[jad03060]

I haven't tried it, but I'd be really surprised if when you have something plugged into the trailer electronics, that you could disable the trailer mode.

[Frankj9000]

Also just an fyi. I put a cargo carrier on the hitch, no connections other than it mounted. When i tried to back up, it slammed on the brakes thinking there was something in the way. Hence trailer mode deactivating the systems.

[James_G0540i]

Originally Posted by volodp

Here's one thing I'm trying to figure out. Let's say I have a tow hitch-mounted bike rack with its own brake light bar. Attaching it would probably trigger the "Trailer mode" which is fine from the tailgate opening perspective but also disables Driver Assistant features which, as far as I can tell, doesn't make too much sense if it's a bike rack, not a trailer that's attached to the car. Can the Trailer mode be manually deactivated in the menu? Or the only way to work around this would be to get a bike rack without brake lights?

That's a really good question, I've never tried turning off "Trailer mode" with the trailer connected, so I don't know. I'll try it next time I hitch up my trailer.

It a bit unintuitive, because why would you want to turn off trailer mode with a trailer connected???

I can understand where you're coming from, but even with a bike rack there are at least a couple of reasons I wouldn't disable trailer mode:

1. With extra load on the rear; even with 1-2 bikes, the cars dynamics are changed, and the stability control system needs to know about it so that it can compensate for any unexpected incidents on the road; and

2. The cars sensors and camera would sense/see the rack and maybe throw some warnings/alarms and unexpected behaviors (eg. like cross traffic alert, reverse parking sensors and associated emergency braking may kick in un-expectantly).

My gut tells me play it safe and just leave it enabled.

You only lose steering assistance in the overall Driving Assistance feature set in cruise control, distance control based cruise-control still works and is fine while towing. In fact, the last thing you want is driving assistance making a sudden driving correction while towing - things could turn bad really fast.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by James_G0530d

You only lose steering assistance in the overall Driving Assistance feature set in cruise control, distance control based cruise-control still works and is fine while towing.

Why is steering assist turned off while towing? I definitely understand/agree with anything related to the back and sides, like parking/backing up and blind spot/lane change assist, but what is it about the trailer that negatively affects the forward radar or the forward 3way tracking cameras? On the other hand, all my towing trips are long distance, which is exactly where one wants distance AND lane tracking assists.

Originally Posted by James_G0530d

In fact, the last thing you want is driving assistance making a sudden driving correction while towing - things could turn bad really fast.

In fact, that's the last thing you want quite regardless of whether you're towing something or not. What difference does bad/buggy forward tracking make to towing?

[Beemertj]

Originally Posted by James_G0530d

I've just had the BMW OEM (WESTFALIA) removable hitch towbar system installed on my M-sport 30d, and its absolutely awesome. Its a clean installation; no cutouts on any horizontal / visible panels, and you cant even tell the car has a towbar when its not installed. The trailer connector swings upwards, so absolutely nothing visible.

Towing capacity is only around 6000lbs (2700Kgs); what I tow is no more than 1500-1600 Kgs (~3500Lbs) - so not an issue for me.

I know the retrofit (after factory) removable tow hitch is more expensive; cost me about $3k (Aussie dollars), but I'm willing to pay a little more to not have the cutout in the rear diffuser, or have the thing visible when I'm not towing - which is like 99% of the time.

I can post up some pics if anyone is interested....

James!

post a pic or two.

I have a system on order and have no idea which one I get installed at BMW next week.

[James_G0540i]

Originally Posted by Beemertj

James!

post a pic or two.

I have a system on order and have no idea which one I get installed at BMW next week.

When its not installed, its a clean bumper.

[Beemertj]

Thanks James!

What do we do about a bike carrier? (without a tube...)

[James_G0540i]

Originally Posted by Beemertj

Thanks James!

What do we do about a bike carrier? (without a tube...)

I must admit I have no experience with Bike carriers, but I'd imagine you probably need a tow hitch similar to the factory hitch which uses a square tube receiver. There are after-market/non-OEM versions of this towbar, however I am not sure how they do the coding required to enable towing mode.

Don't bike carriers use that square tube fitment?

[Beemertj]

Originally Posted by James_G0530d

I must admit I have no experience with Bike carriers, but I'd imagine you probably need a tow hitch similar to the factory hitch which uses a square tube receiver. There are after-market/non-OEM versions of this towbar, however I am not sure how they do the coding required to enable towing mode.

Don't bike carriers use that square tube fitment?

Yup. Square tube. I'm not sure what BMW has in store.

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by James_G0530d

When its not installed, its a clean bumper.

Are you not required to use safety chain in Australia? I don’t see any provisions for them on that design.

[James_G0540i]

Originally Posted by denaliman

Are you not required to use safety chain in Australia? I don’t see any provisions for them on that design.

Yep, absolutely, that's what these are, and yes both are on the same side. This is definitely different to what I had for my F15 X5, which had one hole on each side of the towbar, but the D shackles fit, it does the job so I'm happy.

[jad03060]

Nobody in the US carries a bike carrier that will fit on the gooseneck used elsewhere. You might be able to buy one and have it shipped, but this is not compatible with US style trailers or bike carriers and probably has a different plug for the trailer interface, likely a 13-pin plug (a nice connection, quarter-turn, waterproof, locking plug). That hitch is quite a bit more expensive than that offered in the USA. I’d heard, about a $3k option, but haven’t looked recently. They make a manual version that doesn’t motor the gooseneck, and that appears to be the one pictured that is less expensive, but still lots more than their US OEM one. In the USA, if you want one that is removeable, the stealth hitch would work, but getting the electrical interface makes that easily more than twice as expensive as the OEM version.

[Beemertj]

Well, I appreciate that info. Kind of unfortunate really. But it makes sense.

I bought the soon to be installed unit to pull a small boat, so that function will be well accommodated with this non-motorized unit. If I want to transport 3 or 4 bikes, I’ll buy a cheap cargo trailer. 😁

[EUPremier]

Originally Posted by allent

Can someone confirm if there are there any modification for extra cooling for the oil and transmission fluid when you get the factory hitch?

A second question; does the backup camera show a good view of the trailer hitch ball?

Thanks,

Bit late to the party, but yes, the factory hitch changes several wiring harnesses in the vehicle and upgrades the cooling fan to 1000W (up from 650W on 30 & 40 vehicles. The M50d comes with the 1000W fan and heavier duty battery harness as standard, however, so makes it closer to 'factory' when fitting an after-market hitch.