Here comes the hitch debate!
 

Seeing as OEM hitches are near impossible to find, has anyone installed the following from Curt? This seems to be a different design than previous threads (the giant bar that crosses between the supports). This one is more a plate that mounts to that bar and has a hooked bar that goes under the center. Thoughts?

https://www.curtmfg.com/masterlibrary/13162/installsheet/CM_13162_INS.PDF

https://www.curtmfg.com/masterlibrary/56200/installsheet/CME_56200_INS.PDF

Thanks!

There isn't a big debate if the OE hitches aren't available, IMO.

If the OE receiver is not available, I would use a receiver that has the torque beam running fore and aft, as in your Curt reference diagram. Several aftermarket hitches use variations of that design to resist bending moments on the receiver, and the early aftermarket hitch failures were all in bending. When they failed, the receiver was left pointing down at 30 degrees or so. None of them had that torque beam. It was added in later in response to the early failures. I don't think it looks great, but I think it is structurally solid.

If I had a choice, I would use an aftermarket hitch that attaches at the location of the bumper shock struts and not on the cross bar as shown in your reference. I suppose it is OK there, but that beam isn't designed to resist fore and aft forces like the shock strut location is.

I don't think it matters who makes it. Curt, Hidden Hitch, U Haul, and others have all sold versions of each of the above, it seems. I think they buy batches from sub suppliers from time to time and put their own label on them. Also, what they post on a web site might not be what they ship to you, so suggest you confirm with the seller.

I recommend you purchase the OE electrical interface whichever receiver you purchase. ECS had it listed last time I looked; not sure if they still do. It gives you the automatic rear PDC defeat when a trailer is connected, avoids any risk of problems with the LCM, and enables the Trailer Stability Control mode included in the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system.

Good luck

Jeff

Thanks. I will try to source the OE wiring kit. It isn't so hack as the others and offers the features you mention.

Looks like ECS still carries them. I dug the schematics up on here somewhere, as ECS has no instructions with it. I'll try to make heads or tails of it. The part that's missing from the instructions is the coding. I need the STD to OBD2 plug so I can try to connect to the X5. I can connect to my E36 328 through STD port, so I'm hoping I can get connected to the X as well.

The OE hitch installation instructions are posted here under Online References. Those instructions cover the OE wiring kit.

You may not need coding depending on your year of manufacture. No info in your profile or sig.

I'll look at the resources. I've put details in the signature and not showing up. Tried again. Lets see if this works.

Good the signature works, can't find the online resources section. Am I missing it? I'll dig through the trunk later to find all the connection points too.

Online References is a tab in the top blue bar, after Forums, Articles, How Tos, and before FAQ and User CP.

The link takes you here:

bmwmotorsports.org - bmw enthusiasts for bmw enthusiasts

Up to 2003 there was no discussion of coding. My 2003 was fine without. Starting with the LCI in 2004 there were some vehicles that required it, but not all. It appears to depend on the combination of options and software configuration of each vehicle. The coding doesn't load any programming, it simply tells the vehicle that the trailer wiring module is now there, and so to use it.

Yeah, I can't help much here but to add my experience across my X's. I never messed with my 10/03 build 3.0, so I didn't add a hitch. I did add the OEM hitch to my 07/04 build 4.8is, and did not (apparently) have to code.

The 4.8is was loaded with pretty much everything but the rear load floor.

Still can't find that resource link. My screen shows Home, Forums, Articles, How To, FAQ, User CP. Is that unlocked with a different level of membership?

Over the next week or two, I'll source the kit and see if I can hook up to see or activate the module. It'll be a bit yet, but when I figure it out, I'll post details.