BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-28-2017, 12:21 AM   #1
hardparker
Father of Frankenfold
299
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: Yo daddy's 2014 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Albuquerque

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2013 BMW X1  [0.00]
2014 BMW X3  [0.00]
TorkLift EcoHitch install

I installed a TorkLift EcoHitch and trailer wiring this weekend. The quality and fitment are top notch. I like the fact that you can get a 1.25" or 2" adapter, and that the adapter is removable for a stock appearance. Although I'll probably just leave it on. Another nice factor is that it allows you to keep the factory crash bumper. Most other solutions require removing it.





Installation was relatively straight forward using the supplied instructions from TorkLift. I ended up varying from the standard install so that I could mount a Hopkins 47185 Multi-Tow Adapter to the back of the hitch to keep things stealthy. The adapter offers 7-blade round RV-style or 4-pin flat connector options, 12V pass through, reverse light and trailer brake leads, the latter two of which I'm not currently using, but like having the option to connect later if I'll be towing an RV.







The Multi-Tow bracket ended up mounted to the back side of the hitch with a couple of shallow holes and screws. I could have perhaps tucked it up a little higher, but even with the receiver adapter removed, it's barely noticeable. The valence required a little extra trimming to accommodate the Multi-Tow.





The converter is a Tow Ready 119190 ModuLite HD Protector. I would have much preferred the factory tow module and it's vehicle integration, but at ten times the price, the Tow Ready is a far cheaper option. The e-trailer.com video was invaluable in wiring this item. https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-...119190kit.aspx

Luckily, there was a plug on the passenger side in the battery compartment that was perfect for use as a grommet to pass the trailer wiring through. I ended up slotting it, cutting a hole in the middle, and sealing it all up with some sealant I had around. The ground post on the chassis was handy, as was the positive battery accessory post for electrical connections. I also used the ground under the stereo module mount for the converter's ring terminal (white wire) and mounted the converter with a low vibration synthetic fiber mounting material, aka a yellow microfiber cloth stuffed down behind the driver side storage compartment.









Attached Images
            

Last edited by hardparker; 11-01-2017 at 10:30 AM..
Appreciate 0
      05-05-2017, 08:50 AM   #2
airwalk776
Private First Class
49
Rep
152
Posts

Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive35is
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Nice job man, nice and clean. I was looking at the same hitch for my X3. Regarding the wiring connections that you made, is that hardness purchased from ecolift/torklift also or did you source that form another manufacture? Can you share part numbers for the wire hardness and connection socket that you have installed.
Appreciate 0
      05-05-2017, 09:13 AM   #3
hardparker
Father of Frankenfold
299
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: Yo daddy's 2014 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Albuquerque

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2013 BMW X1  [0.00]
2014 BMW X3  [0.00]
Thanks, airwalk776. I only got the hitch from TorkLift. The electrical components I ordered off of Amazon, other than the wiring and fuse holder that I had lying around from previous projects.

The electrical parts I used, to recap, are:

Hopkins 47185 Multi-Tow Adapter
Tow Ready 119190 ModuLite HD Protector
Inline fuse holder, black and red wire for power and ground.
__________________
F25 X3 35i M Sport | Frankenfold 6662 | VRSF Race IC | FTP CP | BM3 tuned | XDI-35 HPFP | Stage 2 LPFP | Ethanol mixed | WMI | Oil cooler | xHP | X5/550i brakes

Last edited by hardparker; 11-01-2017 at 10:27 AM..
Appreciate 0
      05-05-2017, 09:27 AM   #4
airwalk776
Private First Class
49
Rep
152
Posts

Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive35is
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

thank you sir, making my list now, appreciate the help
Appreciate 0
      11-01-2017, 10:01 AM   #5
TitanLH8
Captain
TitanLH8's Avatar
United_States
144
Rep
775
Posts

Drives: 2011 E91 328xi
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Raleigh, NC

iTrader: (6)

Nice work and pics! Your pics and description have convinced me that this is the ideal solution!
Appreciate 1
      11-01-2017, 12:09 PM   #6
Scout10
Second Lieutenant
United_States
86
Rep
268
Posts

Drives: 2017 BMW X3 X28i
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: S.W. Michigan (stalag michigan)

iTrader: (0)

Clean install ! now ya only need a smillie face to cover the hitch
__________________
2017 BMW X3 x28i SOLD
2015 Honda CRV-EXL AWD
2019 Honda CRV-Touring AWD
1965 Chevrolet Corvette 327 / 4spd Convt
Appreciate 0
      11-01-2017, 04:40 PM   #7
cjskach
New Member
2
Rep
12
Posts

Drives: 2014 X3 3.5i
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: PNW

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2004 330i  [0.00]
2014 X3 35i  [0.00]
Great job, what was the partnumber for the actual hitch? Also did you have to take off the bumper to do the install.
__________________
Christopher Skach
2014 F25 X3 35i
2004 E46 330i
Previous
69 E10 1600,72,74,76 2002 TI,79 530i,80 K75,93 325i
Appreciate 0
      11-02-2017, 05:04 PM   #8
hardparker
Father of Frankenfold
299
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: Yo daddy's 2014 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Albuquerque

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2013 BMW X1  [0.00]
2014 BMW X3  [0.00]
Looks like their SKU is BMWX301. Yeah, the whole bumper has to come off to install it. The OEM crash bumper beam reinstalls on top of it. Some other hitches omit it altogether.
__________________
F25 X3 35i M Sport | Frankenfold 6662 | VRSF Race IC | FTP CP | BM3 tuned | XDI-35 HPFP | Stage 2 LPFP | Ethanol mixed | WMI | Oil cooler | xHP | X5/550i brakes
Appreciate 0
      11-03-2017, 02:29 PM   #9
cjskach
New Member
2
Rep
12
Posts

Drives: 2014 X3 3.5i
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: PNW

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2004 330i  [0.00]
2014 X3 35i  [0.00]
would you have a website that you ordered from, can't find anything with the BMW301 search. Also did you need any special tools to get the bumper off, how hard was it? I found this video on installation:

__________________
Christopher Skach
2014 F25 X3 35i
2004 E46 330i
Previous
69 E10 1600,72,74,76 2002 TI,79 530i,80 K75,93 325i

Last edited by cjskach; 11-03-2017 at 02:41 PM..
Appreciate 0
      11-03-2017, 02:59 PM   #10
hardparker
Father of Frankenfold
299
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: Yo daddy's 2014 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Albuquerque

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2013 BMW X1  [0.00]
2014 BMW X3  [0.00]
I don't recall needing any special tools. https://torkliftcentral.com/rving-an...ohitch-stealth
__________________
F25 X3 35i M Sport | Frankenfold 6662 | VRSF Race IC | FTP CP | BM3 tuned | XDI-35 HPFP | Stage 2 LPFP | Ethanol mixed | WMI | Oil cooler | xHP | X5/550i brakes
Appreciate 0
      11-03-2017, 03:02 PM   #11
cjskach
New Member
2
Rep
12
Posts

Drives: 2014 X3 3.5i
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: PNW

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2004 330i  [0.00]
2014 X3 35i  [0.00]
Was wondering if you compared this one and what would be the drawbacks of this one?

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...leid=201415144
__________________
Christopher Skach
2014 F25 X3 35i
2004 E46 330i
Previous
69 E10 1600,72,74,76 2002 TI,79 530i,80 K75,93 325i
Appreciate 0
      11-12-2019, 08:11 AM   #12
hardparker
Father of Frankenfold
299
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: Yo daddy's 2014 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Albuquerque

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2013 BMW X1  [0.00]
2014 BMW X3  [0.00]
Quick bump just to add that they now spec the tongue weight for this hitch on the X3 at 525 pounds! Tow weight is still spec'd as 3,500, but everyone knows the F25 is UK rated at 4,400 pounds.

So, can we say 525 lbs. tongue weight and 4,400 lbs. tow capacity? I think so. Especially with upgraded power, braking, trailer brakes, and possibly a load distribution bar mod to the hitch to ensure good towing handling. I'm going travel trailer shopping...
__________________
F25 X3 35i M Sport | Frankenfold 6662 | VRSF Race IC | FTP CP | BM3 tuned | XDI-35 HPFP | Stage 2 LPFP | Ethanol mixed | WMI | Oil cooler | xHP | X5/550i brakes
Appreciate 0
      11-12-2019, 12:46 PM   #13
najnad
General of the Space Forces
najnad's Avatar
United_States
171
Rep
721
Posts

Drives: 11 X3 35i M-sport
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Elkridge, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
reminds me I still havent installed the wiring for my hitch...
__________________
Current: 2020 X5 x40i M-Sport, Arctic Grey Metallic / Ivory White, Executive Package, Luggage Compartment Package, Integral Active Steering, Tow Package, Parking Assist Package, Driving Assist Package, M-Sport brakes, Tux Mats
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 03:18 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