BMW X5 and X6 Forum 2014-Current
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-17-2015, 08:26 PM   #1
Ninjaoz
Major
Ninjaoz's Avatar
Australia
79
Rep
1,123
Posts

Drives: E39 540i, E90 320d,F15 30d
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 320d  [10.00]
OEM F15 X5 Mechanical Towbar (hitch) fitted

Hi All

I just picked up my X5 from my local dealership after spending 2 days fitting and programming a OEM factory towbar to my X5.

We've decided to go with the mechanical detachable towbar as oppose to the electric after taking into the cost and reliability factor.

The kit compromise of a LED adaptor, Tow bar (Westfalia brand with a BMW approved sticker), Retrofit Kit and a control unit.

Overall, I am quite impressed with the useability and appearance. The installation does not require any cutting of the bumper as I have a Msport F15 X5 - this was my biggest concern!

The tongue itself is fully detachable vertically, and the whole unit along with the plug is completely hidden away underneath the bumper when not used.

I will try to upload some photos once I get home from work.
Appreciate 0
      03-17-2015, 11:23 PM   #2
Ninjaoz
Major
Ninjaoz's Avatar
Australia
79
Rep
1,123
Posts

Drives: E39 540i, E90 320d,F15 30d
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 320d  [10.00]
Ok here are some photos
Attached Images
    

Last edited by Ninjaoz; 03-18-2015 at 07:32 AM..
Appreciate 0
      03-18-2015, 06:58 PM   #3
c3uo
Private First Class
39
Rep
151
Posts

Drives: 3 Series
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NB

iTrader: (0)

Looks good! To bad we can't get a Westfalia brand hitch here in North America. Nice 3500 kg / 7700 lb tow rating.
Appreciate 0
      03-19-2015, 12:11 AM   #4
invisigoth
Enlisted Member
Australia
21
Rep
30
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 M50d, 2016 M135i LCI
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Looks pretty good! I'm in Canberra and am looking at fitting a tow bar on our X5. How much did it cost to fit the OEM tow bar? Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      07-15-2016, 07:11 AM   #5
ClubbyX5M50d
Enlisted Member
10
Rep
34
Posts

Drives: X5 M50d
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Any luck on the tow hitch in Oz?
Appreciate 0
      07-15-2016, 05:38 PM   #6
alphaod
Mmmmm…
alphaod's Avatar
United_States
1148
Rep
2,426
Posts

Drives: F15
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by c3uo View Post
Looks good! To bad we can't get a Westfalia brand hitch here in North America. Nice 3500 kg / 7700 lb tow rating.
I'm pretty sure my OEM hitch is made by Westfalia. Sadly it's of the failed BMW proprietary hitch system.
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2016, 10:14 PM   #7
Tripperhappy
is just a Regular guy
Tripperhappy's Avatar
Australia
75
Rep
114
Posts

Drives: BMW X5 x25D and 640i Cabrio
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Greatest City in the world

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninjaoz View Post
Hi All

The tongue itself is fully detachable vertically, and the whole unit along with the plug is completely hidden away underneath the bumper when not used.
hey mate, I am considering the manual vs electric towbar, and l like to know how long it takes to detach and attach the manual towbar, and if its difficult to do so.

I am considering the electric version, and have the same concerns like yourself

I am also based in Melbourne Australia.

Thanks in advance
Appreciate 0
      08-08-2016, 05:45 AM   #8
Ninjaoz
Major
Ninjaoz's Avatar
Australia
79
Rep
1,123
Posts

Drives: E39 540i, E90 320d,F15 30d
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 320d  [10.00]
Hi tripper happy

Well it is an easy 2-3 mins job to attach or detach the towbar, it comes with a lock and dustcap when not in used.


Only issue is you will have to knee on the floor to fit it!

Hope this helps.
Appreciate 0
      08-08-2016, 09:44 PM   #9
Tripperhappy
is just a Regular guy
Tripperhappy's Avatar
Australia
75
Rep
114
Posts

Drives: BMW X5 x25D and 640i Cabrio
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Greatest City in the world

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninjaoz View Post
Hi tripper happy

Well it is an easy 2-3 mins job to attach or detach the towbar, it comes with a lock and dustcap when not in used.


Only issue is you will have to knee on the floor to fit it!

Hope this helps.
This helps greatly. Awesome Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      08-08-2016, 10:29 PM   #10
M5Beast_NYC
Major
158
Rep
1,314
Posts

Drives: 15 M5
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NYC

iTrader: (6)

do you have a pic of the actual hitch prior to installing? can you send the part number. im interested in this as its fully hidden.. thx@
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2016, 02:39 AM   #11
ClubbyX5M50d
Enlisted Member
10
Rep
34
Posts

Drives: X5 M50d
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninjaoz
Hi All

I just picked up my X5 from my local dealership after spending 2 days fitting and programming a OEM factory towbar to my X5.

We've decided to go with the mechanical detachable towbar as oppose to the electric after taking into the cost and reliability factor.

The kit compromise of a LED adaptor, Tow bar (Westfalia brand with a BMW approved sticker), Retrofit Kit and a control unit.

Overall, I am quite impressed with the useability and appearance. The installation does not require any cutting of the bumper as I have a Msport F15 X5 - this was my biggest concern!

The tongue itself is fully detachable vertically, and the whole unit along with the plug is completely hidden away underneath the bumper when not used.

I will try to upload some photos once I get home from work.
What is the tow rating?
I'm very interested in one of these. But how do you attach a bike rack?
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2016, 07:30 AM   #12
Ninjaoz
Major
Ninjaoz's Avatar
Australia
79
Rep
1,123
Posts

Drives: E39 540i, E90 320d,F15 30d
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 320d  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by M5Beast_NYC View Post
do you have a pic of the actual hitch prior to installing? can you send the part number. im interested in this as its fully hidden.. thx@
Check out this link

https://www.westfalia-automotive.com...hable-towbars/

The actual hitch is very similar to the one on the Westfalia website other than a BMW logo!

Unfortunately I do not have the part number as I got them fitted at my local BMW dealership. I will try to find the receipt/invoice.
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2016, 07:33 AM   #13
Ninjaoz
Major
Ninjaoz's Avatar
Australia
79
Rep
1,123
Posts

Drives: E39 540i, E90 320d,F15 30d
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 320d  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ClubbyX5M50d View Post
What is the tow rating?
I'm very interested in one of these. But how do you attach a bike rack?
I have a Thule Velocompact Bike rack, here is the video for the installation.

Appreciate 0
      08-24-2016, 08:00 AM   #14
ClubbyX5M50d
Enlisted Member
10
Rep
34
Posts

Drives: X5 M50d
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Thank you, do you know the tow rating?
What state are you in?
Appreciate 0
      08-25-2016, 06:33 AM   #15
Ninjaoz
Major
Ninjaoz's Avatar
Australia
79
Rep
1,123
Posts

Drives: E39 540i, E90 320d,F15 30d
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 320d  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ClubbyX5M50d View Post
Thank you, do you know the tow rating?
What state are you in?
I'm in VIC! Not sure about the tow rating..will have to check what it says on the sticker.
Appreciate 0
      08-25-2016, 07:15 AM   #16
Ninjaoz
Major
Ninjaoz's Avatar
Australia
79
Rep
1,123
Posts

Drives: E39 540i, E90 320d,F15 30d
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 320d  [10.00]
Hey mate, are you planning to install the rear diffuser as well? I'll be interested to know whether there would be any fitment issues.
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2016, 07:14 AM   #17
ClubbyX5M50d
Enlisted Member
10
Rep
34
Posts

Drives: X5 M50d
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninjaoz
Hey mate, are you planning to install the rear diffuser as well? I'll be interested to know whether there would be any fitment issues.
Yes I was till I purchased one off Aliexpress and it was rubbish. So at this stage no.
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2016, 08:20 AM   #18
Barbera335
Captain
168
Rep
660
Posts

Drives: F25
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: socal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by c3uo View Post
Looks good! To bad we can't get a Westfalia brand hitch here in North America. Nice 3500 kg / 7700 lb tow rating.
The reason the tow rating can be so high is because trailers outside of North America have much lower tongue weights than North American trailers. This also makes the trailer much less stable at speed than North American trailers. They are much more apt to trailer sway, but speed limits for vehicles towing are lower in these countries than in NA.
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2018, 05:31 PM   #19
g0p
New Member
g0p's Avatar
0
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: 2017 X5 F15 50i
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Hey NinjaOz

You still there?
Where is the electrical socket in your photos?

Also, what stops some ratbag knocking off your removable hitch?

Thanks mate.
John
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2018, 11:56 PM   #20
9mmkungfu
Captain
196
Rep
842
Posts

Drives: 335d, 535d, 750i, X5 35d
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: United States

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by g0p View Post
Hey NinjaOz

You still there?
Where is the electrical socket in your photos?

Also, what stops some ratbag knocking off your removable hitch?

Thanks mate.
John
If it's anything like other Westfalia hitches, there is usually a key that locks the tow bar in place, and the electrical socket swivels in and out of place.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2021, 08:25 PM   #21
Andy Kaos
New Member
11
Rep
11
Posts

Drives: E86 F85 E31 E46 F34
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ClubbyX5M50d View Post
Any luck on the tow hitch in Oz?
Has anyone fitted a Westfalia to an F85 X5M?
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2022, 06:43 PM   #22
P5 SHN
Registered
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: F15 X5 40D XDrive M Sport
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: Staffordshire

iTrader: (0)

Towbar & Diffuser

Hi all,

Please excuse me if my format is all wrong, I’m new to this ….

I have a F15 X5 MSport, it has no diffuser fitted at present but I am looking to get a fixed swan neck fitted to my car & my question is,
Will a diffuser still fit with a tow bar ?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:19 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST