DIY- Trailer hitch

[mabrahams]

Originally Posted by igzekyativ

So I installed the trailer hitch and it seems like the exhaust (stock) hits the hitch and then sends the vibrations (between 1000 rpm and 1700 rpm) throughout the entire body... it is pretty annoying and I will have to figure out a way to prevent this...

Yeah.. I think it's mounted wrong:

http://sitepro12.sitepro.com/masterl..._11184_INS.pdf

See the slide plate mounted image; it covers the bumper mount completely.

[igzekyativ]

Originally Posted by mabrahams

Yeah.. I think it's mounted wrong:

http://sitepro12.sitepro.com/masterl..._11184_INS.pdf

See the slide plate mounted image; it covers the bumper mount completely.

There is a lip surrounding the "bumper beam mount studs" that makes the install of the hitch on top of that interesting...

[mabrahams]

Originally Posted by igzekyativ

There is a lip surrounding the "bumper beam mount studs" that makes the install of the hitch on top of that interesting...

That's why I don't understand if the hitch is mounted on top of the bolt or if the bolt is removed; then mounted above the bumper.

IE: I'm not sure why the hitch comes with a lock ring and nut; unless it is to be used on top of the stock bumper nut..

Which doesn't make sense; unless that stud is that strong?

Those who installed this Curt hitch; did you all install it between the bumper and the frame or on top of the bumper mount?

[igzekyativ]

it seems like you should leave the stock hardware on, and just mount the hitch on top of it using the lockrings and nuts so that each stud will have things on it in this order:

bumper, stock nut, hitch, lock ring, nut

Originally Posted by mabrahams

Yeah.. I think it's mounted wrong:

http://sitepro12.sitepro.com/masterl..._11184_INS.pdf

See the slide plate mounted image; it covers the bumper mount completely.

also, the link posted above is a slighty different set of instructions than what I received with my hitch..

[mabrahams]

Originally Posted by igzekyativ

it seems like you should leave the stock hardware on, and just mount the hitch on top of it using the lockrings and nuts so that each stud will have things on it in this order:

bumper, stock nut, hitch, lock ring, nut



also, the link posted above is a slighty different set of instructions than what I received with my hitch..

Exactly... that's strange that you have a different set of instructions. It's the Curt 11184 hitch right?

[igzekyativ]

Originally Posted by mabrahams

Exactly... that's strange that you have a different set of instructions. It's the Curt 11184 hitch right?

I bought mine here... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...4931&viewitem= and the description says 11184...

[mabrahams]

Mine should be in tomorrow; and will install it hopefully on Saturday. I will be installing the hitch over the current bumper stud mounts and not between the chassi and bumper support, per the instructions. I'll take some photos as well.

[igzekyativ]

Originally Posted by mabrahams

Mine should be in tomorrow; and will install it hopefully on Saturday. I will be installing the hitch over the current bumper stud mounts and not between the chassi and bumper support, per the instructions. I'll take some photos as well.

Take some detailed photos of how to remove the rear diffuser, as this would make installation so much easier. I actually removed the tail lights, and the entire rear bumper...

[mabrahams]

I have a 128i, so the bumper will have to be removed...yay.

[Kevin_russian]

Solved the problem with exhaust rattle.
Got this hitch installed on 2010 128i, just the way it shows on the instruction ( I.e. On top of the re-bar) did a small cut out on the top exhaust mount ( about 3/4 of an inch) ... No rattle no vibration with a trailer or without...

[mabrahams]

Bumper removed:


Right side where bumper slides out. You can see where there are a couple places where the bumper 'snaps' in. In the wheel well, you have three bolts that need to be removed, and once those are removed you have one under the felt panels that secures directly to the bumper. So total of four bolts, three exterior facing and one underneath. Make sure you get all four out before you start to pull. As noted on page 1, you also have bolts mounted on the bumper below, remove all of them.



I had to remove the 9mm exhaust bolt and also the rubber exhaust holder, in order to have enough clearance. Curt hitch is a pretty tight fit.
Photos of the hitch installed, and clearance between the hitch and exhaust.


Note the room between the hitch and exhaust. This is the same place where others were having issues with it rubbing.


Hitch installed, torqued down to 65 ft/lbs.


As you can see, the hitch is installed OVER the bumper support bolts, per instructions. There is no rubbing between the hitch and exhaust.

Tips: Be careful when pulling the bumper back. I read the directions to pull the bumper forward (ie: towards the front of the car) when it should have be read pull towards the rear of the car, to slide out. Installation was quick.

I removed the rear tail-lights and the felt covers; just so I had a bit more room to work with. I'm sure having both just a bit loose would be fine as well. Instead of cutting the small plastic piece that mounts to the underside of the car and the bumper, I just removed it. I was worried that there would be some flex in the middle of the bumper, but it's a pretty solid unit once everything is snapped into place.



EDIT: Here are two photos of the hitch being used:

[JB135MDCT]

What brand bike carrier? Very nice.

[mabrahams]

It's a Swagman XTC Cross-Country. It is a nice piece, around $185.

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by mabrahams

It's a Swagman XTC Cross-Country. It is a nice piece, around $185.

Have you considered the BMW quick reease bumper bike rack or was the price a killer.

How much is the hitch?

[JimD]

Looks like the hitch is $135-140. Here is a link from one source:

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...eid=2010300528

If you need lights or a bar/ball, that would be additional.

[mabrahams]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

Have you considered the BMW quick reease bumper bike rack or was the price a killer.

How much is the hitch?

Yes, but didn't want to have a hole in the bumper. Price was also a concern. As seen above the hitch is around $130 then the rack is another $185 or so, a lot cheaper than the BMW combo.

I bought the hitch from Amazon with $3.99 1 day shipping with prime.

[igzekyativ]

Originally Posted by mabrahams

Bumper removed:


Right side where bumper slides out. You can see where there are a couple places where the bumper 'snaps' in. In the wheel well, you have three bolts that need to be removed, and once those are removed you have one under the felt panels that secures directly to the bumper. So total of four bolts, three exterior facing and one underneath. Make sure you get all four out before you start to pull. As noted on page 1, you also have bolts mounted on the bumper below, remove all of them.



I had to remove the 9mm exhaust bolt and also the rubber exhaust holder, in order to have enough clearance. Curt hitch is a pretty tight fit.
Photos of the hitch installed, and clearance between the hitch and exhaust.


Note the room between the hitch and exhaust. This is the same place where others were having issues with it rubbing.


Hitch installed, torqued down to 65 ft/lbs.


As you can see, the hitch is installed OVER the bumper support bolts, per instructions. There is no rubbing between the hitch and exhaust.

Tips: Be careful when pulling the bumper back. I read the directions to pull the bumper forward (ie: towards the front of the car) when it should have be read pull towards the rear of the car, to slide out. Installation was quick.

I removed the rear tail-lights and the felt covers; just so I had a bit more room to work with. I'm sure having both just a bit loose would be fine as well. Instead of cutting the small plastic piece that mounts to the underside of the car and the bumper, I just removed it. I was worried that there would be some flex in the middle of the bumper, but it's a pretty solid unit once everything is snapped into place.



EDIT: Here are two photos of the hitch being used:

nice write up and thanks for the pics!

[mattm]

Anyone try this on a 1 M Coupe yet?

[marchhe]

Anyone added a tow hitch to a 128i? I also need to tow my motorcycles only to get back & forth for major service or to the track.

[JimD]

Look at the posts by "axoid" on page 3 with pictures on the top of page 4 for a 128 installation.

[cricri]

Originally Posted by marchhe

Anyone added a tow hitch to a 128i? I also need to tow my motorcycles only to get back & forth for major service or to the track.

Had one installed by a local shop (Attaches Montreal) in September. As others have mentioned it occasionally rubs against the exhaust. I suspect they mounted it wrong so I'll need to take a look at it at some point.

Personally it was the first time I towed anything with a car and I thought dragging a 600 lbs+ weight definitely put some stress on the car. For lack of a better description it sort of felt like the trailer was acting like an "elastic". While driving on the freeway I'd sometime feel the weight pulling the car back, and other times you don't feel the weight at all. Makes me worry about the additional stress being put on the drive train. Anyhow it does the job and other than the rattle it works perfectly.

[mattm]

Those U-Haul trailers are a lot of mass, too. Add the weight of the bike and it is a lot back there. If you are going to trailer a lot I'd use a Trailex trailer. Very well built and light. Not sure if they do a motorcycle trailer but modifying one of their utility trailers would work well. I have a tire trailer of theirs. It is on loan to a guy who uses it behind his Cayman and was towing it with his GT3. I originally got it to pull behind a Porsche 996 to bring my autocross tires.