Anyone installed a trailer hitch themselves?
 

I have a 2006 X5. I just found out my dealer wants over $500 to install a trailer hitch! Is it really that much work? Anyone done it, as if its not too difficult I would like to do it myself...

Thanks

try this link..

W56


http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/m...tion-tips.html

Just installed mine a few weeks ago. Not difficult at all; just follow the write-ups and tips located here. Perhaps some would think $500 reasonable, but I like working on my own vehicles -- both for relaxation and to keep others' hands off whenever possible. :)

BTW, many people purchase from Crevier or others online -- and I have bought and will continue to buy other X5 items online myself. However, my nearby BMW dealer offers a 20% BMW CCA member discount, and was quite a bit cheaper than if I had to pay shipping on this heavy item. Check prices before you buy ...

Good luck with the install!

Mike

Make sure you get the OEM BMW hitch rather than a Hidden-Hitch or U-Haul.

I did mine a few weeks ago as well. Overall, its pretty easy. Just make sure you have a nice socket set with several extension pieces and the correct Torx bits.

I only had/have 1 issue which I'm really hoping someone could help me out with. I installed everything pretty easily. I left those 4 nuts loose that you tighten from inside the car, put the bumper back on, jacked the bumper up, and tightened up those screws. I still have like a 1/4" gap between the bumper and rear molding. It starts off at the right gap next to the wheel wells, but by the time it gets to the back, about 1/4" too low. I remounted the bumper and the assembly several annoying times, and still the same thing. I'm thinking about taking a hammer to the metal bumper cross brace thing and altering it such that it will mount a little higher.

Any ideas welcome!!
Thanks!
-Ray

get a 2nd person to help... one person holds the bumper in position while the other tighten's the alignment nuts...

i used a mixture of bungie cords and various ties/ropes to hold my bumper in place while i tightened it down... but my bumper was scraped/damaged already so i really didn't care about more marks on it...

Thanks.

Does the OEM BMW hitch come with install instructions?

Yes - but definitely pay attention to the DIY's on this site as the OEM instructions are vague in a few areas.

When you remove the rear bumper make sure you have a some type of blanket or cushioning on the floor to rest it on.

There will be some amount of sand/rocks that will come out from inside the bumper and a potential to scratch it. I learned the hardway but having 2 people there is a good idea for that part of the install. It took me about 6 1/2 hours to do it and I used a combo of instructions I found on this website and the BMW included ones.

Oh, also, get a torque wrench to use for the bolts that are installed into the rear frame.

And I echo the comment about buying the BMW hitch. Once I saw how it installs and compared it to an aftermarket one I saw the reason I paid more.l