OEM BMW Trailer Hitch, or other?

GTB/ZR-1 · 10-02-2017, 08:03 AM

I've done some searching of the forum & Google on this, but not finding a clear-cut answer.

We have an XDrive35i X4 that has trailer provisions from the factory (do they all?)

I'll be towing an open aluminum trailer w/ cars ranging from ~2200 to ~3400--so will be a good bit under the 5500lb rating.

There appear to be several BMW hitches on the BMW Northwest parts site. Does anyone know which one to use? Looking for it to be of the invisible variety when not being used (my wife's vehicle & she won't go for that lol).

Or are there other plug-n-play solutions out there?

Thanks in advance...

George B.

GTB/ZR-1 · 10-02-2017, 12:54 PM

Okay--a bit more searching turned this up:

https://www.getbmwparts.com/partloca...11&startrow=26

Looks like this has a 3500# capacity--so that's not enough (need closer to 4500#). That being stated, does the Execuhitch I see available have a higher capacity?

It does me no good if the vehicle itself has a 5500# capacity, but the hardware only rates 3500#.

hardparker · 10-05-2017, 09:09 AM

I love my EcoHitch on my F25. I suspect it would work on the X4 just as easily.

Edit: I re-read this and saw your weight requirements. The EcoHitch is only rated for 3500 pounds.

awt · 10-11-2017, 03:32 PM

OEM all the way.

It folds electric, so it's completely hidden when it's not in use.

I'm afraid this would be hard to get hold of in the US unfortunately.

Stangboss · 10-14-2017, 05:44 PM

This is what Execuhitch looks like on my X4. I also had one on my X3 previously. I only attach the ball mount when towing my boat, so mostly nothing is visible. Easy to attach and remove!

DBU · 10-14-2017, 07:03 PM

And if you have the rear view camera, don't forget to have your car coded to enable the "hitch zoom." Very useful when hooking up the trailer.

Stangboss · 10-15-2017, 10:43 PM

Camera works well for attaching the trailer without zoom. Thanks for suggesting though -- did not know I could get zoom coded.

Duke I · 11-16-2017, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stangboss

This is what Execuhitch looks like on my X4. I also had one on my X3 previously. I only attach the ball mount when towing my boat, so mostly nothing is visible. Easy to attach and remove!

SB, I like the execuhitch setup. On their website I do not see the ball hitch you have on your x4. Do you mind sharing the components you have for your hitch. Thanks. Duke

Stangboss · 11-17-2017, 12:05 PM

Look up ball mounts on their site -- left side second from bottom. I have standard 2".

Duke I · 11-18-2017, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stangboss

Look up ball mounts on their site -- left side second from bottom. I have standard 2".

Got it thanks. I was thrown off because no images are there when I looked.

Duke I · 11-19-2017, 08:51 AM

SB, final questions. Did your order the x3 m-sport version? Any figment issues? Reasonably possible to DIY?

Thanks, Duke

Stangboss · 11-20-2017, 01:06 PM

Best to call them for correct answers for your application. My BMW Service ordered and installed the hitch. Very happy with Execuhitch!

10-02-2017, 08:03 AM	#1
GTB/ZR-1 Lieutenant 21 Rep 542 Posts Drives: Pending... Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central, FL iTrader: (17)	OEM BMW Trailer Hitch, or other? I've done some searching of the forum & Google on this, but not finding a clear-cut answer. We have an XDrive35i X4 that has trailer provisions from the factory (do they all?) I'll be towing an open aluminum trailer w/ cars ranging from ~2200 to ~3400--so will be a good bit under the 5500lb rating. There appear to be several BMW hitches on the BMW Northwest parts site. Does anyone know which one to use? Looking for it to be of the invisible variety when not being used (my wife's vehicle & she won't go for that lol). Or are there other plug-n-play solutions out there? Thanks in advance... George B. __________________ * '11 E71 X6 M MCB * '16 Z51 M7 C7 Corvette--SCCA Solo/DE Weapon * '90 Corvette ZR-1 (Fast)
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-02-2017, 12:54 PM	#2
GTB/ZR-1 Lieutenant 21 Rep 542 Posts Drives: Pending... Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central, FL iTrader: (17)	Okay--a bit more searching turned this up: https://www.getbmwparts.com/partloca...11&startrow=26 Looks like this has a 3500# capacity--so that's not enough (need closer to 4500#). That being stated, does the Execuhitch I see available have a higher capacity? It does me no good if the vehicle itself has a 5500# capacity, but the hardware only rates 3500#.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2017, 09:09 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]	I love my EcoHitch on my F25. I suspect it would work on the X4 just as easily. Edit: I re-read this and saw your weight requirements. The EcoHitch is only rated for 3500 pounds. __________________ 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; 10-20-2017 at 10:36 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2017, 03:32 PM	#4
awt Private First Class 44 Rep 155 Posts Drives: Red e61 & red F26 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	OEM all the way. It folds electric, so it's completely hidden when it's not in use. I'm afraid this would be hard to get hold of in the US unfortunately. __________________ • 2008 BMW 523i touring (Imola red) • 2015 BMW X4 xDrive30d (Melbourne red) • A small roadtrip through Scandinavia: movie - pictures • A small roadtrip in the norwegian fjords: movie • A small trip to Nürburgring: movie - pictures
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2017, 05:44 PM	#5
Stangboss New Member 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saskatchewan iTrader: (0)	This is what Execuhitch looks like on my X4. I also had one on my X3 previously. I only attach the ball mount when towing my boat, so mostly nothing is visible. Easy to attach and remove! Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2017, 07:03 PM	#6
DBU Captain 233 Rep 395 Posts Drives: 2022 X4MC - Marina Bay Blue Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Orange County, California iTrader: (0)	And if you have the rear view camera, don't forget to have your car coded to enable the "hitch zoom." Very useful when hooking up the trailer. __________________ '22 ///X4M Competition - fully loaded Marina Bay Blue. Lowered on MSS springs. 20" x 10 ET20 Vertini RFS1.2 wheels wrapped in Firestone Indy 500 Firehawk 275/40 tires (square setup). Hers: '15 X4 2.8i - Glacier Silver - loaded M-Sport
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2017, 10:43 PM	#7
Stangboss New Member 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saskatchewan iTrader: (0)	Camera works well for attaching the trailer without zoom. Thanks for suggesting though -- did not know I could get zoom coded.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2017, 12:05 PM	#9
Stangboss New Member 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saskatchewan iTrader: (0)	Look up ball mounts on their site -- left side second from bottom. I have standard 2".
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2017, 08:51 AM	#11
Duke I Second Lieutenant 107 Rep 272 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Rockies iTrader: (0)	SB, final questions. Did your order the x3 m-sport version? Any figment issues? Reasonably possible to DIY? Thanks, Duke __________________ Duke 2018 X5 50i 2015 911 C2S 2017 X4 M40i (gone); 2010 X5 (last of the NAs); 2007 550i (still missed, except in the snow); 1991 525i manual (great 17-year run)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2017, 01:06 PM	#12
Stangboss New Member 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saskatchewan iTrader: (0)	Best to call them for correct answers for your application. My BMW Service ordered and installed the hitch. Very happy with Execuhitch!
	Appreciate 0 Quote