BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-18-2009, 06:34 PM   #1
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

DIY- Trailer hitch



I just installed a trailer hitch onto my 08 135i.
I got a CURT hitch from
http://www.etrailer.com/products.asp...11&image1.y=14

It Fit perfectly


STEP 1
remove taillights.
Its simple pull back the carpet and its 3 nuts to remove and unplug 2 wiring harnesses
Attached Images
 
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 1
      06-18-2009, 06:36 PM   #2
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

step 2
remove bumper cover
Unbolt all 8 diffuser bolts on the bottom and POP it off.
There are 2 bolts inside the fender well.
And one bolt UNDER the fender well cover.
There are locking tabs as you can see under the taillight and go all the way around the bumper panel.
Slide a THIN flathead into the slot between the rear fender and bumper and press the tab out.
Attached Images
   
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 1
      06-18-2009, 06:37 PM   #3
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

There are tabs holding the inner bumper cover just tug on the bottom of the cover.
The whole cover will slide off with a bit of force.. but make sure you removed all of the locking tabs..
Attached Images
 
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2009, 06:40 PM   #4
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

Next loosen the exhaust from one bolt from underneath.
Attached Images
 
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 1
      06-18-2009, 06:41 PM   #5
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

You will need to unbolt the 6 bolts holding on the actual steel bumper.
The hitch will sandwich itself inbetween the car and the bumper with these 6 large bolts.
Attached Images
  
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2009, 06:43 PM   #6
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

Reverse for assembly.
Attached Images
 
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2009, 06:46 PM   #7
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

Question

I ran the trailer lights wiring thru the grommet on the right just below the taillight.
I used a wiring kit MODULITE 119190. $75 at my local trailer store.
It is powered directly from the cars battery and tab into the tail lights to get signal. I was hoping this would keep my LIGHT out warning to not happen..but it does register light out all the time..oh well.
all lights work and im not pulling power thru the taillight harness so its fine.
Attached Images
    
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2009, 06:49 PM   #8
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

I know alot of you think its crazy to put this on a CAR..

well i have used ALL of my past CAR's to pull things with NO problems...

08 XB
07 accord coupe v6
05 srt4

Over 100k between them all with no issues.
In europe everyone uses there car to pull small items. The car has plenty of weight and power and braking to support a small trailer easily.

Great for bike racks also.

Anyways.. hope this helps someone out.
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 2
      06-18-2009, 07:22 PM   #9
jibaholic101
Brigadier General
158
Rep
3,496
Posts

Drives: women wild
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Charleston, SC

iTrader: (0)

good job! i have an SUV so i have no need to do this

but if it was your only car i can see the practicality in it!
__________________
some italian, german, and japanese ones; and on order more of the same
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2009, 07:56 PM   #10
JimD
Brigadier General
JimD's Avatar
367
Rep
3,547
Posts

Drives: 128i convertible
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lexington, SC

iTrader: (0)

Do you see any reason this would not work on a 128i? It seems like it should.

I also have a SUV. I might use my bimmer to pull my utility trailer, limited to 1000 lbs, but not my boat, about 2000 lbs. I'll probably just use my SUV.

I never used anything more complicated than a relay to hook up the wiring. Maybe $20. I have never owned a BMW before either, however. You have to use something because the trailer uses the same bulb filament for braking and for turn signal and the car has a different bulb or filament for each.

Jim
__________________
128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport
Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2009, 07:58 PM   #11
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

Not sure.. the hitch says only listed for 135..
if your exhaust hangs the sme and im sure the bumbper bolts up the same..it should work..IMO
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2009, 09:00 PM   #12
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

Here is it maiden voyage to the boat ramp
Attached Images
 
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 1
      06-18-2009, 11:52 PM   #13
DocSean
Private
DocSean's Avatar
9
Rep
93
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Sep 2008

iTrader: (0)

Dude....NICE WORK! I love it!
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2009, 12:05 PM   #14
mecheng03
Private First Class
mecheng03's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
120
Posts

Drives: 135i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Adams, TN

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2008 BMW 135i  [0.00]
Great write-up! Hmmm... I might need to get that hobie 16 now...

How long did the install take? The store says 1.1 hours but looking at your pics it will probably take me 3-4 hours.

Are the bumper bolts supposed to be at a certain torque?

What height hitch (raised/lowered) did you end up using? I'm not too experienced with towing so I'm a little clueless. You base it more on the trailer you're towing right? So I'm guessing the better question is what is the height of the trailer hitch?
__________________
2008 135i MT
A22, LWAL, ZPP, ZSP, 322, 494, 507, 609, 653, 677, 6FL
MHD, ATM FMIC, ER Chargepipe, Forge DV, VRSF Downpipes, BMW Performance Suspension, RB PCV, CDV delete
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2009, 12:35 PM   #15
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

It took about 2.3 hrs.. lots of trial and error getting the bumper cover off.
It comes with a hitch neck i turn it upside down so it raises the hitch height. Ill post a pic with my ski attached.

TQ yes.. but on a big bolt and but for a bumper i didnt tq it to any spec.. just tight..
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2009, 04:32 PM   #16
scottn2retro
Major
scottn2retro's Avatar
496
Rep
1,342
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca.

iTrader: (2)

I haven't seen your trailer (other than submerged).

If I'm getting the small Harbor Freight Trailer
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2575

Then, I just need the model 118187 Modulite circuit, right?
__________________
2015 M4 BMW Club Racer
SCTS Racing
https://www.facebook.com/sctsraceteam/
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2009, 09:39 AM   #17
mecheng03
Private First Class
mecheng03's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
120
Posts

Drives: 135i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Adams, TN

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2008 BMW 135i  [0.00]
What part of the rear diffuser did you have to cut and do you have pics?
__________________
2008 135i MT
A22, LWAL, ZPP, ZSP, 322, 494, 507, 609, 653, 677, 6FL
MHD, ATM FMIC, ER Chargepipe, Forge DV, VRSF Downpipes, BMW Performance Suspension, RB PCV, CDV delete
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2009, 04:05 PM   #18
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mecheng03 View Post
What part of the rear diffuser did you have to cut and do you have pics?
There are 3 main pieces to the under tray. The smallest piece about 8in x 6in i just left off the car. Its underneath so instead of cutting it i just left the piece off for now.
Ill try and get a pic
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2009, 08:19 PM   #19
Kris
Colonel
No_Country
123
Rep
2,295
Posts

Drives: m3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: USOFA

iTrader: (0)

Sorry, so theres cutting behind the bumper but you dont need to cut anything thats visiable from the outside? Looks good! whats it rated to tow?
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2009, 11:26 PM   #20
Add1ct
Lieutenant Colonel
Add1ct's Avatar
58
Rep
1,859
Posts

Drives: 135i, 335i
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Palos Verdes Estates (SoCal)

iTrader: (3)

wow awesome, so I could tow my seadoo with this, wow, talk about having passing power!
__________________
E82 N54 6MT 6FL 668 KASW turned in
E92 Crimson/Cream N54 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, Nav, Sat radio, HD Radio, Logic7, PDC, Active Steering, Active Cruise, 6FL, CA
Appreciate 0
      07-10-2009, 01:00 PM   #21
scottn2retro
Major
scottn2retro's Avatar
496
Rep
1,342
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca.

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kris View Post
Sorry, so theres cutting behind the bumper but you dont need to cut anything thats visiable from the outside? Looks good! whats it rated to tow?
The hitch is rated at 2000 lbs. I think most small trailers using the 1 7/8" ball are rated somewhere in the 1000 - 2000 lb. range.
__________________
2015 M4 BMW Club Racer
SCTS Racing
https://www.facebook.com/sctsraceteam/
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2009, 07:07 AM   #22
john08135i
Major
john08135i's Avatar
United_States
77
Rep
1,027
Posts

Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (0)

Here it is doing its job.. Im heading to Lovers Key for the weekend.
Attached Images
 
__________________
M Sport Line Estoril Blue
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 09:11 PM.




1addicts
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