06-20-2018, 01:26 PM | #1 |
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Tow Hitch selection help
We are getting a new-to-us 2015 X5 M sport. I've read through a bunch of hitch posts here but still have some questions. I've narrowed my hitch selection down to the stealth hitch ($1147 with accessories), and the Curt ($210 with the cheap wiring). Quite a price swing. Other possibilities would be Curt hitch plus OEM wiring.
This will primarily be used for a bike rack and a cargo platform. Occasional trailer work. The X5 is black and I'm not too worried about the Curt hitch showing. I think the wiring is my primary concern. Questions. 1 - Will either of the wiring kits on eTrailer, when coded, turn off parking sensors, alert when bulbs are out, etc.. or do I have to stick to OEM for that functionality? https://www.etrailer.com/t1-2015_BMW_X5.htm 2 - Is the wiring that Stealth sells the same as OEM? Would they both need to be coded the same? 3 - If I went with Curt, is there a bracket available to mount the wiring harness too for the trailer plug in? 4 - Is there a how to for the coding? I've coded my 235i with Esys and Bimmercode. 5 - Based on what I'm looking to use it for, would you go Curt or is the Stealth worth the extra $$? 6 - If I went with the Stealth, what is the difference between their tow attachment and just putting a ball attachment into the 2" receiver? |
06-22-2018, 10:23 PM | #3 |
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I went with the stealth hitch. I got a couple hundred bucks off when they were running a special in January. Install is pretty easy if you're handy and saved a couple hundred bucks. Haven't towed yet, but will be towing a 7,000 lb trailer in August. Harness is OEM. Includes lifetime coding from Code My Car. Coding worked just fine. Don't know if i'd trust a cheap hitch on such a nice vehicle. Same with the harness. You dropped on the vehicle, now drop on the hitch!
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06-23-2018, 08:36 PM | #4 | |
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06-28-2018, 02:00 PM | #5 | |||||
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It's worth figuring out if you already have the towing module installed (mine did) even without the wiring. Quote:
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I'd have to pull bits and pieces of my conversations with Almaretto, but if you have Esys, then yes, you'll able to get it sorted. In short: For the hitch wiring: 1) FA Code 3AC 2) Code the AAG Module to most current CAFD to match the vehicle I-Step level 3) Edit the CAFD to change the entries back to default for the hitch type. This ends up being: 3100 Hitch_Common_1, FA 3101 Hitch_Common_2, 32 4) Code the FDL back into the AAG->CAFD file IIRC, doing the FA coding automatically enabled the trailer zoom option. Feel free to PM for more info. Quote:
All of the "hidden" hitches only offer one fixed height solution per ball size. Moreover their 2" receivers are not intended for full load towing. For a ball-mount I'm using a Fastway Aluminum with a Stainless Curt Ball. I HATE the Northeast oxidation. FWIW, I'm also fairly close to having the ability to make a trailer controller harness that will plug directly into the OEM integration. My Solution: Home made 18' car trailer... Installation Instructions Curt 13077 Hitch 1x 82 71 2 349 500 - Electronics Installation Kit, Towing 1x 71 60 6 884 357 - Control Unit (Already installed in my CPO X5 35d) 8x 07 11 9 906 050 - Hex Nut 8x 07 14 7 293 278 - Rivet, Black HM40978 Bracket Custom aluminum clamp ~3 bucks of 1.5" Aluminum Square bar and a night shooting the shit at a friends basement machine shop. Last edited by X Mon™; 07-02-2018 at 08:06 AM.. Reason: Fotos |
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06-28-2018, 03:04 PM | #6 |
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I have the stealth hitch with the non-oem wiring harness. Couldn’t be happier. When I remove the hitch ball the hitch setup in notmvisible from the rear. Also no cutting was required for my m sport bumper.
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06-28-2018, 08:03 PM | #7 | |
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06-29-2018, 10:21 PM | #8 | |
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My X5 (Rudy) is a CPO that was originally purchased with S8SLA, but was devoid of any wiring. |
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07-04-2018, 04:48 PM | #9 | |
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Last edited by wgxdz; 07-04-2018 at 05:45 PM.. |
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07-04-2018, 05:43 PM | #10 |
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I have the OEM trailer module and wire harness with Reese 44590 hitch.
As I understand, the Reese 44590 is very similar to Curt 13077, both have similar towing rating. The only difference I noticed is the way how they install. The Reese will reuse the original rear impact bar, and Curt requires that impact bar to be removed after installation. Here is how it looks on the back. I used a "carbon fiber" hitch cover and a melanized hitch lock to match the rear diffuser, and I'm pretty happy with the finally result. I love the Stealth and Invisihitch's design, however, I'd rather save extra $300-400 bucks for the "non-hidden" looking. In addition to X Mon™ comment, you can purchase those mounting bracket to secure the wire connector. Links: Hopkins 7- and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Socket No-Drill Mount Bracket, Short No-Drill Mount Bracket, Long I installed the connector under the bumper. It's a little bit far to reach out, but doesn't bother me too much. Last edited by wgxdz; 07-04-2018 at 07:05 PM.. |
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07-05-2018, 12:27 PM | #11 | ||||
Reads books at a 4th grade level; I'm an enabler
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Drives: X5 35d, 335i Msport, X3, 325iX
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Garage List 1993 BMW 525iT [0.00]
1989 BMW 325iX [0.00] 2015 BMW 335i M-Sport [0.00] 2007 BMW X3 M-Sport [0.00] 2015 BMW X5 [0.00] |
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I think the biggest feature I like being the provision for Trailer DRLS. So for daytime driving I'll have my halos on, and the trailer parking lights on, WITHOUT the need to move off auto or have any rear truck lights illuminated. Quote:
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Rather than use the clamp around the hitch style mount, I had the aluminum block made. I like that it keeps the harness and connector tucked up and out of the way, thus less prone to catch on anything under the car, or should I have a high departure angle. Last edited by X Mon™; 07-05-2018 at 12:29 PM.. Reason: Fixed quote coding |
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07-05-2018, 07:40 PM | #12 | |
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07-06-2018, 12:24 PM | #13 |
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I did this research last week and was looking at the BMW factory one as well ($1200-1300 online if you look hard) versus the Uhaul I can get locally for $175... while I didn't get either and decided to sell the X5 instead, I had a hard time justifying 6 times the price to have the hitch hidden since its a daily driver for me. Had the X5 been my primary vehicle and had a bunch done, id be a bit more selective about seeing the hitch likely.
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09-09-2018, 08:21 PM | #14 | |
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09-09-2018, 08:32 PM | #15 | ||
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Metal Steel Tube Cover (Fits 2" Receivers , Carbon Fiber Black look) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FG9FH02..._ILCLBb414ZTWW |
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09-13-2018, 12:14 AM | #16 | |
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The Stealthhitch for example is standard about 18" height, but you can order the ball mount at +2.5", or -2.5" and -5" heights. See their "build your package" page: https://stealthhitches.com/products/...2015-2016-2017 But you are right, you can't use the hidden hitch solutions for towing when you use loadbars, anti swaybars etc. You will need a hitch with a fixed 2" receiver, like the Curt. |
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09-17-2018, 10:31 PM | #17 | |
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/vW1wxonoEjXibA3i7 https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bc67o5RBUXMUWDo28 Oh well. Already on the way back to them. I tried looking up the body-colored fender flare rivets, but didn't have much luck. If your X5 is mineral white, mind sharing the part number for them? |
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09-19-2018, 01:47 AM | #18 | |
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The part# of white rivet is 07147391324. Good luck. |
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09-20-2018, 03:56 PM | #19 | |
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Did any of you purchase BMW part number 71606889589? This is the control unit. I didn't see much mention of it in some passing threads, but that could be due to the other manufacturers (InvisiHitch, Stealt Hitch) potentially already including it. |
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09-20-2018, 05:13 PM | #20 | |
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/9fmgPbuAiQqy7ks59 Although strangely, my other X5 has this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/MedWe34cXGhrvJem6 It has an on/off switch. Slightly off topic, but if anyone knows what this is, please let me know Edited to add: I did need to purchase the trailer module and insert it into the first slot there in the top pic. The box in the second pic is a Power Magic Pro after closer inspection. Last edited by 9mmkungfu; 09-24-2018 at 10:29 AM.. |
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10-16-2018, 04:58 PM | #21 |
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I followed XMon's suggestions after adding my hitch, harness and AAG module.
I coded 3AC and I get the "trailer hitch not secured" message. What did you guys do to remove this?
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10-16-2018, 05:10 PM | #22 | |
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Current BMWs: '16 M3 6mt, '16 535d, '18 X5 35d
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