[Who's on first]

Good info on this thread. Just my $.02. I have a 2020 X5, Installed Stealth Hitch a year ago, just using the Stealth hitch harness. I've trailered 30+ times averaging a weight of 4,000 pounds. Not a single issue. I feel for MOST hauling needs you can bag the integration. The only annoying thing is PDC when backing up, and random blind spot monitoring lights in your mirrors. You can individually code in Trailer View for hooking up, helpful when alone.

I am swapping this X5 for an X5MC this week. So, VERY thankful to those helping in this thread resolve my worries about the stealth hitch on the M.

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by Who's on first

You can individually code in Trailer View for hooking up, helpful when alone.

Were you able to code in the Trailer View without the OE harness installed?

My 21 X5 40i doesn't have the 8SL option which is the factory preparation for the tow hitch. This is the prewiring that is needed for the tow hitch installation with OE harness.

I presume since your MY20 X5 had 8SL you were able to code in the Trailer View?

[Who's on first]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

Were you able to code in the Trailer View without the OE harness installed?

My 21 X5 40i doesn't have the 8SL option which is the factory preparation for the tow hitch. This is the prewiring that is needed for the tow hitch installation with OE harness.

I presume since your MY20 X5 had 8SL you were able to code in the Trailer View?

Couldn't tell you if it has 8SL, honestly. Just know the coding was simple.

EDIT/// - Correct, I installed no OE Harness, just spliced in the wiring from the stealth hitch that came with the hitch itself.

[motuman]

I've just skimmed through this thread, and unless I've missed it....

- Is is true you cannot order the factory X5 hitch shown in the attached photo?

- I've paged through Real OEM and I can find the lower bumper cover for the factory hitch, and the retrofit (swing away ball type) hitch, but not the 2" received hitch shown in this photo.

If I cannot get the factory hitch, I'll have to go with the Stealth hitch, as I need the 2" receiver...but I have a very high trailer tongue height, and the 2-1/2 - 3" ish +/- higher height of the factory hitch would help me avoid the added moment from a 2-3" taller ball mount.

FWIW - has anyone seen a factory hitched on a X5 40i? I've looked at hundreds of CPO X5 40i's online, and only ever seen a factory hitch on an M50i.

Thx !!

[jad03060]

Have you talked to a dealer's parts department? I'm thinking you did not order the vehicle with the factory hitch, but want to install it?

It can be done, but if you want to be totally OEM, you will need a special harness (the latest X5's sold in the USA do not include the prewiring any more), and someone that can program the module that you'll also have to buy as I don't think the dealer will do it for you as the VIN and module complement as built won't match.

[BRB-Prsch928S]

Originally Posted by motuman

FWIW - has anyone seen a factory hitched on a X5 40i? I've looked at hundreds of CPO X5 40i's online, and only ever seen a factory hitch on an M50i.

Thx !!

I have the factory hitch on my 2021 x40i. Installed at the factory, not after the fact.

[jad03060]

FWIW, I have a 45e, and I special ordered it with the trailer package. Note, the trailer package varies in different countries, and some get the towing prep that the US no longer includes so it's easier to add later.

The hitch used elsewhere from NA tends to be a gooseneck, no square receiver, and from the factory, it's powered and retracts underneath the rear bumper. The alternative hitch is not powered, but the gooseneck is removeable, simlar to the Stealth hitch, but again, no square receiver that I've seen, and they tend to have the 13-pin, DIN electrical connector, which IMHO, is superior to the 7 or 4-pin connections typically used in the USA...the DIN connector is waterproof, and 1/4-turn, twist lock...a much nicer connector and easier to install and remove.

While you can find an electrical interface that will give you the lights nobody at this time on a G05 makes an electrical interface other than OEM that incorporates all of the OEM functionality which includes:
- auto detect of a trailer
- special camera view to help align to the trailer connector
- light status monitoring
- stability control logic
- disable rear PDC sensors
- larger front brakes
- wired for an electrical brake controller (IMHO, it's in a lousy location, though!)

All you get with an aftermarket box is that the lights illuminate when they're supposed to. You'd get to keep your kick to open, though, and those outside of the NA market seem to have that and the OEM trailer hitch, but we don't in the USA.

[chrisnack]

Originally Posted by jad03060

- auto detect of a trailer
- special camera view to help align to the trailer connector
- light status monitoring
- stability control logic
- disable rear PDC sensors
- larger front brakes
- wired for an electrical brake controller (IMHO, it's in a lousy location, though!)

All of this is available with the factory wiring, and some very minor coding. I believe starting in MY21 though, they started removing the pre-wiring that all pre-MY21 have, so its' a harder add on the newer vehicles.

Cost me about $400 for the factory wiring harness for my MY19.

[jad03060]

Yes, the OEM parts allow full functionality...up to this point, none of the aftermarket modules/harnesses do...they only provide the brakes and the lights.

[motuman]

Originally Posted by jad03060

Have you talked to a dealer's parts department? I'm thinking you did not order the vehicle with the factory hitch, but want to install it?
.

Correct...the vehicle was ordered without the factory hitch, but I want to install the OEM factory hitch (with received opening in the bumper, as shown in the photo)....not below, like the Stealth hitch.

I only spoke with my local dealer, and looked at Real OEM...but you bring up a good point. Maybe I should call I high volume parts department and ask if they can order the OEM hitch-receiver.

[motuman]

Originally Posted by jad03060

While you can find an electrical interface that will give you the lights nobody at this time on a G05 makes an electrical interface other than OEM that incorporates all of the OEM functionality which includes:
- auto detect of a trailer
- special camera view to help align to the trailer connector
- light status monitoring
- stability control logic
- disable rear PDC sensors
- larger front brakes
- wired for an electrical brake controller (IMHO, it's in a lousy location, though!)
.

Would really like to get these features. My primary reason for owning an X5 is to tow, and the camera view to help align the trailer connector would be worth the price of admission alone.

The tow option is so inexpensive, by BMW standards, its a shame more X5's aren't order with this option. (understand people want to get keep the rear bumper clean)

FWIW - For some reason, probably see more factory hitches on Q7's vs X5's by a 5 or 10 to 1 ratio here in Socal. When I do a CPO search on the BMW site I can never find a x40i with a factory hitch... but it's relatively easy to find a CPO Q7 with a factory hitch.

[jad03060]

At least one person bought the parts and did the retrofit. You should be able to find his thread. The dealership may not help you. To get it to all work, he had to do the programming himself.

While I may never tow something, I will likely use it for carrying my trike so I don't get the interior dirty. For that, I use a basket, but same idea as a bike hitch. I may buy a travel trailer...still thinking about it and wanted to be ready for it.

[G20_Transporter]

I looked at pricing a factory hitch installed after I picked up the 2020 X5 40i and it is CAD$3100 plus install at CAD$165/hr and I will also the kick to open trunk feature.

due to the price I will go with stealth hitch

[KuduKing]

As of today, I no longer see the factory trailer hitch as an option on the Build Your Own function of the BMW North America site

[thesalboy]

Originally Posted by KuduKing

As of today, I no longer see the factory trailer hitch as an option on the Build Your Own function of the BMW North America site

Wow I just made the cut then. 10/21 build 45e special ordered in September.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by motuman

I've just skimmed through this thread, and unless I've missed it....

- Is is true you cannot order the factory X5 hitch shown in the attached photo?

- I've paged through Real OEM and I can find the lower bumper cover for the factory hitch, and the retrofit (swing away ball type) hitch, but not the 2" received hitch shown in this photo.

If I cannot get the factory hitch, I'll have to go with the Stealth hitch, as I need the 2" receiver...but I have a very high trailer tongue height, and the 2-1/2 - 3" ish +/- higher height of the factory hitch would help me avoid the added moment from a 2-3" taller ball mount.

FWIW - has anyone seen a factory hitched on a X5 40i? I've looked at hundreds of CPO X5 40i's online, and only ever seen a factory hitch on an M50i.

Thx !!

Read my posts here...

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1873734

The picture in realoem.com isn't accurate for US. The US version has a 2" receiver.

[thesalboy]

Like this... (M Sport)

[dirtybird_434]

Hi guys,
Going to pull the trigger on the Stealth Hitch with the Stealth wiring harness. I understand that I won't be able to do trailer mode like OEM.
Will I have any issues, lights, warnings , etc.
I was told that Stealth wiring harness would just by pass all this.
Thanks in advance.

[jad03060]

The OEM harness and electronics module will perform stability control functions when it detects a trailer installed and, just like the lights in the vehicle, can monitor and alert you to a light malfunction. You MIGHT be able to have someone code trailer mode for you. IF that is possible, you'd get a new menu item and, since it wouldn't do it automatically, you could manually enable it. When manually enabled, you get a new rear camera view with an alignment cursor to help you line up with the trailer's tongue. It MIGHT also turn off the rear PDC functions when on. That all happens automatically if you plug in a trailer to the OEM system.

[kolosy]

was the wiring harness always a $900 part? i did this on the X3 and it was $200 at most. nuts.

[Ben Comer]

I just called the dealer with a request to add a hitch to my 2022 X7 4.0, and they told me that there is no option to do so unless I ordered it from the factory with the hitch option. I find that hard to believe! Would love to hear from others with experience adding a hitch to a 2022 X7 4.0i.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by Ben Comer

I just called the dealer with a request to add a hitch to my 2022 X7 4.0, and they told me that there is no option to do so unless I ordered it from the factory with the hitch option. I find that hard to believe! Would love to hear from others with experience adding a hitch to a 2022 X7 4.0i.

While it is possible, it is very expensive compared to having it built in. The factory includes:
- heavier duty front brakes
- the wiring harness
- the electronics module
- the hitch
- different rear bumper cover

Older versions came prewired to enable plugging in the electronics, so it was a fairly easy upgrade by the dealership, but in most markets, BMW does not include the make ready for towing on the current X5.

Depending on the brakes in your vehicle, it may not require upgraded front brakes to match OEM capabilities.

There are the mechanical hitches that can be added, and some aftermarket electronics if you need them, but matching OEM is quite involved if you try to do it after the vehicle is built.