Towing question for 530xiT

[Alexol]

Hello, everyone,

Been reading for a while, but this is my first post here.

I'd like to buy a 530xiT (or even 535xiT if the '08 prices aren't too much higher) but cannot find any info on towing. Not something that I need to do often, just 2-3 times ayear and only about 1200lbs total weight, but it is something that will control whether or not I can buy an xiT. And no, I'm not going to buy a second vehicle like a truck for occasional use.

I've seen all kinds of BMWs as well as Mercs and even Porsche 911s towing small sailing boats and what have you in Europe, so I know it can be done.

Does anyone have any info that would help? I cannot be the first person to ask this question but haven't found much info.

Thanks in advance...

Alex

[DMahon]

If you haven't gotten a response, you might want to try the forum E60.net. Its a great forum dedicated to the E60 and 61. The folks who hang out on it are really informed on these vehicles.

[White94RX]

do not tow an all wheel drive BMW!!! flatbed is the only way to go.

[Alexol]

do not tow an all wheel drive BMW!!! flatbed is the only way to go.


No, I'm not interested in towing the vehicle, I plan on using the 530 to tow a small trailer.

Alex

[Alexol]

If you haven't gotten a response, you might want to try the forum E60.net. Its a great forum dedicated to the E60 and 61. The folks who hang out on it are really informed on these vehicles.


I'll see what they say...

Alex

[White94RX]

oh, yeah, you could tow something with it. there's dealer installed trailer hitches available for the X5's

[MunichMobile]

the hitch was an option on some non-US E60s. So BMW did make something to fit your car. Call your dealer and see if they know of a way to get you one.

[ckarras]

Dealer told me today that there is no BMW (and no non-BMW option of which he is aware) for a hitch on a 535xiT. Any new word?

[Jaybird180]

I'm looking into something similar. I want to be able to tow 1 or 2 bikes max for a couple of trackdays per year (is that what you're doing). I saw some info for a Class I hitch availble through BMW, but no Clas II. 1200 lbs is still Class I (IIRC).

[Jaybird180]

I saw a European Class I hitch for the E60. Anyone have any updates on this?

[bneinast]

I'm in same situation. Looking for trailer hitch for 08 535i to tow one or two bikes to track. It would especially be nice if the rear bracket would be removable since I would cringe at any sight of trailering from my 535.

[Alexol]

I'm in same situation. Looking for trailer hitch for 08 535i to tow one or two bikes to track. It would especially be nice if the rear bracket would be removable since I would cringe at any sight of trailering from my 535.



It's now a long way down the road - and a rocky one at that - since the original question was asked, but my hitch is now installed and ready to go, taking a motorcycle to Arkansas soon.

For those of you not in the US, you have NO idea how much hassle this has been! Any, all's well etc.

By the way, when not in use it is absolutely TOTALLY invisible from the rear - I'm delighted with it!

Thanks to all who helped...

Alex

PS Since then I've also had the iPod linked in to the GPS system with the official kit - works well, even if wildly overpriced IMHO.

[Jaybird180]

OK Alex, share. What'd you get? I saw a system, but cannot find the link right now. Plus I thought that it was too expensive.

From my new research, I should only need a Class I hitch.

Do share.

[abqhudson]

Try Curt Manufacturing - they make some hitches for the e60.

[Alexol]

OK Alex, share. What'd you get? I saw a system, but cannot find the link right now. Plus I thought that it was too expensive.

From my new research, I should only need a Class I hitch.

Do share.


Sorry it took so long to get back on this.

The hitch kit & locking swan-neck ball came from

toys4cars. co. uk/ index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8756

(apparently new posters can’t put a URL in here and you know which letters to put in front)

And later a universal wiring kit from

stores. channeladvisor. com/towbar

to bypass the CanBus system. No faults codes, no interference from the PDC - and no comment from the BMW dealer yet.

It turned out that I needed another little electrical gizmo which I got at U-Haul for about $15.

The total cost wasn’t that unreasonable considering past experience with a factory kit on a Volvo XC-70 and a friend’s experience with his VW Toureg at about $650 & $1050 respectively. The kit & swan-neck plus freight from the UK, electrical kit plus postage, and installation ran to about $1100. In my view, and for what I want out of the car, that is not unreasonable.

Since I know nothing about installing these kits and there is potential for serious expense if you offend the infamous black box(es) installation was done for me by Mike Haven of MPH Automotive in Houston. I am REALLY picky about who works on my vehicles – the phrase anal-retentive has been used occasionally - and I trust these guys to do the job right. I travel to Houston periodically on business anyway, so the 500-mile round trip isn’t that much of a problem from where I live. Mike has worked on a 400E Merc as well as Porches 911 Cabs and done excellent work in each case. Very competent people.

By the way, most Euro kits, especially if TuV approved, have a 50mm ball, which is 1.969” not 2”. Not a huge difference, considering the sloppy fit of most hitches, but something to be aware of.

And the best part? TOTALLY invisible when the ball is detached!

Hope this helps…

Alex

[Alexol]

Try Curt Manufacturing - they make some hitches for the e60.

Yes, but they want you to drill holes in the wheel well! From an engineering perspective, their kit didn't look too impressive...

[abqhudson]

The Curt hitch always worked great on my Three series cars (used it on three cars) for my light uses - track trailer and hitch mount bicycle rack. The four holes never presented a problem. Great value and their wiring harness worked great also. YMMV.

[Alexol]

The Curt hitch always worked great on my Three series cars (used it on three cars) for my light uses - track trailer and hitch mount bicycle rack. The four holes never presented a problem. Great value and their wiring harness worked great also. YMMV.


But if you don't have to drill any holes at all, wouldn't that be better? I presume your three cars were pre-Canbus too?

Anyway, strokes for folks as they say, and certainly nothing worth arguing about.

[Jaybird180]

Excuse the ignorance, but what's CANBUS?

I guess the ~$800 price I recall seeing wasn't unreasonable. I suppose I should try and find that link. But considering I don't trailer often, I think putting the bike in the bed of a pickup works for me....for now.

[Alexol]

Excuse the ignorance, but what's CANBUS?

I guess the ~$800 price I recall seeing wasn't unreasonable. I suppose I should try and find that link. But considering I don't trailer often, I think putting the bike in the bed of a pickup works for me....for now.

If you have the pickup option that would work fine. I am determined to have only one car (but more than one bike!) so mine has to be tow capable.

I don't know the correct definition of CanBus, just that it is a so-called single wire variable-voltage system linked to one or more black boxes, which can become highly irritated by what they perceive as voltage irregularities.

The net effect is that you can't simply cut a wire in the loom and add whatever accessories you want, such as trailer wiring harnesses or extra spotlights or whatever. If you do add something to the system, without "telling" (reprogramming) the black boxes, they show fault codes.

The system works quite well although there are those who - reasonably, in my opinion - would argue that it is an unnecessary complication, technology just because it exists kind of thing. (Sort of like I-Drive, which no-one on this planet is going to persuade me is better than carefully designed conventional controls - but thats my opinion, you may love it!).

Alex

[Jaybird180]

I'm renting the pickup. Have you considered that? Since it looks like I will only go to the track once this year (coming up....yaaaah). I hope to do more. If I do a combined car/bike trackday then the hitch will be a necessity.

[Alexol]

I'm renting the pickup. Have you considered that? Since it looks like I will only go to the track once this year (coming up....yaaaah). I hope to do more. If I do a combined car/bike trackday then the hitch will be a necessity.

I had thought about it, but only briefly. Renting would have been a fine option but since I expect to do this every year, preferably more than once, may need to take a bike somewhere for service, etc etc...

Just out of curiousity, was it easy to rent a vehicle with a hitch? Any special limitations?

Alex

[Jaybird180]

All of the truck rental places rent trucks with hitches (Uhaul, Ryder, etc). That's how I went last year. I rented a trailer and towed with a friend's vehicle. This time around not sure of what I will do, but I think it's gangsta to show up at the track using an e60 as a tow vehicle.

[jwestpro]

I had thought about it, but only briefly. Renting would have been a fine option but since I expect to do this every year, preferably more than once, may need to take a bike somewhere for service, etc etc...

Just out of curiousity, was it easy to rent a vehicle with a hitch? Any special limitations?

Alex

Alex, how did your tow hitch install work out? Any chance you could show some photos? My main purpose would be for a 4bicycle swing away type hitch mount, not motorcycle trailer but it would be nice if i needed to take my motorcycle trialer somewhere and needed to use the wagon.

we don't have the wagon yet but I am researching things to be sure the car will work for us as a whole. ours would be the 535xiT.

[yeewiz]

Alex, thanks for the research and follow through on this. I was looking to do the same but later. Pictures would be appreciated. The question I have which causes me to wait is, "Haven't you just voided your drivetrain warranty?"