs.