[DwainA]

Originally Posted by ColoradoKevin

stealthhitches.com $668 for hitch without ball. Three pictures show receiver attachment, the interface under the bumper with the lock and the final picture is the receiver attached. Installation was $464.

That's a great installation price.

[superkrups20056]

Just got mine done - I had the 8SL option on my 2019 X5, so I got the active harness upgrade that will enable trailer mode that enables the aforementioned features like the OEM hitch. The total was 2K for about two different dealers that I checked. I ended up going with a closer one. I am getting it coded in a week.

Will the coder end up restoring chassis stabilization? It might be my imagination, but I feel like my car drives a little different. It’s a little bit more heavier in the back for sure.

[oldguy00]

Have any Canadians here had one installed? Who did the install, as it doesn't seem like they have many Canadian installers listed on their website.

A friend of mine bought a different brand hitch, and locally here in Nova Scotia, I think the only place offering to install it was Uhaul (I had no idea they offered this service).
They got it installed, but did not do a good job - You can see the bumper/lights are not aligned perfectly, and apparently they broke some clip...

[jad03060]

If you're not familiar with it, or are not careful, it's really easy to break some of the loops on the bumper cover that latch it in place...the only real solution to that is replace the cover...it's not that hard if you've done it before AND you have a second person to help hold one end as you unlatch the rest, otherwise, you're likely to snap one or more off if it's hanging by one or two at the end and you let the other end sag too far.

In the USA, BMW no longer does the towing prep that makes it easier to install the needed parts later, but it is available elsewhere in the world.

[plutoking]

I asked stealth hitch about their new option that can enable all the towing functions for those without 8SL. They said it's gonna be released in 4-6 wks.

Btw, does anyone have recommendations for installing stealth hitch in SF bay area?

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by ColoradoKevin

stealthhitches.com $668 for hitch without ball. Three pictures show receiver attachment, the interface under the bumper with the lock and the final picture is the receiver attached. Installation was $464.

Look nice. But I do want to bring up the potential departure angle concern. It seems low and stick out too far. Without anything attached, it is ok. With a bike rack sticking out even more, it can scrape. Most after market hitch has this issue in my pass experience, CRV, Rav4, forester, MDX, Qx60 ….

[superkrups20056]

Just want to shout out Okee being an amazing guy and coding my car in the dead of night. Could not ask for a more genuine and nice guy; willing to explain everything to me. Amazing person. Stealth Hitch trailer mode is now ready for the big move!

[neocryte]

Works great, I've used one for over a year now. In NYC area, dealerships wanted $1-1.5k+ to install it (on top of the $600+ hitch cost). I installed it myself, it takes a few hrs but relatively easy. Great detailed videos online and step-by-step instructions.

[tooloud10]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Look nice. But I do want to bring up the potential departure angle concern. It seems low and stick out too far. Without anything attached, it is ok. With a bike rack sticking out even more, it can scrape. Most after market hitch has this issue in my pass experience, CRV, Rav4, forester, MDX, Qx60 ….

Yep, this is the problem with many aftermarket hitches. I had one installed on my '21 Ford Edge and it sits below where the factory hitch would go so I constantly have to watch the departure angle because I have scraped the heck out of my Kuat bike rack.

I'll never do an aftermarket hitch again.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by tooloud10

Yep, this is the problem with many aftermarket hitches. I had one installed on my '21 Ford Edge and it sits below where the factory hitch would go so I constantly have to watch the departure angle because I have scraped the heck out of my Kuat bike rack.

I'll never do an aftermarket hitch again.

Agree. I think if someone bought a car without factory hitch for whatever reason, and they need a hitch, then it is what it is. But if you know you need a hitch, just get factory. Don't think about skip that and do stealth later, it is a patch at IMO, although maybe one of the best patch. And in the case of BMW, factory hitch is one heck of a deal too

[superkrups20056]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Agree. I think if someone bought a car without factory hitch for whatever reason, and they need a hitch, then it is what it is. But if you know you need a hitch, just get factory. Don't think about skip that and do stealth later, it is a patch at IMO, although maybe one of the best patch. And in the case of BMW, factory hitch is one heck of a deal too

BMW quoted me $3800 for active tow hitch. Stealth hitch with active harness was a little over $2000.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by superkrups20056

BMW quoted me $3800 for active tow hitch. Stealth hitch with active harness was a little over $2000.

The BMW hitch is $650 when purchased from the factory as part of a build. Depending on your model you also get upgraded brakes.

[superkrups20056]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

The BMW hitch is $650 when purchased from the factory as part of a build. Depending on your model you also get upgraded brakes.

Got it. I got mine used with 6K mikes for 20K off

[adr1974]

Originally Posted by superkrups20056

BMW quoted me $3800 for active tow hitch. Stealth hitch with active harness was a little over $2000.

is this the OEM hitch (with the appropriate brake upgrades etc) or something different?

[superkrups20056]

Originally Posted by adr1974

is this the OEM hitch (with the appropriate brake upgrades etc) or something different?

The Stealth Hitch is a third party hitch but with proper coding you can get the “active” version that activates “Trailer mode” in iDrive for those who bought their car without a hitch but with the 8SL option. Talking to Stealth Hitch, they may have an active solution for those cars after 2020 that did not come with the 8SL option too.

What is the difference between a active and passive hitch? Besides a large price difference and much more wiring, “active” means Trailer Mode will be enabled in iDrive:

1. Park Distance Control - (PDC) Disabled when a trailer is electrically connected.
2. Stability Control - Utilized anti-lock brakes to dampen trailer sway in unsafe conditions.
3. Rear camera zoom - Enable selectable feature to zoom in on trailer hitch location
4. Trailer Light - Notification of failure (bulb out) on trailer
5. Disable the chassis stabilization error message
6. Transmission - Reprogramming shift points to adjust to the trailer

[jad03060]

If you're going to order your vehicle, it's much more cost effective to get the factory towing option. IMHO, even if you're only going to use it for a bike carrier, having the ability to add an auxiliary light bar so your rear lights aren't obstructed is a big safety plus, and technically required in some places.

[superkrups20056]

Originally Posted by jad03060

If you're going to order your vehicle, it's much more cost effective to get the factory towing option. IMHO, even if you're only going to use it for a bike carrier, having the ability to add an auxiliary light bar so your rear lights aren't obstructed is a big safety plus, and technically required in some places.

I bought my vehicle used with 6K miles so I did not have that option. I had an installer put in an active Stealth Hitch for my 2019 X5 40i and I towed the largest U Haul 6 x 12 ft 2,300 miles no problem. Incredible.