DIY- Trailer hitch

[john08135i]

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

[john08135i]

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.

[john08135i]

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..

[john08135i]

Next loosen the exhaust from one bolt from underneath.

[john08135i]

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.

[john08135i]

Reverse for assembly.

[john08135i]

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.

[john08135i]

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.

[jibaholic101]

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!

[JimD]

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

[john08135i]

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

[john08135i]

Here is it maiden voyage to the boat ramp

[DocSean]

Dude....NICE WORK! I love it!

[mecheng03]

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?

[john08135i]

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..

[scottn2retro]

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?

[mecheng03]

What part of the rear diffuser did you have to cut and do you have pics?

[john08135i]

Originally Posted by mecheng03

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

[Kris]

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?

[Add1ct]

wow awesome, so I could tow my seadoo with this, wow, talk about having passing power!

[scottn2retro]

Originally Posted by Kris

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.

[john08135i]

Here it is doing its job.. Im heading to Lovers Key for the weekend.