I have removed my bumper and done a visual inspection/fastener re-tq twice in the past 18 mos. I have the Draw-tite and it has looked good so far. If I see any damage I will post pics.

FOUND IT!

HERE is an excellent thread that, thanks mostly to JCL, has some history about aftermarket hitches.

Thanks Kev

Saves me looking for the link.

If anybody is going to tow a valuable load, I think it is misguided to use anything except the OE hitch. Yes it costs more. Suck it up. When you compare the attachment points of the aftermarket hitches, and their lack of reinforcement of the body pan, with the OE design, there is no question whatsoever.

There is no reason to pay outlandish dealer install prices. The hitch is around $500, and it is either a straightforward DIY following the links posted on this site, or an easy install for an independent shop who will charge 3 hours or so. If you have a later model, you will need to get the vehicle software flashed, so that is another consideration in choice of installer.

I have installed a few hitches on X models, and can answer any specific questions.

I also think it is worth buying the OE wiring harness, because of the integration into the vehicle. You get the rear PDC turned off to prevent continual beeping, and the Trailer Stability Control function in DSC. There is no risk of damage to the mutli-plexed wiring. It used to be possible to buy the OE wiring harness separately, but what I am seeing now is the separate parts of it, not the complete wiring kit. If you add up the parts the price is not reasonable. If you buy the OE hitch, all the wriing kit is included. It makes it pretty much a no-brainer.

On the other hand, if you are towing 1000 lbs, anything will do. But the hitch with the strut running longitudinally looks fugly, IMO. Look up the threads here where we discussed it. Edit: this thread here:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-thinking.html

Jeff

What exactly does this module do?

Plugs into the vehicle wiring harness, reading the multi-plexed signals and taking power directly for the trailer wiring harness.

Tells the vehicle that a trailer may be connected.

Provides an interface for the trailer wiring harness that runs down to the hitch receiver. From this interface to the trailer the wiring is direct, ie traditional, with no multi-plexing.

If the trailer wiring harness has a trailer plugged into it, it then tells the vehicle to turn off the rear PDC (because it will beep due to the presence of the trailer drawbar) and to use the Trailer Stability Control mode in the DSC if severe sway is encountered.

Importantly, this module does not provide a trailer brake controller if you choose to use electric trailer brakes. That is a separate device.

ahhh...thank you! Pretty important piece of kit.

Appreciate the thorough explanation.

False economy on those aftermarket hitches. Skip a few meals out and get the BMW hitch for all the reasons above.

Occasionally I'll search for used X5s on autotrader. I immediately SKIP those with the non-BMW hitch, as I take it as a sign that the owner probably likes to cut corners elsewhere too.

So I guess we are to believe that BMW has more experience designing and building hitches than Draw-Tite. LOL

Two holes, no waiting . . . . Yeeehaaaaaw! Maybe that lower mount helps one avoid a drop hitch or maybe take core samples of snow banks and such.

There is nothing wrong with a DrawTite hitch if you have a vehicle with a frame, like a pickup truck. There is nothing magic about the BMW hitch itself, the important point is in how it integrates into the vehicle. And yes, BMW understands the X5 better than DrawTite.