Self Installed Trailer Wiring/Hitch Info
 

Hello all. First post here, but have been lurking for a while. I invite you see the profile.
I want/need to install a trailer hitch on my 01, X5 and have determined there is no straight forward, simple DIY option. I am fairly experienced mechanically and in particular with BMW, having done restorations on 2002's and 5 series.
Also long-time BMWCCA active guy.
Much prefer to do a DIY project. I have the time, tools, and desire... but would benefit being in contact with any/all who have experienced this before.

I have seen the article on the hitch install, but wonder if anyone else has experience with Parking Distance Control rear bumpers vis-a-vis the Hidden Hitch option? Or any other non-OEM equipment.

Next, has anyone self installed any brand after market wiring harness for the 7-pin connector?

Next, I see the fine articles on the trailer brake controller install. These are great. Anyone else done it?

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to enjoying this forum.
Bob
(OBTW the hopz handle refers to hops in the beer....)

Welcome, Bob.

I did a DIY install of the factory OEM hitch, plus OEM wiring harness. My '03 has PDC. It is a straightforward job, I needed to add to my Torx bit collection, but that was all. Took me 4 hours, going very slowly and methodically. I spent some time poking around underneath, the next time it would be far quicker. A couple of cardboard boxes help to hold up the bumper while you disconnect the PDC wires, and they can be a nuisance to reinstall, but I didn't break any clips, all were reusable. Note that with the OEM hitch you don't need to remove the mufflers as some have done, you can just drop them slightly (use a small jackstand on each one to hold them up and reduce stress on the front pipe).

1) Pick your own poison, but many here will vote for the factory hitch over aftermarket ones. It is nicely made, fits right up, and is designed into the vehicle. There are horror stories about bent frames with non-OEM hitches, but my $0.02 is that a non-OEM hitch is fine for light towing or a bike rack, while the OEM one is the best choice for anything significant hanging off the back of the X5. With a discount from the dealer, (plus the BMW club discount) and doing it yourself, the price isn't as bad as if you were paying a dealer to do it for you.

2) It is possible to tap into the wiring harness for the 7 pin connector, but whereas the choice of hitch is not a big deal, I think that this one is a big deal. There are just too many things to go wrong with late model BMW electrics even before you start modding, so why increase the risk? The BMW wiring harness is cheaper if you buy it with the hitch in the combination kit, it turns off the rear PDC when a trailer is attached, it activates the trailer stability control in the DSC (not sure what year that came in), and it can be installed in minutes (one module, the receptacle is there waiting for it). The 7 pin connector also mounts cleanly to the OEM hitch receiver, the bracket is there. If you decide to go with an aftermarket hitch, I recommend you still buy the OEM wiring kit, weld a small bracket on the receiver for the 7-pin connector, and be safe. I just decided it was easier to do it all OEM.

3) Haven't done the trailer brake controller on this vehicle, but I have scanned the articles. The connector has a pin for the brakes, you just need to do the wiring at the vehicle end. Several choices available. Another poster by the name of withidl has experience with this one.

Good luck

Jeff

I installed the OEM hitch kit this weekend and it was relatively easy. With the right tools like an air wrench, T45 and T55 Torx (a must), and a helper nearby it can be done by the anyone that has about 5-6 extra hours to spare. Yes, I'm slow or maybe it was the beer...lol

Anyway, I would opt for the OEM hitch because you won't have to trim anything to fit. Plus, if the stories about aftermarket hitches damaging the frame are true you don't want to risk it. IMO, it does not matter if you are only going to use it for a bike rack because over time people forget. The X5 maybe sold and someone will use it to pull a heavy load and possibly damaging the vehicle or worst, someone gets hurt.

The hitch kit is about $500 + tax and it is complete. BMW did a great job with it but the instructions could be better. Between the instructions here on X5 World and the installation instruction in the kit you can figure it out. The BMW wire harness is needed regardless on whether you go with the OEM or aftermarket because it comes with a control module; the wire kit alone is about $200.

My only advise is don’t tighten up the bumper support brackets unit the two T55 bolts that hold the bumper on are in place and secured, then align the bumper and tighten the bolts that secure the bumper brackets. This step is about the hardest and you will need someone to hold the bumper while you tighten the bolts. This will make more sense once you reach this step.

Hope that helps…
Todd

I added your advise to the Hitch Install Article - http://www.xoutpost.com/articles.php?...ticle&artid=91

Thanks!

Cool - glad I could help.

I found a typo error in my original post, the word unit should be until.

Thanks...