Thinking about getting an aftermarket hitch...

[ukrcan]

It looks like a consensus on the forum to run an OEM hitch on our cars to allow for towing big and heavy trailers.
Considering that it is next to impossible to find an OEM hitch these days and my plan to only pull a trailer with a inflatable fishing boat, i am starting to consider getting just an aftermarket hitch. I don't do now or every will be doing any camping with my truck, the only purpose would be to tow a small fishing boat(whenever i buy one).
Do you guys think i will have any issues with using just an aftermarket hitch?
what about wiring for the trailer - can i use OEM wiring harness for it?

[JCL]

Yes, you can use an aftermarket hitch. You don't give a weight range, but you are likely talking about under 2000 lbs.

The risk with an aftermarket hitch isn't just with large trailers. Some of the damage that was reported was from using hitch mounted luggage carriers, which can exert a large bending force on the hitch receiver because the weight is carried further out than the 8" maximum from the receiver pin that BMW specifies.

It is still a good idea to use the OE wiring harness, if you can find it separately. ECS used to list it, not sure if they still do.

[ukrcan]

Sorry, i should have mentioned weight...yeah i am thinking definitely not more than 2000 lbs... Luggage carrier, if i ever get one would only go on the roof...i would only be using it tow a small boat...

[e30cabrio]

A) Don't do it.

B) I have a Uhaul hitch I took off my e53.

[upallnight]

Get a class III hitch, don't bother with class I or II

I had a non factory hitch on my Audi A6 avant and I was able to tow my jet boat and jetski. I have a Hidden Hitch on my Ford pickup truck and the X has the Factory hitch. Nothing wrong with a non factory hitch. Do people really believe that non factory hitch aren't designed to tow anything?

The factory hitch is really made my Westfalia for BMW just like Thule designed the "Factory cross bars" for the E53 X. Didn't like the Thule design so I went with Rola instead. Rola look more factory then the Thule design.

[TerminatorX5]

it all depends how you attach the assembly to the car... you get a 10,000 lbs rated industrial hook, and attach it to the car with a 2 oz paperclip - guess what? your towing capacity is 2 oz... well, i am grossly exaggerating , but the point is, the OE is designed to connect in the many locations to the car... the aftermarket hitch might not have that many points of connection... i've heard, some even connect to the sheet metal in the battery pan!!!

[JCL]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Do people really believe that non factory hitch aren't designed to tow anything?

They are designed to tow just fine. They just aren't properly designed to be attached to the unibody of the X5.

If you were bolting one on a pick up truck that had exposed frame rails, any quality aftermarket hitch would be great.

[Skier1]

I have a aftermarket hitch on mine and have had no issues at all, I always have a horse float or my boat on the back ,the float loaded weighs around the 2200kg mark and the boat around the 2000kg.Bar is rated at 2700kg.

[ChevDog1]

I have had an aftermarket hitch from etrailers on my X since a week after I bought the car. I have pulled utility trailers, two large jet skis, and often have a 4 bike swing away rack mounted to it. I have checked the bolts a number of times since I installed it, and no issues yet. I also wouldn't recommend my hitch for pulling heavy loads, but for my use, it's more than adequate.

[TiAgX5]

I have an aftermarket 6000 lb Curt hitch, done several runs between TX and FL with trailers approaching the limit, no issues.

Even towed my brothers Scarab boat/trailer (7200 lbs) from mountains in PA to Jersey shore. Took it easy, inspected fastener bolts torque and checked for cracks/split seams, all ok.