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      05-15-2020, 02:01 PM   #1
rothwem
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OEM Trailer Hitch Retrofit?

My sister in law just got a new leftover 2019 X5. She's not going to be towing with it at all, so she didn't pick one out with the towing package. She does want to put a hitch for her bike rack on it though, but she's (rightfully, IMO) worried that with all of the electronics in the rear tailgate/bumper area, an aftermarket hitch would mess with her warranty. She wants OEM only, installed by a dealer. However, her local dealer says that the retrofit doesn't exist? Is this true?

I don't have any experience with the G05s, just the E-series vehicles, and I know that the dealer will do a retrofit of an E70 or E83 with no issues. Is there something weird on the G05s that would prevent it from having the hitch installed? I see P/N 51126889278 on getbmwparts.com for the US version of the trailer hitch.
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      05-16-2020, 06:42 AM   #2
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There is an after-factory OEM factory hitch option, have a look at the pics below.

I actually think its better than the factory hitch because its hidden and removable when not in use, which keeps aesthetic look of the rear clean.
The only downside is it's not rated to tow 3500kgs, only 2700kgs - but more than enough for my needs.

Best to get the dealer to do it, because it needs to be coded into the vehicles ECUs, which also enables a "trailer mode" which disables the rear distance sensors and co-ordinates the trailer with the cars safety systems.
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      05-16-2020, 01:09 PM   #3
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Stealth Hitches

I strongly recommend Stealth Hitches. Had one on my X4 M40i and just installed one on my X5 M50i. You can buy a kit with a receiver, a ball, or both. Very easy to install and rated to 8,000 for towing.
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      05-16-2020, 01:43 PM   #4
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Reminder on this thread that factory BMW hitch in US, Canada, and maybe some other markets is completely different than rest of the world. The OP is in US and I suspect the request assumes a US version, which is a female receiver.

Interestingly, I believe that's the first time I am seeing the after-factory OEM version in the style James_G0530d shows. No idea if that will fit a US car, but I doubt it.
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      05-16-2020, 05:32 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sanchezldo View Post
I strongly recommend Stealth Hitches. Had one on my X4 M40i and just installed one on my X5 M50i. You can buy a kit with a receiver, a ball, or both. Very easy to install and rated to 8,000 for towing.
Can you see yours when not in use? That was my one complaint with the X5 was there was no plate to cover the area when the hitch was removed. My prior vehicle had all the same sensors but you could pull the hitch out & put the cover on.

We don't tow in my vehicle often but it's nice not to take my husbands F-250 on a 4 hour road trip to tow the fishing boat.
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      05-16-2020, 09:01 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LexxM3 View Post
No idea if that will fit a US car, but I doubt it.
The tow bar fitted to my car also has a female receiver under the rear bumper.

The installation is quite involved, and involves removing the rear bumper and replacing the crash-bar with a version that has the towbar receiver.

I've attached the installation instructions - not that I would attempt to do it myself - I recommend getting the dealer to do it, and code it properly into the ECU so it integrates with all the cars safety systems.

The towbar system itself is made by Westfalia (made in Germany) - and BMW supplies and fits this as their OEM, at least here in Australia.


I'm curious as to why you say this wouldn't fit the U.S cars?

..I mean our cars come off the same production line from Spartanburg SC?
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File Type: pdf X5_towbar_Installation_Guide_303484691102-303485 001.pdf (13.17 MB, 1418 views)
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      05-17-2020, 05:43 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sanchezldo View Post
I strongly recommend Stealth Hitches. Had one on my X4 M40i and just installed one on my X5 M50i. You can buy a kit with a receiver, a ball, or both. Very easy to install and rated to 8,000 for towing.
She's really worried about her warranty, that's why she wants an OEM option, installed by the dealer. She got 10,000 off on the car too, so I guess she doesn't feel too bad paying $1000 to have a hitch installed.

She also needs the 2" receiver type, not the ball. This is really only going to be used with a bike rack.
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      05-17-2020, 04:07 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James_G0530d View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LexxM3 View Post
No idea if that will fit a US car, but I doubt it.
The tow bar fitted to my car also has a female receiver under the rear bumper.

The installation is quite involved, and involves removing the rear bumper and replacing the crash-bar with a version that has the towbar receiver.

I've attached the installation instructions - not that I would attempt to do it myself - I recommend getting the dealer to do it, and code it properly into the ECU so it integrates with all the cars safety systems.

The towbar system itself is made by Westfalia (made in Germany) - and BMW supplies and fits this as their OEM, at least here in Australia.


I'm curious as to why you say this wouldn't fit the U.S cars?

..I mean our cars come off the same production line from Spartanburg SC?
I am glad you stated that you attached the instructions as the stupid Bimmerpost App doesn't even give you a hint that a post has non-image attachments. That should be SOP: if you attach anything other than pictures, state that you've attached something (better SOP is for the Bimmerpost App be fixed in the next decade or two).

Looking at instructions, it actually doesn't look that bad at all as DYI (I was expecting welding, but it's just a bolt-on) — assuming of course that your specific car is set up for it. Sounds like AU models definitely are ready, but it is even odds in my mind whether US markets models are setup the same. I don't know either way, but BMW constantly does weird things with market models, and not just software, including mechanics. The fact that US and non-US have different stock hitches is a factor. Or there might be a sensor or a piece of trim that gets in the way. Or the sensor electronics get confused. No idea, but BMW often makes their own and others' lives complicated, that's the only reason for my caution statement.

It is also interesting that BMW Australia considers these OEM. It is definitely not made by BMW, however, but rather Westfalia Automotive and I also doubt that BMWNA is going to consider that "OEM" in US. Interestingly it is available in US regardless: https://etowbars.com/Towbars/BMW/X5/...-X5-G05-Towbar UPDATE: I take that back, it is NOT available for shipment to either US or Canada! Site says "no shipping options available" if you select either country and it's not on their list of shippable destinations.

Lastly, I don't see how a female receiver is setup on this from photos so far or instructions. Would you please post installed photos of yours in all positions for posterity.
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      05-17-2020, 09:49 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James_G0530d View Post
The tow bar fitted to my car also has a female receiver under the rear bumper.
North American hitch receiver is quite different. It is a 2 inch square and orientated rearward horizontally. There is also a socket with the hitch package for electric connection.

Quote:
I'm curious as to why you say this wouldn't fit the U.S cars?
..I mean our cars come off the same production line from Spartanburg SC?
They can have many variations of the car even in the same production line. For example, North American hitch package requires a different bumper. And there are many customized differences to cater to different regions/countries regulation requirement. So it is not a given than an Australia parts would fit a US car.
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      06-04-2020, 11:19 PM   #10
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Has anyone ever found out if the North American OEM hutch can be added as a retrofit? And if so, what parts are required for both the hitch and the bumper?
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      06-05-2020, 08:33 PM   #11
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It is not yet available for retrofit.

Your best bet is Stealth Hitch. I've had them on my E70 and my G05 - they make a very high quality product.

By law in the U.S., your warranty cannot be invalidated due to an aftermarket part unless the manufacturer is able to show a direct link between the part and the failure. Check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus...s_Warranty_Act
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      06-06-2020, 08:30 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba View Post
It is not yet available for retrofit.

Your best bet is Stealth Hitch. I've had them on my E70 and my G05 - they make a very high quality product.

By law in the U.S., your warranty cannot be invalidated due to an aftermarket part unless the manufacturer is able to show a direct link between the part and the failure. Check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus...s_Warranty_Act
Stealth hitch is probably the best option and for looks. However, I don’t think they have an OE BMW factory harness available. Stealth need to offer this option.
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      06-06-2020, 09:24 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by denaliman View Post
Stealth hitch is probably the best option and for looks. However, I don’t think they have an OE BMW factory harness available. Stealth need to offer this option.
You're correct that Stealth don't have a BMW harness option available yet. I've been emailing back and forth with them for a little while and they're working on getting the parts needed so that they can get a package together.

I chose to go with a Stealth Rack install and am awaiting their Tow conversion kit with BMW harness (as they've had for previous X5 models). It's a little more pricey this way, but I'd like to keep with the BMW electronics.

No word on when the BMW harness will be available yet though I'm afraid.
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      06-07-2020, 08:47 AM   #14
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So my sister in law just let me know she got the hitch installed at a different BMW dealership. I'm assuming it's OEM, or at least an OEM accessory? I don't think she got the wiring, she just wants it for a bike rack. So far she's thrilled.

No pics yet, but I am curious what they installed. I told her to keep her paperwork so that if she gets any grief later on, she can show them that it was installed by an authorized technician at a dealership.
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      06-07-2020, 06:03 PM   #15
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So I wasn't happy with the stock tow hitch either but it appears they now have a hide away oem US version.
Has anyone tried this yet?
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      06-08-2020, 07:09 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by Mjbmw1 View Post
So I wasn't happy with the stock tow hitch either but it appears they now have a hide away OEM US version.
Has anyone tried this yet?
Oh wow! Well that's a good find. It does look like the goodeneck is fixed though and perhaps is for towing only. I don't see the typical 2" square hitch that I'd expect for a US vehicle.

Haven't checked yet, but I'm curious if those other part numbers for the controller etc, are different from previous ones I'd found (and sent to Steve @ Stealth)
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      06-08-2020, 07:27 PM   #17
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Very curious to see the actual product and to know if it interfaces properly with the idrive!
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      06-10-2020, 07:42 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mjbmw1 View Post
So I wasn't happy with the stock tow hitch either but it appears they now have a hide away oem US version.
Has anyone tried this yet?
That's the hitch for non-US markets. I've never seen that installed on a US vehicle. I am not sure I'd want that on my vehicle unless I could change out the ball size (different trailers have different size ball couplers).

What I'm really interested in is that BMW San Antonio somehow got the wiring harness (61-12-9-834-453) which multiple dealers have told me is not yet available / on national backorder. I may have to give them a call!
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      06-12-2020, 11:18 AM   #19
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No that hitch is US market it says it when you look up part numbers. Also in the US you cannot lookup European part numbers and vice versa. I am in Germany and they cannot look at any US parts or Order. I have tried 10 dealers.

I also have a quote from Dallas
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      06-12-2020, 12:38 PM   #20
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Ok, someone order one and then we’ll know for sure. Nobody up North I’ve spoken to can find anything available.
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      06-25-2020, 09:08 AM   #21
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I am talking with BMW Toronto (Canada) on ordering the following for my 2019 X5 40iX.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=71_1114
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      06-28-2020, 03:25 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawzy44 View Post
I am talking with BMW Toronto (Canada) on ordering the following for my 2019 X5 40iX.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=71_1114
This looks like the factory hitch for 45e in Canada.
But do you only use it for towing?
I am not happy about the lack of 2" receiver as many of the hitch accessories I am using would no longer work like my bike carrier and cargo carrier.
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