Fitting a cheap (free) Curt Towhitch / Towbar on E53 - need advice
 

So I've looked at a couple of threads examining the limitations of the early (non-OEM) towhitches that bolt up through the rear bumper impact absorbers, rather than the OEM design that replaces those impact absorbers with decent support brackets.

I don't want to re-ignite the debate about the merits of OEM vs aftermarket, it seems obvious that the Curt on in particular is not terribly robust, particularly in bending, as it has little (no) support other than the bolts to the stamped steel body.

BUT:

A) I'm done spending big bucks on my 2001 X5, so an OEM kit is out of the question
B) I just want to pull a small light trailer to the local dump
C) (most importantly) My neighbour gave me this Curt one for free

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/As...j=w666-h888-no


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ju...=w1184-h888-no

But I do have two questions..

1) If the bracket bolts up between the body and the bumper mount, it must push the bumper mounts further back. Is there enough adjustment in the bumper fit up to keep it possible to maintain the correct position?
2) Whilst I got the bar and the wiring connector, I don't have the white towing module. They seem to be available on eBay for $50 - but there are many many part numbers - which would I need for a 2000/12 E53 3.0i?


Any thoughts?


I found an image of an installed one on one of those threads:

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/x5-...curt-hitch.jpg

Reference thread:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...options-2.html

Pics of what you got - for free aren’t appearing in your post.

Is it an OEM harness?

My understanding is that at least three module part numbers work on US cars

I know I have seen 019 & 253 come off x5’s with the OEM hitch installation.

61358369019
61356908767
61356955253

Not sure about the bumper attachment, but I think there is enough play to adjust it

Does this work:

Darn, shoulda hitched it to the E30 Rag and dumped in style. LOL.. looks fine if your just towing around 500lbs, weight of dual sport motorcycle. But, is the bracket behind the shock mounts bolting through the body/frame panel? Or is it simply a bracket plate pressed between the shock mounting/bolts? IF so, consider applying it with bolts going through the Curts tow plate? Good luck. PS. Old OEM's aren't that much used.

The only reference I have is the one photo showing one installed that I pulled from another thread. It seems that you pull out the bumper mounts, and refit them with the Curt mount sandwiched between them and the body. Then there seems to be one more bolt on either side added below the bumper mounts.

Thanks to Effduration for the advice on the tow module PNs..!

So here is the link to the Curt installation thread if anyone's interested.. Looks pretty thorough (I didn't read all of it)

There was a recommendation to get extra bumper brackets...may not be needed on an early X5

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-pictures.html

Thanks!

The bumper will mount back fine with the hitch sandwiched in there. Can't speak for its towing capacity since I only use mine to mount a mountain bike.

Thanks!

Well, after taking the bumper mounts off, knocking out the studs (because yes, I think they looked pretty weedy) and starting to drill the holes out a little so I could use 1/2" bolts, I did a quick trial fit (awkwardly since my domestic serf / 12yr old was in the middle of a particularly long winded fortnite session) and discovered that the Curt bar doesn't fit my Dec 2000 E53..:


The mounting face won't fit on the flat areas of the structural piece on the body of the car..

Maybe this tow bar only fits later E53 because maybe they don't have the same structural piece..

I wish I hadn't knocked the studs out and drilled out the holes on the bumper mounts now!