trailer hitch

JimVonBaden · 02-18-2019, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

Hitches are great on these! I've seen people tow their jet ski on i-95

My wife will be happy. I can carry the bikes on a rack, and no danger to her Audi Q5.

iminhell1 · 02-18-2019, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Are they different from the front bumper cover?

Yes, or at least my front. Maybe the 128 differs?
My front was all screws. Worst part there was fighting to get the damn headlights out, like icebergs, much more under the bumper than expected. LOL

Rear is this

tabs circled
line is where the screw is under the fender liner

JimVonBaden · 02-19-2019, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iminhell1

Yes, or at least my front. Maybe the 128 differs?
My front was all screws. Worst part there was fighting to get the damn headlights out, like icebergs, much more under the bumper than expected. LOL

Rear is this

tabs circled
line is where the screw is under the fender liner

My 128 had similar pop-in inserts on both sides, so I should be OK.

Thanks,

bobdavisnpf · 02-19-2019, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

My 128 had similar pop-in inserts on both sides, so I should be OK.

Thanks,

Not sure how hard it would be to set up a video of this pop-in removal process, but it'd really help a guy getting ready to do this next...

JimD · 02-21-2019, 07:36 AM

I've commented previously that with a powered "box" relay for the tail lights everything worked fine. Well now, more than a year after I put on the hitch, I have a warning light for an exterior light issue. I am pretty sure all my bulbs are working fine. I need to check to be sure none of my wiring came loose or anything - but I'm wondering if the bimmer is now objecting to the trailer wiring. I'll update if I trace it to that.

JimVonBaden · 02-21-2019, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobdavisnpf

Not sure how hard it would be to set up a video of this pop-in removal process, but it'd really help a guy getting ready to do this next...

Setup is easy, filming a little extra work, editing content to me standards could take a while. I will consider it.
Thanks,

iminhell1 · 02-26-2019, 12:10 PM

because I was looking through the manual ...

How to remove rear bumper:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...bumper/P3lKscM

JimVonBaden · 03-02-2019, 03:46 PM

I installed my hitch and wiring today on my BMW 128i convertible. It was pretty easy, even though the 128I requires the bumper cover to come off.

The center belly panel came off first, then the right side one. I left off the center when I put it back together. The bumper cover came off pretty easy. Remove all the bolts, then pull directly back on the bumper and the side clips come off pretty easily.

Then I temporarily installed the hitch. The clearance looked pretty good, but I did not want to do this twice, so I cat the exhaust mount as advised.

Tons of clearance now, and enough of the mount left to still be strong. I radiused the corner of the cut to reduce the chance of cracking.

Next the wiring kit.

I borrowed this from a member early in the thread, and use the Modulite 119147: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Left side of the car in multibulb assembly wires:
MODULITE ----------------------------------------------135i
LEFT TURN -------------------------------------- Blue wire with green stripe
BRAKES ----------------------------------------- Purple with Yellow stripe

Left side of the car on Tail light bulb harness:
TAIL LIGHTS ------------------------------------ Purple wire with Light Blue stripe

Right side of the car in multibulb assembly:
RIGHT TURN ------------------------------------- Blue wire with Brown stripe

Wire colors were fine for the 128i, and I used Posi-Taps instead of the supplied crappy crimp splices.

I will use this to tow very occasionally, so I elected to keep the trailer connector in the trunk. I will hang it out when I tow. Mostly it will be used for a bicycle rack. I tested the wiring with a trailer wiring tester and it worked perfectly.

It fit nice, and is a clean look.

BettyGA · 03-23-2021, 03:53 AM

I also have a trailer and we decided to use it for a trip to the campsite. But it had to be repaired a little bit, we looked at camping world reviews to buy spare parts. We have not decided yet where we will buy. By the way, we also need a cable for the bmw x5 car.

02-21-2019, 07:36 AM	#49
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I've commented previously that with a powered "box" relay for the tail lights everything worked fine. Well now, more than a year after I put on the hitch, I have a warning light for an exterior light issue. I am pretty sure all my bulbs are working fine. I need to check to be sure none of my wiring came loose or anything - but I'm wondering if the bimmer is now objecting to the trailer wiring. I'll update if I trace it to that. __________________ 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 1 bobdavisnpf99.00 Quote

02-26-2019, 12:10 PM	#51
iminhell1 C2H5OH 3915 Rep 2,144 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	because I was looking through the manual ... How to remove rear bumper: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...bumper/P3lKscM
	Appreciate 1 JimVonBaden902.50 Quote

03-02-2019, 03:46 PM	#52
JimVonBaden BMW Cool Aide! 903 Rep 841 Posts Drives: 2011 128i Convertible Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (0)	I installed my hitch and wiring today on my BMW 128i convertible. It was pretty easy, even though the 128I requires the bumper cover to come off. The center belly panel came off first, then the right side one. I left off the center when I put it back together. The bumper cover came off pretty easy. Remove all the bolts, then pull directly back on the bumper and the side clips come off pretty easily. Then I temporarily installed the hitch. The clearance looked pretty good, but I did not want to do this twice, so I cat the exhaust mount as advised. Tons of clearance now, and enough of the mount left to still be strong. I radiused the corner of the cut to reduce the chance of cracking. Next the wiring kit. I borrowed this from a member early in the thread, and use the Modulite 119147: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Left side of the car in multibulb assembly wires: MODULITE ----------------------------------------------135i LEFT TURN -------------------------------------- Blue wire with green stripe BRAKES ----------------------------------------- Purple with Yellow stripe Left side of the car on Tail light bulb harness: TAIL LIGHTS ------------------------------------ Purple wire with Light Blue stripe Right side of the car in multibulb assembly: RIGHT TURN ------------------------------------- Blue wire with Brown stripe Wire colors were fine for the 128i, and I used Posi-Taps instead of the supplied crappy crimp splices. I will use this to tow very occasionally, so I elected to keep the trailer connector in the trunk. I will hang it out when I tow. Mostly it will be used for a bicycle rack. I tested the wiring with a trailer wiring tester and it worked perfectly. It fit nice, and is a clean look. __________________ Jim www.JVBProductions.com
	Appreciate 1 iminhell13914.50 Quote

03-23-2021, 03:53 AM	#53
BettyGA Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW x5 Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I also have a trailer and we decided to use it for a trip to the campsite. But it had to be repaired a little bit, we looked at camping world reviews to buy spare parts. We have not decided yet where we will buy. By the way, we also need a cable for the bmw x5 car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote