Trailer Hitch and Light Harness Install

[aldo1123]

Does anybody know anything about installing a trailer hitch and light harness on the X5. I called UHaul and the guy told me he could do it for $350 parts and labor. I called another company and the guy told me he would install the hitch but wouldn't deal with the light harness and that I would have to go through BMW. He said he has had nothing but trouble trying to install the light harness on X5's.

Thanks.

[TerminatorX5]

this has been covered many-many times. the install is a very involved process that is covered in the "HOW-TO" section - look at the top of the page, find the how-to section, choose the X5 tips and trick, search on that page for the trailer installation - a lot of pictures, part numbers, guidance...

I'd like to reiterate - unless you are going to use the trailer hitch as a decorative visual device to underscore the masculinity of the car, you should ONLY use the Original Factory device and nothing else. The parts come to about $400-500 from a dealer, labor can be yours or dealer can do it for another $300-500.

Again, not a U-Haul, no Draw-Tite nothing - only the factory set up...

once you see the parts list, you will understand why...

[upallnight]

Check out these videos on installing a trailer hitch.

Hitch installation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEraR5BJ4BM

Trailer light installation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3fLMwNfE4U

I used them when I had an Audi Avant and needed a trailer hitch to tow, my jet boat and jet ski. Never had any problems with the hitch and wiring that I brought from them.

I was lucky (?) when I brought my X5. A factory hitch was already installed and the wiring was also included.

[aldo1123]

Thank you both for your opinions and advice. The guy at Uhaul said he's done X5's before and never had issues. Terminator, what are the reasons why aftermarket parts won't work well? Do they cause issues down the road or is it a quality thing?

[TerminatorX5]

aldo, a car is a car, a trailer hitch is a trailer hitch...

however, you bought not just any car but a BMW... the bavarian engineers are well known overengineering some of its macinery (and underengineering some others)...

take a look at this link to see parts included and take a look at what your Uhaul guy is selling... Home Page > Search > Bmw Hitch > ES#185392 Trailer Hitch Kit - 71600009711

imagine, you have the strongest truck, strongest hitch and you are pulling a 6000 lbs trailer... and you are using a wooden stick for a pin... how far will you tow the load? not far... the non-factory kits do not mount to designed spots, they screw to sheet metal or drill a hole in rear carrier and hook up to it...

this is your car, this is your call... check out options, make your own decision

[srmmmm]

I agree with Terminator 100%. I purchased the OEM hitch and wiring harness ($450 in 2006) for my '02 X5 and did the installation myself following instructions and photos available online. The entire job took about five hours at a comfortable pace, and less than a six-pack for anxiety relief when I thought about removing the bumper cover. The OEM hitch bolts up perfectly to the frame rails and includes substantial reinforcement to make up for the normal bumper shock absorbing components that get removed. In addition, having the OEM wiring harness is the only thing I would ever consider using given the sophistication (over-engineering) of the X5's electrical system. As it is, the LED taillights on my trailer confuse the body computer because it expects to see a higher amperage draw when they are on. So at times, it thinks the trailer lights are burned out and will put the turn signals into "rapid flash" mode.

Stick with factory on this and you'll feel a lot more comfortable no matter what you tow.

2002 X5 3.0 237,000 miles
2004 325i 106,000 miles

[TerminatorX5]

srmmm, you may consider adding some resistors to the trailer adapter - i need to take my adapter apart and take some pictures - that should eliminate the false alarms on the light bulbs...