Trailer hitch

[johnnydee]

I've gone ahead and ordered the correct trailer hitch but I've held off with the wiring harness.

Can I use a generic kit to pick up the lights from the tail lights or is there a BMW specific harness?

Thanks

[nefarious]

The general consensus is that only the OEM harness is guaranteed to be trouble free. Some have experienced costly repairs as a result of using the universal type harnesses that tap into the vehicles wiring.

[Thecastle]

I will also add that with coding and installation of the BMW wiring it enables some extra features on the car that are handy for towing. Such as detection of a hitch shank with guidance enabled to assist you in hitching up. Anti sway etc.

[wjibby]

Anyone had a trailer hitch installed by Uhaul. Apparently it is pretty common for them. Anyone experience any problems ??
Regards
wjibby

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by wjibby

Anyone had a trailer hitch installed by Uhaul. Apparently it is pretty common for them. Anyone experience any problems ??
Regards
wjibby

Try it and find out.

Its nothing technically special to install. However, it does require the removal of the rear bumper, cutting the rear bumper and installation of a wiring harness. If using the BMW its plug and play, others will require splicing. They will not be able to code the car.

Myself, I'd be careful that the shade tree mechanics know what they are doing and don't brake the bumper tabs or your bumper will never mount back correctly. Beyond that its pretty basic to install.

[wjibby]

What is this all about ?? What coding and why is it needed ??
Regards
wjibby

[ard]

Originally Posted by wjibby

Anyone had a trailer hitch installed by Uhaul. Apparently it is pretty common for them. Anyone experience any problems ??
Regards
wjibby

YES>>>DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guy had uhaul do it; they hacked it up; fried some modules...told him 'dont worry, corporate will cover the damages. Corporate screwed him.

The are hacks, they act like they are experts. They know jsut slighly more than a Automotive votech student. Maybe.

I'll see if I can find the link...

[Aquamania]

Originally Posted by wjibby

Anyone had a trailer hitch installed by Uhaul. Apparently it is pretty common for them. Anyone experience any problems ??
Regards
wjibby

They had to cut a square out of my bumper cover to get it to fit.

[Nanniepoo]

Originally Posted by Aquamania

They had to cut a square out of my bumper cover to get it to fit.

OEM hitch requires cutting the bumper cover as well.

[Thecastle]

BMW had towing features that can be activated only by coding the vehicle to activate them. Read my thread on the topic. https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...l-economy.html


The features are;
1) Anti-sway activated in the traction control system (quite effective)
2) Tow/Haul mode in transmission shift pattern (activated when trailer is connected automatically)
3) disablement of rear parking sensors when trailer is connected, or overtime you throw it in reverse you'll get a constant beeeeeeep.
4) Activation of hitch shank detection and rear-view guidance system that shows special arrows on the backup camera to help align the hitch to the trailer (makes hitching a snap). Worth it.

You need a BMW tech to be able to do the coding unless you can DIY.

I would highly recommend the BMW wiring harness if nothing else, as its required in some cases for these features, and is plug-n-play. The hitch itself isn't important.