BMW Class III hitch

[ictx5]

Pictures are of the Class III BMW hitch. Although it is not invisible it does look better than a 2" receiver. But maybe a bit less flexible in terms of different ball sizes and bike racks. We are not interested in either so this works fine. I was pleasantly surprised at the view without the ball on. Sorry 2 of the pics are rotated.

[iamthestig]

Just FYI, you can get a BMW Rear Transport Class II 2" Square Receiver Tube for bike racks and towing up to 3500 pounds with different ball sizes. It replaces the removable piece shown in your pics. Tischer sells it for $250.

[ChipB]

I'm curious if you're thinking of using an electric brake controller, and if so - how does it connect into the BMW wiring?

[ictx5]

I am not going to be using a brake controller. I think I saw somewhere that BMW does not have one or support one... but I did see an aftermarket solution there. Wish I could point you there. I am not very well versed in brake controlling.

[someguy]

please rotate your photos that are sideways.

[ictx5]

someguy...Preview showed that I had them oriented correctly. There is not an edit function that will rotate them that I am smart enough to see.

[ChipB]

Your Class III hitch doesn't look like the "Class III Towing Adapter" that BMW shows on its web site for the F15:

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/43...cessories.aspx

Is the ball adjustable in height to match the height of the trailer tongue?

[ictx5]

The link you posted was to the Class III hitch. It is the same one as I have. The ball has two positions that are about 2" apart. Mine is set on the high setting. Have to remove 2 bolts to move. I took the photos from different angles to show how far it sits out. From the link you posted on bmwusa the picture makes it appear to sit right against the rear bumper, but as you can see it does sit out a few.

[ChipB]

Thanks. Given that there are only two positions is one of them appropriate for 20" hitch ball height (i.e. height to bottom of the trailer tongue)?

[ictx5]

The top of the ball is 19.5" on the highest position. 17.5" at the lowest position. Just put it on and put the tape measure to it.

[X5Junky]

Originally Posted by ictx5

someguy...Preview showed that I had them oriented correctly. There is not an edit function that will rotate them that I am smart enough to see.

Thanks for sharing those pics. Hard to believe that this post to this date is the only good one with proper pictures showing the mount.

I am ordering this hitch tomorrow for 2017 X5 and was wondering, have you notice it ever bend or rather bend over time and hit the bumper, causing damage/marks? It does look awfully close to the bumper.

[SpeedN8]

Originally Posted by X5Junky

Thanks for sharing those pics. Hard to believe that this post to this date is the only good one with proper pictures showing the mount.

I am ordering this hitch tomorrow for 2017 X5 and was wondering, have you notice it ever bend or rather bend over time and hit the bumper, causing damage/marks? It does look awfully close to the bumper.

Mine has never bent. I've had quite the heavy load on it too. You're going to love towing toys with that 35d.

EDIT: Also, if you have trailer brakes, I'd recommend buying this sweet wireless brake controller. https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-9025...+towing+brakes

[alphaod]

I always tell people, don't bother with the factory hitch. I think it's ridiculous I have to use a lower rated square receive if I want the flexibility of both a bike rack and towing (unless I carry the Class III ball around—I don't, it's heavy).

[mgbabe]

I am new here as we took delivery of our 2017 xDrive40e in March. At that time we had the factory Class III hitch installed like the one pictured at the top of this thread.

We just towed our ~4000lb boat and trailer this weekend and this combo pulled it no sweat. (unlike our previous tow vehicle that always seemed to labour to pull it) The xDrive40e didn't seem to even notice it was pulling anything; we even were able to pull it on electric drive only until we ran out of juice. I am very impressed.

[Florida-X3]

We bought our CPO '14 a year ago and it came with the OEM hitch part that mounts to the frame and all the electronic components. Missing were the detachable Ball mount or Receiver. At the moment I don't have anything to tow but I do have a platform carrier I would like to use. If I do need to tow it would be a very small utility trailer (for mulch, etc) or hopefully a single wave runner. I was thinking of just getting the receiver part and could slide a traditional ball into the receiver if need be. Anyone see any issues with this (as long as I stay within the class II rating)?

[Barry_S]

Digging up an old post to see how you guys handled matching the ball height with the OEM hitch. It's only adjustable by 2" and on my 35d it sits at 20" on the highest setting.

I have a TT on order and the manufacturer says the ball height needs to be at 26 1/4".

I don't see a way to deal with this when using the OEM hitch.

Is there a way?

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by Barry_S

Digging up an old post to see how you guys handled matching the ball height with the OEM hitch. It's only adjustable by 2" and on my 35d it sits at 20" on the highest setting.

I have a TT on order and the manufacturer says the ball height needs to be at 26 1/4".

I don't see a way to deal with this when using the OEM hitch.

Is there a way?

I'm thinking an in between taller thick steel plate with matching holes drilled might be the only way to raise the ball. But now you are dealing with a different vertical fulcrum point, which can cause excessive force issues where the ball arm mounts to the vehicle. If you only had to raise it 1-2", I don't believe there would be any issue, but 6"+, and I would be worried about things breaking if you had any sway.

You are better off getting a Reese or similar receiver hitch installed, and using a ball mount capable of using taller ball mounts.?
Or, if you prefer it to be hidden, see if the Stealth Hitch with the taller ball mount would work.

[Barry_S]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

I'm thinking an in between taller thick steel plate with matching holes drilled might be the only way to raise the ball. But now you are dealing with a different vertical fulcrum point, which can cause excessive force issues where the ball arm mounts to the vehicle. If you only had to raise it 1-2", I don't believe there would be any issue, but 6"+, and I would be worried about things breaking if you had any sway.

You are better off getting a Reese or similar receiver hitch installed, and using a ball mount capable of using taller ball mounts.?
Or, if you prefer it to be hidden, see if the Stealth Hitch with the taller ball mount would work.

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking the same thing and don't believe the OEM hitch is going to work.

I've looked at the Stealth Hitch as well and their standard height is only 18" with all other options being lower.

Looks like I'm going to have to replace the OEM with a standard 2" receiver.

[F15GorDe]

Originally Posted by Barry_S

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking the same thing and don't believe the OEM hitch is going to work.

I've looked at the Stealth Hitch as well and their standard height is only 18" with all other options being lower.

Looks like I'm going to have to replace the OEM with a standard 2" receiver.

Call and talk to Steve at STEALTH. He was very helpful at his prior employer when it came to concerns such as you have here. I would be very surprised if he did not have a solution for you.

[woosolow]

Hey fellows... does anyone know what's the correct pounds of torque is required to tighten up the bolts after adjusting the height on the tow ball. Thanks

[RED_Y_]

I will have to go check mine in the storage but I think it says right on top of it.

[C21964]

Had this same OEM hitch installed (retrofitted) to our 2018 X6M. I have both the 2" and 2 5/8" balls. Seems like a lot of TT and Airstream use the 2 5/8". At the top setting the hitch height works with a Winni Micro Mini and 20' Airstream.

Also had the dealer install the BMW trailer wiring harness and "BMW" brake controller.

All seems to work well and have towed with up to 550 lb tongue weight.

The dealer did the reprogramming after installation which apparently includes a trailer connected recognition and implements certain sway control parameters when trailer is connected.

Couple of electronic questions though for those who have the OEM BMW setup on X5/X6.

-Is there a 7-way tester that works with euro cars? The one I tried would not work and it temporarily disabled automatic headlights (OK after 3 ignition cycles).

-When a trailer is connected the HUD speed display does not work (just displays dashes). Anyone else have this issue?

-Are there any other potential electronics issues to look for?

thanks (first time posting here)