I've seen some of you towing with your E31s. How did you get the tow hitch installed? Any pictures?

Thanks...

It was an offered option in Europe. The tow ball actually screwed into a receiver under the rear valence cover (where you normally put th eyebolt)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1074907&highlight=hitch

The factory hitch adapter has been discontinued and apparently is very difficult to source.

Mine was based off of the factory design, using the plate under the bumper to attach the hitch pickup. I gusseted the top, sides, and back so it can sustain a fair amount of tongue weight. I've yet to do any calculations on it as it's a fairly complex shape but I would estimate 500lbs would be very safe.

The factory ball was limited to about 200lbs IIRC because of the "U" shape that the tow ball hooked up with [to clear the underside of the bumper] and the stresses that this [and towing] would have induced on it. The factory hitch was also rated to almost 5,000lbs towing capacity, plenty for a small wakeboarding or skiing boat.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1074907&highlight=hitch

The factory hitch adapter has been discontinued and apparently is very difficult to source.

Mine was based off of the factory design, using the plate under the bumper to attach the hitch pickup. I gusseted the top, sides, and back so it can sustain a fair amount of tongue weight. I've yet to do any calculations on it as it's a fairly complex shape but I would estimate 500lbs would be very safe.

The factory ball was limited to about 200lbs IIRC because of the "U" shape that the tow ball hooked up with [to clear the underside of the bumper] and the stresses that this [and towing] would have induced on it. The factory hitch was also rated to almost 5,000lbs towing capacity, plenty for a small wakeboarding or skiing boat.


OMG I love that trailer! :lol

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking to tow a motorcycle trailer with 1 or 2 sportsbikes on it. Each motorcycle is a little over 400 lbs but am not sure how heavy the trailer is. Is that too much?

I don't think you will have a problem. Here is a pic or two posted by 8Harry8 just recently:

http://www.cafeamwehrgang.de/fbilder/zug1.jpg

http://www.cafeamwehrgang.de/fbilder/zu2.jpg



We will let him slide on the trailer, he could have at least used BMW wheels instead of those MB rims... :)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1074907&highlight=hitch

The factory hitch adapter has been discontinued and apparently is very difficult to source.

Mine was based off of the factory design, using the plate under the bumper to attach the hitch pickup. I gusseted the top, sides, and back so it can sustain a fair amount of tongue weight. I've yet to do any calculations on it as it's a fairly complex shape but I would estimate 500lbs would be very safe.

The factory ball was limited to about 200lbs IIRC because of the "U" shape that the tow ball hooked up with [to clear the underside of the bumper] and the stresses that this [and towing] would have induced on it. The factory hitch was also rated to almost 5,000lbs towing capacity, plenty for a small wakeboarding or skiing boat.

Hey Bryson,

Are there any pictures of your design "under the bumper"? I'd like to see the hidden modifications. Thanks...

Hello Shawn

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking to tow a motorcycle trailer with 1 or 2 sportsbikes on it. Each motorcycle is a little over 400 lbs but am not sure how heavy the trailer is. Is that too much?


With a special permission of BMW we are allowed to pull 2,1 t
Don´t know the laws in the States...

One of my best 8-series friends Jochen visited me last year:

http://www.cafeamwehrgang.de/fbilder/Jochen2.JPG



Don´t know if you have to register - BTW, why not :)
For watching pics there´s no use to understand german...

http://forum.clube31.de/viewtopic.php?t=7318&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=boot&start=0&sid=e0273018d80f604d9db9825a299aa954

It´s an instruction how to mount a tow hitch.


What about two Harleys? :D

Hey Bryson,

Are there any pictures of your design "under the bumper"? I'd like to see the hidden modifications. Thanks...

In a moment of brilliance, I didn't take any photos with the bumper off or of the modified setup alone, but I can do my best to snap a few that look up through the access hole in the bottom of the valance

Towing that boat with that beautiful car is one of the craziest things I have ever seen,,,:lol The roof mount ski box looks cool though,, I guess the boat ramps over there must be a lot less steep, because many ramps in the US
there is no way with a boat that size the car would get any traction with "performance tires"....

Happy-Motoring

DMP:checkered

What about two Harleys? :D

Harleys? Ummm, never.

I'll stick to my Italian sportbikes. :buttrock

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1074907&highlight=hitch

The factory hitch adapter has been discontinued and apparently is very difficult to source.

Mine was based off of the factory design, using the plate under the bumper to attach the hitch pickup. I gusseted the top, sides, and back so it can sustain a fair amount of tongue weight. I've yet to do any calculations on it as it's a fairly complex shape but I would estimate 500lbs would be very safe.

The factory ball was limited to about 200lbs IIRC because of the "U" shape that the tow ball hooked up with [to clear the underside of the bumper] and the stresses that this [and towing] would have induced on it. The factory hitch was also rated to almost 5,000lbs towing capacity, plenty for a small wakeboarding or skiing boat.

great trailer

@ DMP - it´s slipped by crane usually, because it´s to slippery, when wet :D
You haven´t got a ski box for the 8???

@ Shawn - Duc 888 ;-) would be stylish!

@ Shawn - Duc 888 ;-) would be stylish!

I'd love to have an 888...those are so hard to find here. I only have a 1995 Ducati 916 and a 2004 Aprilia RSV1000R.

8Harry8,

No Need For A Ski Box For Me Here In Sunny South Florida...

I Looks Cool Though..

DMP

8Harry8,

No Need For A Ski Box For Me Here In Sunny South Florida...

I Looks Cool Though..

DMP

Okay, good excuse! :)

Florida sounds good, veeeeeeery good! How far is Tampa from you?

Do you(or someone else) know http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Mirabella.Motors.813-258-9010

8Harry8,

No Need For A Ski Box For Me Here In Sunny South Florida...

I Looks Cool Though..

DMP


Those are probably water skis he has in there....

Tampa about three hour Northwest, if you are behaving...(speed limit wise) LOL

Tampa about three hour Northwest, if you are behaving...(speed limit wise) LOL


Oh, might be a little to far for my "assassination" - explanation comming soon at the convertibles... :)

It was an offered option in Europe. The tow ball actually screwed into a receiver under the rear valence cover (where you normally put th eyebolt)

Hey man, I really wanto to buy a get ski, but need that hitch/tow bar for my 840. Can you tell me what's the part number of this hitch because I can't find it in real oem or bmwfans. I see that I have a round hole under the rear bumber and something can be screwed in, but I didn't think it would be a hitch. Anyhow, the jetski and trailer probably won't exceed 500lbs, so it doesn't have to be that strong.

Hey man, I really wanto to buy a get ski, but need that hitch/tow bar for my 840. Can you tell me what's the part number of this hitch because I can't find it in real oem or bmwfans. I see that I have a round hole under the rear bumber and something can be screwed in, but I didn't think it would be a hitch. Anyhow, the jetski and trailer probably won't exceed 500lbs, so it doesn't have to be that strong.

the tow hitch is no longer available from bmw and is rated to above 4000lbs IIRC. Your best bet for factory is to find one used off of a european 8

Anyhow, the jetski and trailer probably won't exceed 500lbs, so it doesn't have to be that strong.

:) 500 lbs only? Pregnant or not! A little pregnant is impossible! :D

For boats/avocation I have the permission of BMW to pull 2100kg.

The tow hitch is available new at the stealer, but not the control modul :banghead:

Try it at xbay, but be fast!

The tow hitch is available new at the stealer

I stand corrected, my search came up NLA

New at the stealerthip will cost me dear... any part number, name (english/german), description, picture, or other models that it would fit to? Anyone selling a used one...? There're a bunch for e34 on ebay, but no idea if they're the correct ones..

New at the stealerthip will cost me dear... any part number, name (english/german), description, picture, or other models that it would fit to? Anyone selling a used one...? There're a bunch for e34 on ebay, but no idea if they're the correct ones..

:) http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E31/Coupe/Europe/850Ci-M70/LHD/A/1992/june/browse/equipment_parts/towing_hitch_detachable/

E31 only!

Great... looks pricey!... What about electricals... don't even want to go there....
What about the round hole in the lower part of the rear bumper? Is just to screw in the hook for towing another vehicle?

Great... looks pricey!... What about electricals... don't even want to go there....
What about the round hole in the lower part of the rear bumper? Is just to screw in the hook for towing another vehicle?

I used a universal harness from u-haul - $6
My trailer has LED tail lights, so I don't get tail light out errors in the MID, regular bulbs will throw the computer in the car off