X3 (F25) Trailer Hitch - XBimmers

Lotus7 · 05-10-2011, 09:52 PM

POST DELETED

Nahoa · 05-10-2011, 09:56 PM

All these years I was thinking Execuhitch was in an entirely different business . . . wonder what they did with those profiles?

Nahoa · 05-10-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus7

I just received a personal communication from Execuhitch stating that their new, removable hitch for the F25 chassis is now available. They have not updated their website yet, by do claim to have the bolt-on hitch kits.

The Execuhitch kits for the E83 chassis X3s were well made although they are not cheap, they are probably less costly then the non-existent (in the USA) BMW factory hitch kits.

See: Execuhitch http://www.execuhitch.com/index.aspx (678) 400-0121.

This is not an endorsement, I have not seen the hitch kits, proceed at your own risk, etc., etc.

The US accessory brochure shows a bike rack that looks like the lower, "table" style that typically mount to the trailer hitch. Was confused by that in that it implies a trailer hitch. Seen that at all?

Marmik · 05-10-2011, 10:59 PM

My CA told me TODAY that they have installed at least one BMW trailer hitch on the new X3. $995 he thought but had to check to confirm. Do you think he is wrong?

rs6655 · 05-11-2011, 09:27 AM

I would wait for the OE BMW hitch. I have one on my 2009 (E83) X3 and they are very well made and include the harness which you must have if you're going to tow a trailer. The add-on trailer light kits almost always illuminate a light out indicator on the dash.

I've included the OE instructions for the E83 install so you can get an idea of what to expect.

Tischer has the E83 hitches for $325.00.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

I would expect the F25's to run about the same.

Razel · 05-16-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marmik

My CA told me TODAY that they have installed at least one BMW trailer hitch on the new X3. $995 he thought but had to check to confirm. Do you think he is wrong?

Can you get a part number from the CA or service dept.?

Marmik · 05-16-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razel

Can you get a part number from the CA or service dept.?

I followed up with him and he WAS wrong. The part is not available at this time.

Brutus1 · 08-30-2011, 10:11 PM

Since the last we heard, the hitch is supposed to come out in
September,I decided to call BMWNA. He took my name and address for security purposes (? -I didn't ask for the hitch blueprints) and inquired whether I had called my local dealer. to that I replied ,"No because they didn't know either." He originally thought I was calling about the towing capacity which I felt was a bit ignorant as there is no means of towing to begin with. Eliminate the middleman and save a call I think. He was gone for a bit,came back to the phone, and said he had no idea! I had to know so asked if they were truly working on one as many were awaiting them-"Oh yes".

After that I mentioned that some on the BMW forums had other makes installed on their X3s and asked his idea about the matter so naturally the answer was that you should never use any after market hitches-only BMW. He wasn't super nice like many are. I mentioned I would call back in a week or so for updates.

Really disappointed in the number of months lost for kayaking,etc, without a hitch- one of the primary reasons to buy a BMW or so I thought.

Humbug · 09-01-2011, 07:54 AM

I have uploaded a short video of my electric tow bar here (click on pic)

Bustofa · 09-01-2011, 08:28 AM

Now that's cool!

colson79 · 09-01-2011, 01:40 PM

To bad they don't off it in the US. I think that this whole issue is a major failure on BMW's part. They are about to start production on the 2012 models and they still don't have a towing solution for North America.

tank531 · 09-01-2011, 01:53 PM

great party trick

XRP · 09-01-2011, 03:22 PM

Can the x3 even tow??? enogh wait, 20ft bass boat???

colson79 · 09-01-2011, 04:15 PM

The X3 can tow $3500 pounds. I'm not sure how much a 20ft bass boat weighs. I need to tow my snowmobiles with mine so I'm going the execuhitch route when I get my X3. I don't have high hopes that BMW will have an official option by this winter. Plus I kind of like the hidden aspect of the Execuhitch.

skier219 · 09-01-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Are you planning on installing the Execuhitch yourself?

If so, it would be really great if you took a few pics of the process. I've been considering it and have read the Execuhitch X3 (F25) installation instructions, but am a little leery about removing the bumper cover and then reinstalling it properly.

The Execuhitch only requires a small (4 X 4 inch hole) cut into the lower surface of the bumper cover, but apparently the crossbar mount fits under the existing inner bumper mounts, so the bumper cover and inner bumper beam must be removed/reinstalled to mount the crossbar.

I don't think you can reinstall the bumper beam with the Execuhitch unit -- it fits in the space where the bumper beam was. That gives me a bit of pause, since cars normally count on that bumper beam absorbing crash energy. Would be good to clarify this with the company if it's important to you.

The only other hitch I have seen is Curt's. That is a more traditional drawbar/pin hitch and the hitch beam sits lower. In that case, the bumper beam is reinstalled.

As far as the bumper cover it doesn't look like too tough of a job, but you definitely want a helper when removing and reinstalling it. With only one person, there is too much risk of the cover twisting/sagging under its own weight, with could flex the paint too much.

Itchywasabi · 09-01-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humbug

I have uploaded a short video of my electric tow bar here (click on pic)

I thought I was watching a porno movie...

Dukat · 09-01-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humbug

I have uploaded a short video of my electric tow bar here (click on pic)

Wow, that is awesome. How much was it, including installation?

colson79 · 09-02-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Are you planning on installing the Execuhitch yourself?

If so, it would be really great if you took a few pics of the process. I've been considering it and have read the Execuhitch X3 (F25) installation instructions, but am a little leery about removing the bumper cover and then reinstalling it properly.

The Execuhitch only requires a small (4 X 4 inch hole) cut into the lower surface of the bumper cover, but apparently the crossbar mount fits under the existing inner bumper mounts, so the bumper cover and inner bumper beam must be removed/reinstalled to mount the crossbar.

I'm not planning on installing it myself. I'm going to do PDC and Execuhitch is only about 3 hours from Spartenburg. They do installations for around $180 so I'm going to try and coordinate installation the day after I pick up my X3.

skier219 · 09-02-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Thanks - That's very informative. I had a early pre-release set of installation instructions that Execuhitch once had available on their website. However, the last time I checked it was no longer available for download. Obviously, they changed the final design.

I believe the OEM bumper beam is made of square section tubular aluminum. At least that's what it looks like through the tow ring access holes. The tow ring eyebolt mounts through a hole bored through the bumper bar. (Which is why the tow ring is so much longer than that on most other BMW’s.) Hope the Execuhitch has the (2) holes!

Here are some instructions for the Execuhitch unit:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=560736

After reading them, they do say to discard the bumper "core". Interesting about the tow ring hole -- I hope they planned for that in their hitch. Though I have to say, I'd rather have the stock bumper in there myself. A big rigid steel channel isn't going to crush and absorb like an aluminum tube would if you get rear-ended.

Here are instructions for the Curt hitch:

http://sitepro12.sitepro.com/masterl..._13107_INS.pdf

Note how the bumper bolts back on over the hitch in this case.

Between the two documents, there is a lot of useful information to plan the install. I will say, the X3 hitch is about zillion times more of a PITA to install than any of my previous vehicles. On every other car I have owned, the hitch attached from the bottom and there was no trim or bumper removal. I don't like pulling trim on a new car; it's not difficult, but a lot of that stuff breaks easily, so you have to be careful.

Horsedoc67 · 09-04-2011, 01:16 PM

I talked yesterday with my friend, who has been a BMW tech for over 20 yrs and he told me that BMW has a hitch for the X3 and they are now working out the software for it. He says they will have to reprogram the whole system so that it will recognize the hitch. FWIW.

Brutus1 · 09-04-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horsedoc67

I talked yesterday with my friend, who has been a BMW tech for over 20 yrs and he told me that BMW has a hitch for the X3 and they are now working out the software for it. He says they will have to reprogram the whole system so that it will recognize the hitch. FWIW.

Horsedoc67 ask him about just a standard hitch please. I am a bit concerned about reprogramming the whole system and the potential problems. Originally this was to be one of the options.

Brutus1 · 09-08-2011, 07:55 PM

Thanks for the info Lotus7 and guess I will research and wait a bit longer.

05-10-2011, 09:52 PM	#1
Lotus7 Major Drives: xxxx Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: xxxx Posts: 1,041 iTrader: (0)	X3 (F25) Trailer Hitch POST DELETED Last edited by Lotus7; 02-05-2012 at 06:44 PM.
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05-10-2011, 09:56 PM	#2
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,853 iTrader: (0)	All these years I was thinking Execuhitch was in an entirely different business . . . wonder what they did with those profiles? __________________

09-01-2011, 07:54 AM	#9
Humbug Enlisted Member Drives: X3 F25 xDrive 20d Auto Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Guernsey, Channel Islands Posts: 34 iTrader: (0)	I have uploaded a short video of my electric tow bar here (click on pic) Last edited by Humbug; 09-01-2011 at 08:01 AM.

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05-10-2011, 10:59 PM	#4
Marmik Private Drives: X3 35i titanium & black Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 51 iTrader: (0)	My CA told me TODAY that they have installed at least one BMW trailer hitch on the new X3. $995 he thought but had to check to confirm. Do you think he is wrong?

08-30-2011, 10:11 PM	#8
Brutus1 Private First Class Drives: 2011 x3 -Alpine white Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 160 iTrader: (0)	Since the last we heard, the hitch is supposed to come out in September,I decided to call BMWNA. He took my name and address for security purposes (? -I didn't ask for the hitch blueprints) and inquired whether I had called my local dealer. to that I replied ,"No because they didn't know either." He originally thought I was calling about the towing capacity which I felt was a bit ignorant as there is no means of towing to begin with. Eliminate the middleman and save a call I think. He was gone for a bit,came back to the phone, and said he had no idea! I had to know so asked if they were truly working on one as many were awaiting them-"Oh yes". After that I mentioned that some on the BMW forums had other makes installed on their X3s and asked his idea about the matter so naturally the answer was that you should never use any after market hitches-only BMW. He wasn't super nice like many are. I mentioned I would call back in a week or so for updates. Really disappointed in the number of months lost for kayaking,etc, without a hitch- one of the primary reasons to buy a BMW or so I thought.

09-01-2011, 08:28 AM	#10
Bustofa Lieutenant Drives: F25 X3 XDrive20D SE Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Washington, UK Posts: 465 iTrader: (0)	Now that's cool!

09-01-2011, 01:40 PM	#11
colson79 Private First Class Drives: 2012 X3 35i DSB Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 186 iTrader: (0)	To bad they don't off it in the US. I think that this whole issue is a major failure on BMW's part. They are about to start production on the 2012 models and they still don't have a towing solution for North America.

09-01-2011, 01:53 PM	#12
tank531 Deckhand Drives: F25 2.0D SE xDrive (Sep 11) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Coventry - UK Posts: 389 iTrader: (0)	great party trick

09-01-2011, 03:22 PM	#13
XRP Private First Class Drives: X3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 116 iTrader: (0)	Can the x3 even tow??? enogh wait, 20ft bass boat???

09-01-2011, 04:15 PM	#14
colson79 Private First Class Drives: 2012 X3 35i DSB Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 186 iTrader: (0)	The X3 can tow $3500 pounds. I'm not sure how much a 20ft bass boat weighs. I need to tow my snowmobiles with mine so I'm going the execuhitch route when I get my X3. I don't have high hopes that BMW will have an official option by this winter. Plus I kind of like the hidden aspect of the Execuhitch.

09-04-2011, 01:16 PM	#20
Horsedoc67 Private Drives: 2010 35i Z4 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 55 iTrader: (0)	I talked yesterday with my friend, who has been a BMW tech for over 20 yrs and he told me that BMW has a hitch for the X3 and they are now working out the software for it. He says they will have to reprogram the whole system so that it will recognize the hitch. FWIW.

09-08-2011, 07:55 PM	#22
Brutus1 Private First Class Drives: 2011 x3 -Alpine white Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 160 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info Lotus7 and guess I will research and wait a bit longer.