OEM Hitch Install Question

[jml]

I am "amused" at the utter lack of knowledge the dealers have in what parts are needed to install an OEM tow hitch on a F85. My dealer is telling me that in addition to the three primary parts (wiring harness, cross bar, and Trailer light controller) I also need an M-sport diffuser??? Does that sound right? It's over a grand!. Thanks for any real-world experience!

[tastelid]

You should not have to change your bumper / diffuser at all. I would consider the execu-hitch though. It is completely invisible unless you're using it, and doesn't require any mods to the bumper or diffuser.

Contrast this with the OEM hitch that is always visible. Not my cup of texas tea...

[VGM6]

Does anyone have any details on the maximum towing capacity that the execuhitch can handle? The car itself is able to handle around 6000lb from what I've read but I've read that the stock hitch can only handle towing 3500lb. I could be wrong though

[tastelid]

There are a couple (or three?) classes of OEM hitch. Scaling up from least to most capacity.

A simple visit to the execuhitch site would have answered your question: http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/bm...g-harness.html

It maxes out the car's towing capacity at 6000lbs.

[VGM6]

Originally Posted by tastelid

There are a couple (or three?) classes of OEM hitch. Scaling up from least to most capacity.

A simple visit to the execuhitch site would have answered your question: http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/bm...g-harness.html

It maxes out the car's towing capacity at 6000lbs.

My mistake I had confused Execuhitch and Invisihitch but looks like this product is exactly what I've been looking for! Thanks!

[tastelid]

Make sure you ask your dealer if they will install it, if you aren't doing it yourself. Mine had to be talked into it, and wouldn't give me a firm quote...

[hoosierx5m]

Yep get the Invisihitch its awesome. Just installed one on my 17. This is there phone number 678-400-0121. I talked to Steve, very good guy.

[Alberta]

Too bad you guys can't get this one , in Murica

[SNAGuy]

I have the Execuhitch too and absolutely LOVE it and would not go OEM at all for any amount of savings.

Also I believe that the towing capacity of is great around 7,000 lbs with the Execuhitch but not completely sure about that. I do know that it's greater than the OEM version.

When I get home I will try to remember to look.

[arrivederci]

Have an execuhitch on my current E70 X5d. Will do the same if I buy an F85. Looked at a 2015 with the factory hitch setup. 3300 lbs or so will be fine for a bike rack or small utility trailer, but won't work for an open trailer w/ racecar. Plus I didn't like the look of the factory setup as compared to an execuhitch (which is totally hidden when you are not towing).

[Sotally Tober]

Just ordered an Invisihitch for my F85. Ben at RG Sport Shop will be installing it once the beast arrives.

[jml]

I saw a thread on the invisihitch, where two guys had theirs fail in a bad way:

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...1025750&page=6

Also, there was some sketchiness on delivery and responsiveness of the company recently that scared me off.

The new OEM unit, as far as I can tell, is more similar to the invisihitch design than with the E70 design, in that where there is no adapter installed, there is not much you can see.

Thanks for the info on the diffuser tastelid!

[G80POWER]

Steve at Execuhitch is great to work with and I have mine installed on my X6M and you can't see it at all. Much better than the stock BMW one and I regularly tow my Malibu Wakesetter around 5,000lbs with no issues. As far as I know the hitch will not work with any of the aftermarket carbon fiber diffusors.

[mgaciah]

Originally Posted by Can-am

Too bad you guys can't get this one , in Murica

Have same one in Costa Rica... it is great, my only claim is that this EU version comes only with a small hole in the hook to place to safe chains, regular hooks does not fit in them so I had to change them

[jml]

Had an OEM unit installed last week. Here are the parts they used:

82712349501 - Class 3 2" Ball receiver module. On the module it says it has a 600lb vertical limit, and 6000 lb towing limit. This is a bit less than the E70...I wonder why.
71606874848 - Control Unit (though I assumed this was superceeded by 9426)
82712349499 - Cross Member
82712349500 - Wiring Harness
07147293278 - Expanding Rivet

Pricing was way better than I was led to believe. My dealer matches to online prices, so with labor and BMWCCA discount it was very reasonable. For some reason the dealers I talked to thought they needed a different diffuser.

I do not like the design, it's going to take me a while before I trust it with my track car and trailer. The way the receiver modules interface and lock into place looks like a design that is not intrinsically safe. The locking mechanism on both receivers I bought have defective visual indicators and don't lock with the keys. Might be operator error.

[gizmo958]

looking good . i wanted one of these at time of spec but changed my mind in the end . definitely worth getting

[RPI-M5]

Originally Posted by jml

Had an OEM unit installed last week. Here are the parts they used:

82712349501 - Class 3 2" Ball receiver module. On the module it says it has a 600lb vertical limit, and 6000 lb towing limit. This is a bit less than the E70...I wonder why.
71606874848 - Control Unit (though I assumed this was superceeded by 9426)
82712349499 - Cross Member
82712349500 - Wiring Harness
07147293278 - Expanding Rivet

Pricing was way better than I was led to believe. My dealer matches to online prices, so with labor and BMWCCA discount it was very reasonable. For some reason the dealers I talked to thought they needed a different diffuser.

I do not like the design, it's going to take me a while before I trust it with my track car and trailer. The way the receiver modules interface and lock into place looks like a design that is not intrinsically safe. The locking mechanism on both receivers I bought have defective visual indicators and don't lock with the keys. Might be operator error.

I am getting the OEM hitch installed on Tuesday. Looking at your pictures, it seems the design reduces the ground clearance of the rear of the vehicle. Have you noticed this or any associated issues?

Also, looks like you can unscrew the lower assembly when not in use. Have you tried this?

[G80POWER]

Originally Posted by jml

Had an OEM unit installed last week. Here are the parts they used:

82712349501 - Class 3 2" Ball receiver module. On the module it says it has a 600lb vertical limit, and 6000 lb towing limit. This is a bit less than the E70...I wonder why.
71606874848 - Control Unit (though I assumed this was superceeded by 9426)
82712349499 - Cross Member
82712349500 - Wiring Harness
07147293278 - Expanding Rivet

Pricing was way better than I was led to believe. My dealer matches to online prices, so with labor and BMWCCA discount it was very reasonable. For some reason the dealers I talked to thought they needed a different diffuser.

I do not like the design, it's going to take me a while before I trust it with my track car and trailer. The way the receiver modules interface and lock into place looks like a design that is not intrinsically safe. The locking mechanism on both receivers I bought have defective visual indicators and don't lock with the keys. Might be operator error.


Attachment 1502627

Attachment 1502628

Attachment 1502629

Attachment 1502630

I hate the BMW stock design and it is same concept with the exechitch how it clicks in but it is completely hidden and you don't see anything unless you have the hitch clicked in. I hate looking at the hitch crossmember all the time and is why I didn't by the stock one

[G80POWER]

Originally Posted by RPI-X5

I am getting the OEM hitch installed on Tuesday. Looking at your pictures, it seems the design reduces the ground clearance of the rear of the vehicle. Have you noticed this or any associated issues?

Also, looks like you can unscrew the lower assembly when not in use. Have you tried this?

If not too late I would highly recommend you get the execuhitch instead unless you like looking at the hitch assembly all the time. I am sure others on this forum that have installed the execuhitch will chime in. It functions exactly the same but is completely hidden

[arrivederci]

Originally Posted by ScottX6M

If not too late I would highly recommend you get the execuhitch instead unless you like looking at the hitch assembly all the time. I am sure others on this forum that have installed the execuhitch will chime in. It functions exactly the same but is completely hidden

Execuhitch functions better. The factory one I saw has a 3300 lb tow limit. Weak sauce...

[spike5150]

I have Oem hitch on my F15. The adapter with the integral 2" ball mount is good to 600/6000 lbs. the one that can take a 2" square standard ball mount is only good to 3500 lbs.

[arrivederci]

Originally Posted by spike5150

I have Oem hitch on my F15. The adapter with the integral 2" ball mount is good to 600/6000 lbs. the one that can take a 2" square standard ball mount is only good to 3500 lbs.

Ah good to know that the one I saw wasn't the only option. I have an execuhitch arriving this week. Will try to install this weekend.