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      12-31-2018, 02:49 PM   #1
trev230
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Stealth Hitch Pics

Needed a hitch after purchasing an inventory vehicle that did not have the factory hitch option. I first contacted my parts guy at our local dealer and he said nothing was available from BMW right now. The only way to have a trailer hitch was to order a vehicle with it included. Already owning another X5 I recalled the hidden hitch and found them online. It's called stealth hitch and there are two options for the assembly. You can opt for the trailer hitch with ball or the accessory hitch (bike rack, etc..). I needed the trailer hitch with ball to pull my dirt bikes so I had to elect for the more expensive option.

Positives-
-Quality is top notch. Packaging was superb as well.
-Install instructions were excellent and color photos were great.
-Factory trunk kick is retained, no problems there.
-Engineering on this thing is outstanding. It's solid as a rock and has a killer locking mechanism and design. Made in GA.

Negatives-
-It's pricey but worth it in my opinion
-You have to remove the entire rear bumper and support assembly, some wiring is also required.

All in all I'm very happy with this setup. You can't even tell it's on the vehicle unless the ball attachment is connected. The installation instructions state 2.5 hours of labor. I can work on anything and had a helper which is definitely needed for this job. It took us a little over 4 hours. Some of that was due to taking our time. Some of it was due to a stubborn bumper clip that would not release for about 30 minutes.

Pic attached of hitch with and without ball assembly attached.
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      12-31-2018, 02:51 PM   #2
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Wow!! Total stealth. Great job. Does the "kick to open" sensors work fine?
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      12-31-2018, 02:56 PM   #3
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Yeah 100% stealth, yes the kick to open feature is retained. There is a solid block of cnc machine aluminum right behind that middle area of the bumper. The ball attachment slides vertically into it and locks into place, then it has an additional security key lock that keeps someone from removing it without a key. The block of aluminum is bolted to the hitch bracket which is bolted to the frame of the vehicle. It's a really neat design.
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      12-31-2018, 06:21 PM   #4
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Nice! Link and price?
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      01-01-2019, 09:05 AM   #5
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What is the tongue weight? Is the max towing capacity limited to 6000lbs?
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      01-01-2019, 09:59 AM   #6
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This is great. Can I ask how much it cost?
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      01-01-2019, 02:24 PM   #7
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$788 for the towing version
600 lb tongue weight
7,700 lb trailer weight
All specs here

https://stealthhitches.com/products/...5-2019-present
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      01-01-2019, 04:41 PM   #8
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Obviously they are not referring to US towing specs. The real question is whether if you do not opt for factory hitch you are getting the same drivetrain hardware as with the hitch option (fan, engine and transmission cooling system, rear suspension, etc.). Somebody would need to compare the parts realoem.



Stealth’s fully welded tow hitch for the BMW X5 G05 is strong and durable with a Lifetime Guarantee. The combination of a stainless steel latch block and powder coat finish provides excellent rust protection allowing you to enjoy your eco-adventures and not worry about the function of your hitch.

The vehicle capacities with the BMW X5 tow hitch are:

7,800 pounds - gross trailer weight (GTW)
600 pounds - tongue weight (TW)
Stealth Hitches are designed to exceed vehicle capacities by a minimum of 50%. We list the vehicle capacities, not hitch capacities, to give our customers more meaningful data. Please confirm capacities with the vehicle owner’s manual.


Quote:
Originally Posted by trev230 View Post
$788 for the towing version
600 lb tongue weight
7,700 lb trailer weight
All specs here

https://stealthhitches.com/products/...5-2019-present
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      01-01-2019, 06:35 PM   #9
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Yes, those are the specs. Read them yourself. The hitch is made in GA. The company has been around a while and makes this style of hitch for a ton of vehicles. There is nothing different on the vehicle if a hitch is installed from the factory other than the hitch itself and the final wiring connector that ties into the included harness which is already terminated at the back of the vehicle under the passenger side tail light assembly.
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      01-01-2019, 09:53 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trev230 View Post
Yes, those are the specs. Read them yourself. The hitch is made in GA. The company has been around a while and makes this style of hitch for a ton of vehicles. There is nothing different on the vehicle if a hitch is installed from the factory other than the hitch itself and the final wiring connector that ties into the included harness which is already terminated at the back of the vehicle under the passenger side tail light assembly.
Did Stealth Hitch provide instructions on how to remove the rear bumper for the installation?
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      01-01-2019, 09:57 PM   #11
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      01-02-2019, 12:45 AM   #12
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Wow! That’s really expensive! But it does seem like a great option...
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      01-02-2019, 12:52 AM   #13
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I know this company well. I was considering to install their hitch on E70, however, their hitches DO NOT work with weight distribution, which was a deal breaker for me.

Did you really check all the parts in realoem, so you can claim that there is nothing different in the car with and without hitch option? You sound fairly sure about it. What is the source of this information?

Quote:
Originally Posted by trev230 View Post
Yes, those are the specs. Read them yourself. The hitch is made in GA. The company has been around a while and makes this style of hitch for a ton of vehicles. There is nothing different on the vehicle if a hitch is installed from the factory other than the hitch itself and the final wiring connector that ties into the included harness which is already terminated at the back of the vehicle under the passenger side tail light assembly.
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      01-09-2019, 09:32 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trev230 View Post
Yes, those are the specs. Read them yourself. The hitch is made in GA. The company has been around a while and makes this style of hitch for a ton of vehicles. There is nothing different on the vehicle if a hitch is installed from the factory other than the hitch itself and the final wiring connector that ties into the included harness which is already terminated at the back of the vehicle under the passenger side tail light assembly.
Has anyone been able to determine what the difference is on a car with the factory hitch vs. without as it relates to other non-hitch-components such as oil cooler, alternator, etc.?

How is the factory trailer power connection wired vs. the splice job as shown in the Stealth Hitch instructions?

May car is in 111 status and I need a good hitch with clean, factory-like install, but don't want to give up the foot sensor.
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      01-09-2019, 11:54 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ImportA340 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by trev230 View Post
Yes, those are the specs. Read them yourself. The hitch is made in GA. The company has been around a while and makes this style of hitch for a ton of vehicles. There is nothing different on the vehicle if a hitch is installed from the factory other than the hitch itself and the final wiring connector that ties into the included harness which is already terminated at the back of the vehicle under the passenger side tail light assembly.
Has anyone been able to determine what the difference is on a car with the factory hitch vs. without as it relates to other non-hitch-components such as oil cooler, alternator, etc.?

How is the factory trailer power connection wired vs. the splice job as shown in the Stealth Hitch instructions?

May car is in 111 status and I need a good hitch with clean, factory-like install, but don't want to give up the foot sensor.
I'll answer the first part:

Repost of my previous reply in another thread.

Reviewed RealOEM and training docs, you're not getting added equipment or suspension when you select factory towing package.

Only notes are for when you have 2-axle air and using towing.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=24181597
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      01-10-2019, 05:28 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricom View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ImportA340 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by trev230 View Post
Yes, those are the specs. Read them yourself. The hitch is made in GA. The company has been around a while and makes this style of hitch for a ton of vehicles. There is nothing different on the vehicle if a hitch is installed from the factory other than the hitch itself and the final wiring connector that ties into the included harness which is already terminated at the back of the vehicle under the passenger side tail light assembly.
Has anyone been able to determine what the difference is on a car with the factory hitch vs. without as it relates to other non-hitch-components such as oil cooler, alternator, etc.?

How is the factory trailer power connection wired vs. the splice job as shown in the Stealth Hitch instructions?

May car is in 111 status and I need a good hitch with clean, factory-like install, but don't want to give up the foot sensor.
I'll answer the first part:

Repost of my previous reply in another thread.

Reviewed RealOEM and training docs, you're not getting added equipment or suspension when you select factory towing package.

Only notes are for when you have 2-axle air and using towing.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=24181597
That's helpful, thank you.
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      01-10-2019, 08:58 AM   #17
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It looks like you can't control drop or rise with that hitch, though?
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      01-10-2019, 11:02 AM   #18
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I still want one! Just wish they were cheaper...
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      02-07-2019, 11:32 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trev230 View Post
$788 for the towing version
600 lb tongue weight
7,700 lb trailer weight
All specs here

https://stealthhitches.com/products/...5-2019-present

I'm about to pull the trigger on the same one with Combo package but I have two questions.
1. Did you get the wiring harness? and is it attached to the tow bar?
2. Did you have to get the dealer to reprogram IDrive since you now have the tow package?
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      02-07-2019, 11:50 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Espejo View Post
I'm about to pull the trigger on the same one with Combo package but I have two questions.
1. Did you get the wiring harness? and is it attached to the tow bar?
2. Did you have to get the dealer to reprogram IDrive since you now have the tow package?
+1.

I’m also curious of this
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      02-08-2019, 02:05 AM   #21
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+2
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      02-08-2019, 01:55 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Espejo View Post
I'm about to pull the trigger on the same one with Combo package but I have two questions.
1. Did you get the wiring harness? and is it attached to the tow bar?
2. Did you have to get the dealer to reprogram IDrive since you now have the tow package?
It came with a wiring harness, taps, and excellent instructions. I believe they sell another harness that plugs into the factory hitch pre-wire. The wiring harness is routed through a grommet underneath the right tail light and then zip tied to the mounting plate for the hitch assembly. The hitch assembly replaces the rear bumper crash bar. I did not need the dealer to reprogram anything. I'm pulling a 5X8 utility trailer with two dirtbikes on it so nothing super heavy.
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