Towing with the X5 - Page 4

JCL · #31 01-20-2012, 12:36 AM

To see the difference in vehicle mounting with OE and aftermarket hitches, look at the BMW instructions here: http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/e5...iler_hitch.pdf

Look at section 2.3 to see the reinforcements BMW uses. Some hitches just bolt to the rear pan. Others attach at the same point as the OE hitch but don't use any reinforcements. The reinforcements tie into the longitudinal box sections in the unibody and are cross bolted in three planes.

The instructions show the Euro hitch but the mounting is identical

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Ghost-Flame · #32 01-22-2012, 09:47 AM

After reading the pdf above, I have to concead that the oem installation looks like a better design. You can see by the photos below that the third point on the draw tite transfers the towing force to the frame member that holds the rear wheel suspension (I guess its the axle).

While this design creates a strong and probably fail proof towing connection it may not give you the torsion support needed. It is attached to the car underneath the bumper (not visible) which might handle all the torsion support you need. Since I didn't install it, and I'm not removing the tupper-wear to see it, I don't know how much beef is there in those two contact points. If I were to to it again I would buy the hitch from BMW and install it my self.

Side Note: when I got this hitch, My wife and I made an impromtu trip to Key West with my Motorcycle trailered. I needed the hitch right now! the only place that could take me that quick was a trailer dealer that I have been dealing with for 20 yrs. He put me first in the que and installed it the next day. So my decision was somewhat of an impulse with little research

Blade69 · #33 01-25-2012, 01:45 AM

Geez...$430 bucks? I guess that's not a lot considering you'll be towing cars. I'll only be towing 2-3 motorcycles so I think I'll be good with the aftermarket. but after seeing how ugly it sticks out like that, I may opt for OEM as I like a clean look. Had a Hidden Hitch on my Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L Hemi and I forgot I had bikes back there most of the time.

However my question is this. With my Jeep, there was a "TOW/HAUL" button which pretty much locked the trans into 4th gear to keep it from fishing around between 4th and 5th. I noticed my X5 4.8is doesn't have such a button. Should I manually shift over and put in a lower gear? I'll be towing the bikes for approximately 900 miles. Should I get my trans fluid changed beforehand also?

JCL · #34 01-25-2012, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade69

Geez...$430 bucks? I guess that's not a lot considering you'll be towing cars. I'll only be towing 2-3 motorcycles so I think I'll be good with the aftermarket. but after seeing how ugly it sticks out like that, I may opt for OEM as I like a clean look. Had a Hidden Hitch on my Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L Hemi and I forgot I had bikes back there most of the time.

However my question is this. With my Jeep, there was a "TOW/HAUL" button which pretty much locked the trans into 4th gear to keep it from fishing around between 4th and 5th. I noticed my X5 4.8is doesn't have such a button. Should I manually shift over and put in a lower gear? I'll be towing the bikes for approximately 900 miles. Should I get my trans fluid changed beforehand also?

Get the OE hitch. It includes the electrics. You won't regret it.

While you don't have a 5th gear lockout, you do have Steptronic. Leave it in automatic, not sport mode. Determine if the vehicle is hunting for gears on a hill when towing. Unlikely, but watch the tach. If it does, shift into manual mode to stop it hunting. Don't go into a lower gear than you have to. With a 4.8 and only towing bikes, it is unlikely that will have to worry about it at all. The main thing is to prevent unnecessary shifts, and to keep the torque converter in lock-up mode. Those two things keep the heat down. No need to change your trans fluid before towing.

TiAgX5 · #35 01-25-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost-Flame

I see you use yours as a jacking point too!

Ghost-Flame · #36 01-25-2012, 01:06 PM

Yes it is a perfect jacking point. It is dead center, it distributes the weight to the frame and lifts the car evenly on both sides so I can fit the jack stands under the rear corners.

TiAgX5 · #37 01-25-2012, 01:13 PM

Easier to get at too! I've been jacking my X the same way.

LeftCoastErik · #38 01-25-2012, 01:29 PM

ECS, does that kit work on the e70 also?

JCL · #39 01-25-2012, 04:31 PM

Ghost, TiAg:

If you could get right under the hitch attachment bolts (at the rear pan) then the OE hitch is rated for a 600 lb vertical load. This hitch would be similar in capacity, as it is loading the rear attachment point in shear, with no bending moment.

But bring the trolley jack back towards the middle of that aftermarket hitch strut, and you introduce bending forces. Also, the rear of the X5 weighs a bit more than 600 lbs. Quite a bit, in fact.

Not that I'd recommend it, but you could just as easily lift on any part of the sheetmetal underneath the vehicle, it would have the same strength.

I'd say it is a terrible jacking point, for those reasons.

ECS Tuning · #40 01-25-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoastErik

ECS, does that kit work on the e70 also?

The hitch kit found HERE is the one for the E70. Now in my notes I'm seeing that if you have the M Aero bumpers the kit will have fitment issues, or you'll have to do some serious cutting to your bumper.

ECS Tuning

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