hitch tow on X5

[windtower]

I'm getting my X5 and wodering why there is no tow hitch opton in the list? When is the best time to get the hitch installed? after purchasing the car, will it look ugly and get it aftermarket or ask dealer to install it? does it look nice?

I also seldom see tow hitch installed on X5 on the street. strange?

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by windtower

I'm getting my X5 and wodering why there is no tow hitch opton in the list? When is the best time to get the hitch installed? after purchasing the car, will it look ugly and get it aftermarket or ask dealer to install it? does it look nice?

I also seldom see tow hitch installed on X5 on the street. strange?

Dealer installed option. Not a factory option. Also, hitch does not include e-brake so towing capacity is limited unless you have e-brake installed.

I don't think most folks buy a BMW to tow. That is what Chevy's are for. And quite frankly, they do it better and cheaper.

I have a tow hitch to use with a bike carrier. Anything else and I will just rent a truck.

[Tequizapig]

The tow hitch is a dealer installed item. I purchased the kit from my dealer and installed myself. Not too bad of a job at all. Trailer wiring harness comes in the kit. The vehicle will have to go back to the dealer for programming to make the lights work without triggering a "bulb warning" on the dash. The kit requires some trimming of the rear valance but comes with a metal trim ring to make the job look factory installed. X5's can easily tow lightweight trailers with ease. One oversight on BMW's part-no brake controller option from the manufacturer. They equip the hitch kit with a 7-pin socket, but no electrical support or tech info for wiring up a brake controller.

[Tequizapig]

Here is a pic of the installed hitch kit.

[ORIGIN M.]

^ Correct, that is a oversight w/out question. For as much money as it costs they should have included that.

[ORIGIN M.]

Ninja Post. Nice install there. How much was the program charge?

[windtower]

Thanks, I know what should I do.

[66BM]

Did you remove the rear fascia to to the install? There is a brake controller available for all X5's for under 200 bucks, which helps under hard braking etc. The X5 can easily pull 6K lbs..

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by Tequizapig

The tow hitch is a dealer installed item. I purchased the kit from my dealer and installed myself. Not too bad of a job at all. Trailer wiring harness comes in the kit. The vehicle will have to go back to the dealer for programming to make the lights work without triggering a "bulb warning" on the dash. The kit requires some trimming of the rear valance but comes with a metal trim ring to make the job look factory installed. X5's can easily tow lightweight trailers with ease. One oversight on BMW's part-no brake controller option from the manufacturer. They equip the hitch kit with a 7-pin socket, but no electrical support or tech info for wiring up a brake controller.

Probably because the car can't tow a trailer that would have electric brakes. That's a class IV setup, 6,001+ lbs. Why use an X5 for such a rig? It'll tow like shit with the x5 rear suspension.

[66BM]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

Probably because the car can't tow a trailer that would have electric brakes. That's a class IV setup, 6,001+ lbs. Why use an X5 for such a rig? It'll tow like shit with the x5 rear suspension.

Thats the silliest thing I've ever heard. The 4.8 is rated over 6k lbs. I've been trailering a race car on an open trailer, 5k+ lbs with an ML63 and according to the dealer the 4.8 has no issues. The brake controller is installed like a relay. It relays more "power" to the trailer brakes and is controllable. My trailer hitch is going on next week, I'll put the brake controller in myself, and my 21 ft. dual axle electric brake trailer will look and ride great behind my X5 4.8.

[OTK_KART]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

Probably because the car can't tow a trailer that would have electric brakes. That's a class IV setup, 6,001+ lbs. Why use an X5 for such a rig? It'll tow like shit with the x5 rear suspension.

You have no idea what you are talking about. The X5 can tow up to 6000lbs and there is no problem to have a electonic brake controller install (prodigy)to tow any trailer with electric brakes. You would be supprise how good the X5 tow a trailer with an equalizer hitch.