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!

Are you saying the bolt pattern doesn't match, or are you concerned because the mounting holes are recessed? If you're concerned about the recess, just use a couple washers on each bolt to take up the space and bolt that thing up. If you're still nervous, you could send your pictures to Curt and ask them about it.

AM.

You're supposed to remove that piece - the one where the tow hook eye screws into. The Curt hitch will replace that piece. Look closely at the picture that you'd posted on your original post - that piece that is currently attached to your car is not there in that picture.

That would explain why you won't have a problem aligning the bumper after installing the Curt hitch:thumbup:

What is the measurement from the Curtis to the bumper bolt location? Consider filling with nuts/washers,other metal material to take up the space. Then, insert your bumper shocks and see if it will still all bolt up. Basically using a spacing method to connect the two. You can also use industrial grade rubber/ steel belted tire, spacer and boltup. tight. This is if your are certain your tow weight is minimal. Good luck.

He's right, look closely, if it's not welded, then remove those bolts holding the shock / frame to the body and replace with your Curtis. Voila. Genius dude.

Wow, I assumed the hitch bolted to the strong structural box section piece at the rear of the car, that was held to the body in something like 12 places. Not that I had to remove that rigid structure, leaving just the sheet steel body pressing, and bolt my hitch on in it's place using only 8 of the bolts! Doh!

Hmm.. I see more why these are not recommended for towing! Ha!

But thanks guys (particularly dkl!) I had pretty much started putting everything back together.. I Shall have another go tomorrow evening..

You might consider adding the two "butterfly" structural hitch supports that mount inside the rear. I might have an extra set. PM if interested. I'll see if I can find a photo....It's possible these supports are already on the car.

That's nice looking E30 rag. What year? Original? Manual? For sale?

Hmm Butterfly supports?
Is that what these are?


I got it all bolted up today - thanks to people's advice here!

The electrical connector is only located with zip ties, but since i haven't yet bought the 'towing module', I just need to make sure it doesn't drop and drag on the floor..

Job done:

Thanks, it's an '89, and whilst ultimately everything has it's price, I don't think it's really for sale. I've had it about 5 years I think and pretty much got it how I want it. Which is to say:
- It's a 5 speed
- the 2.5 is nicely maintained and pulls well
- I refurbished the shift mech and fitted a Z3 shifter
- I found and had refurbished some E30 Style10 wheels, that I really like as they have a nice deep 80s rim and yet are still OEM
- no rust that I've found
- I fitted an OEM rear seat headrest kit, which I think looks cool.
- I found a nice stock-ish looking stereo that does bluetooth streaming

The things that need work I don't really care about, like faded (original) paint, filthy, inappropriate (it has a BMW part number, but I think its from an E21) rear spoiler, and leaky tired soft top.. I'm not a fan of the US impact bumpers, or the US spec brake light on the truck lid, but you can't see them when you are driving it!

Though, actually, replacing the top and getting as a result a rear window you can see out of would be nice..

Yes...It was never clear to me that all X5's had these installed from the factory, but maybe they were..I am glad to see them on yours.

There was an OEM tow module (ending in 019 I think) on ebay just listed for $35 I think...

Also If memory serves, the trailer harness does NOT plug into the tow module directly. There is a unused factory plug near the passenger side butterfly bracket that the harness plugs into after routing thru the hole in the body.

The module plugs into a different unused connector on the outside of the battery enclosure.