Is there special cover for the X5 with hitch installed?

[cooluserid]

I installed hitch today and was surprised how much hardware came out. Instructions on the home page helped to do it in just four hours.

I was concerned about carrying with me extra weight with me all the time after getting the hitch box.

Did not find any use for the “required” torx T20.

Small snap on cover in the middle of the bumper will be missed the most. Is there a special one for the hitch installed.

[JCAPX5]

I don't think there is a special snap-in cover for the rear bumper after you install the hitch. Most people trim it themselves if you want a tighter fit. ECS has the covers for sale for $20 if you mess up!!!

Good luck!

[X5 Meister]

Glad you did it successfully. Which instructions mentioned the requred T20 that you didn't use and was there just 1 or more?

It's too bad that no one has weighed the entire hitch setup before installing it and also weighed the stuff that comes off the stock X5, would be interesting to know the weight differential.

Other than the BMW "Trailer hitch cover" which is really just an end cap I don't believe there is any OE BMW cover.

Originally Posted by cooluserid

I installed hitch today and was surprised how much hardware came out. Instructions on the home page helped to do it in just four hours.

I was concerned about carrying with me extra weight with me all the time after getting the hitch box.

Did not find any use for the “required” torx T20.

Small snap on cover in the middle of the bumper will be missed the most. Is there a special one for the hitch installed.

[cooluserid]

The weight of the removed stuff (primarily bumper insert) is 60lbs. Fedex shipping weight for the new OEM hitch (including packaging) was 104lbs.

Can anyone tell why we need to get 12V brake signal for brake controller from the light control module and not from the output of the tow hitch module?

[X5 Meister]

So about 40 extra pounds, that's not as bad as I thought it would be!

Ask weasel your question, I bet he'll know.

Originally Posted by cooluserid

The weight of the removed stuff (primarily bumper insert) is 60lbs. Fedex shipping weight for the new OEM hitch (including packaging) was 104lbs.

Can anyone tell why we need to get 12V brake signal for brake controller from the light control module and not from the output of the tow hitch module?

[X5 Meister]

That's actually a great idea!

Originally Posted by JCAPX5

I don't think there is a special snap-in cover for the rear bumper after you install the hitch. Most people trim it themselves if you want a tighter fit. ECS has the covers for sale for $20 if you mess up!!!

Good luck!

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

That's actually a great idea!

Yea I almost bought all the hitch components piece-by-piece from ECS and noticed the extra trim pieces for $20. Nice insurance for a little trial and error!

Great news I finally got the OEM KIT from Bloomfield earlier today. They have a few left and offer a great price if you can go there and pick it up and use CCA discount.

So what would you say is the hardest part of the DIY Hitch and Wiring install?

[cooluserid]

I have 2006 4.4i. No real issues. I did not find connector inside the cargo for parking sensors and disconnected cable at each of the four sensors. Torx T50 is not listed in the required tools list but was needed to remove original bumper. (others listed T45). Trailer brake controller is next...

[redvault]

As an aside question about hitch (we called them towbars here), I had the removable ball (RealOEM described it as such ) taken out - does this fit/slot into any of the plastic compartments around the spare wheel? Mind you, this thing is so heavy that it nearly knock my toe off when I took it off!!

[X5 Meister]

Does it look like the euro one or is it different?