BMW X5 E53 DIY OEM Hitch Installation Notes and factory installation PDF

[admranger]

Suspension will be fine. I've run a UHaul box trailer and loaded less than a car weight, but it wasn't light (my back let me know from the pain of loading/unloading it…). Surge brakes were fine, but you need to give yourself extra room (what do your brake pads look like?).

Also, grab an 18" pipe wrench and use it to torque down the knob that holds the ball on to the hitch ball. Hand tightening just doesn't keep it secure over the long haul -- it'll loosen up on you!

Remember to cross the safety chains in an "X" pattern. Double check that all the lights work. Check tire pressures on the trailer (and the X -- see door for high load pressures).

Have a safe tow!

[JCL]

Agree with admranger, if you go carefully and methodically, you will be fine.

Air suspension does nothing for balancing the load across other axles, and maintaining sufficient axle weight on the front axle to not impact the steering.

What it does is lift up the rear so the vehicle is level. Makes it look correct. Keeps the headlights pointing in generally the right direction. But the vehicle is still carrying a heavy load some distance behind the rear axle, and that doesn't help vehicle handling. The good news is that the X5 handles very well to start with, so it tends to tolerate this load bias better than some other vehicles.

You need around 10 or 12 % tongue weight for proper trailer stability. More than that will just pull down the rear of the X5 more. Less will contribute to trailer sway. With a trailer and tongue load kept within the X5 specs, it will be fine.

[AquilaBMW]

Thanks guys! The information is much appreciated. The brakes and rotors are brand new, just installed them about a week ago - Zimmerman coated rotors and Akebono pads.

The X tires are running about 40F - 42R at the moment. Any suggestions on what the trailer psi should be?

Again, thanks very much.

[JCL]

U Haul trailers have the tire pressure on a label on the fender, in my experience.

That's a lot of pressure in the vehicle tires. Never ran them anywhere near that, even when fully loaded or towing.

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by JCL

U Haul trailers have the tire pressure on a label on the fender, in my experience.

That's a lot of pressure in the vehicle tires. Never ran them anywhere near that, even when fully loaded or towing.

I will re-check them. That might be contributing to my bumpy stiff ride! LOL!

[e30cabrio]

Originally Posted by AquilaBMW

Try this link: Trailer Accessories | BMW X5 E53 X5 4.4i M62 USA

These are covered....

Ordered #1 & 3 trailer light harnesses from GetBMWparts & got the trailer control module # 61356955253 from eBay for 45.

Looking for the frame stiffening parts used, have a line on most of them.

[e30cabrio]

Originally Posted by e30cabrio

Ordered #1 & 3 trailer light harnesses from GetBMWparts & got the trailer control module # 61356955253 from eBay for 45.

Looking for the frame stiffening parts used, have a line on most of them.

These just came. #1 will go in the circular receptacle, #3 is just the receptacle, no cable. I still need the cable from inside the wheel well to the receptacle.

[e30cabrio]

Module came. I wondered why they cut the harness, now I know. PITA to get off.

Do I need to pull the battery before I hook it up?

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by e30cabrio

Module came. I wondered why they cut the harness, now I know. PITA to get off.

Do I need to pull the battery before I hook it up?

I would play it safe - pull or disconnect the battery. You need to get down in that area anyway.

[AquilaBMW]

I installed my hitch kit yesterday - LIKE WOW! This is not a job for the faint hearted.

It took me almost seven hours when it was all said and done and I still messed up a little. I mounted the bumper (by myself) and then realized as I was packing up my tools that there was an unsightly fender gap - ugh! Bumper gotta come off again.

I really, really want to thank the guys that posted the DIY's. DO NOT attempt this without reading them and you should print them and have them with you or have immediate access to them. I can see why BWM dealers charge so much to install these things.

On a level of difficulty, I would put it at around 7 out of 10 - mainly because of how involved this job is. You also have to stay focused as you might miss things like torquing down bolts, etc. (Ask me how I know... )

I am happy with the kit, it is sturdy and well built with the typical BMW redundancies which I am sure adds to it's ability and safety, etc. I did most of it pretty much by myself - I am typically a one man army. However, I did get help to mount up the hitch itself. Thing is as heavy as a tank!

I found something interesting. The hitch's label says Westfalia American Hitch. That company is or was located in South Carolina. I say was as their number is now answered by a different company name:

Westfalia American Hitch, Inc
161 Rock Church Road Se
Greenwood
SC 29649-8775
Phone: (864) 223-5519

I was going to call them to ask if customers can buy direct from them and if they still made this hitch kit as BMW was out of stock. I can see how the stock is intermittent as BMW is using outsource manufacturers for this.

There is also another Westfalia in New Zealand that is making hitches for BMW.

Anyway.... thanks so much again guys for posting your DIYs and also that BMW PDF was very, very helpful.