[Jason]

For anyone considering the tow hitch option (Option 3AC. 2 ton towing capacity). Car belongs to scandic24.

[czechm8]

That is awesome!

[gorban]

I checked that option for my F11 touring. Really neat solution where you don't have to struggle with a detachable hitch.

With the rear camera option, the lens changes when the hitch is out so that you can see the hitch when you back up against the trailer.

[E60orBust]

...someone slip a Viagra in that car's gas tank?

[ghueser]

That is friggin awesome! I dont have anything to tow, but would be worth it to get that option just to see it work.

I can just see puttiing a sign on it saying "get off my ass" and deploy as your going down the highway!

[Scandic24]

Originally Posted by ghueser

That is friggin awesome! I dont have anything to tow, but would be worth it to get that option just to see it work.

I can just see puttiing a sign on it saying "get off my ass" and deploy as your going down the highway!

Hahaha!
"Sit on this, suckers!"

[jbarker1515]

Hi Guys...I am new to the forum and just recently bought my FIRST BMW (2011 F10). I did weeks of research, but overlooked one aspect that I am now kicking myself over...a tow hitch. I have a very light kayak/sail boat that I need to tow, but am having no luck finding a hitch in production in the States. Would the Electric Tow Hitch work on my 528? If so, where can I find one/order one. If not, do any of you have any other suggestions for me? Uhaul said they would custom build one for $1200!

Thanks for you help in advance.

JB

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by ghueser

That is friggin awesome! I dont have anything to tow, but would be worth it to get that option just to see it work.

I can just see puttiing a sign on it saying "get off my ass" and deploy as your going down the highway!

Unfortunately, the hitch is operated by a switch in the trunk. So, it probably cannot be deployed in motion. Unless you got someone lying in trunk of course.
By the way, I deploy the hitch every time I park the car curbside, or in a tight garage. Just to scare off other motorists

[Huncowboy]

Any chance to mount a different type of hook? I am talking about the square type. I would like to mount a bike rack.

[Kayman]

I am thinking of covering the tow hitch with a rubber finger so I can remotely flip off drivers who rightly deserve it

[EV0LVE]

Originally Posted by Kayman

I am thinking of covering the tow hitch with a rubber finger so I can remotely flip off drivers who rightly deserve it

you beat me to it, first thing that came to my mind. almost like this but wih a middle finger

[kd6lor]

Thanks for sharing the video. I have never seen anything like that. Going to pass on the obvious jokes as there are so many...

Paul

[eripers]

Originally Posted by jbarker1515

Hi Guys...I am new to the forum and just recently bought my FIRST BMW (2011 F10). I did weeks of research, but overlooked one aspect that I am now kicking myself over...a tow hitch. I have a very light kayak/sail boat that I need to tow, but am having no luck finding a hitch in production in the States. Would the Electric Tow Hitch work on my 528? If so, where can I find one/order one. If not, do any of you have any other suggestions for me? Uhaul said they would custom build one for $1200!

Thanks for you help in advance.

JB

On my last E39 I got a tow hitch retrofitted. It was from Westfalia, and from the product list it looks like (http://www.westfalia-automotive.de/index.php?id=5&L=1) they still use these, on F10 the “Swivelling” is used , on E39 it was the “Automatically removable” I got retrofitted .

It was quite a bit of work to mount, and a special control unit for the electrical integration was needed so the cost ended in the same price range. The control unit gives power to the trailer lights, and controls them as the ordinary lights and also adjust the beavior of several functions the car for trailer towing so if you get a custom build I would make sure they use the OEM solution for powering the lights.

[eripers]

Originally Posted by Huncowboy

Any chance to mount a different type of hook? I am talking about the square type. I would like to mount a bike rack.

The racks from Thule should fit, see http://www.thule.com/en/US/Products/BikeCarriers/Hitch/.

[ccuk-F10]

Originally Posted by E60orBust

...someone slip a Viagra in that car's gas tank?

Wow! I wish I got that option - nothing to tow but it would be just SO much fun!

Friends love the Park Assist but I can just imagine the squeels of laughter over the trailer hitch! Sad maybe, but all in good fun

[Bmrmeup]

Way COOL .........

[EdM5]

Okay, so I've enjoyed this goodie for about 15 months now.

The verdict: sucks big time!!!
The system broke down 4 times already.
On each occasion there was some sort of mechanical problem (I could hear some friction) and then the computer shut down the system completely.

During the second failure the system shut down with the tow hitch partially deployed - at the lowest possible point. No way in the world I could master a speed bump. Obviously, it happened on holidays in Southern France

My dealer resetted the computer several times. Loaded a sw patch. Hell they even swapped the entire unit twice (computer plus hitch). They are so desperate that they offered to reimburse me.

[vdubturbo]

Is this even available in the US? Why do I doubt it is?

[davesf]

This thing looks too good to be true...

If I needed a hitch on my 550, I'd try to get someone to mount a hitch-port through the rear-bumper (and fashion a cap to cover it), and if that wasn't feasable, I'd go hide-a-hitch.

[jadnashuanh]

I know this is an older thread, but a couple of comments: the Westfalia hitch is not legal in the US (the gooseneck ball doesn't fit our trailers). While I have a 5GT, Execuhitch does make a hitch that works on most BMW's (it's custom to each version). The only thing that needs to be cut is the gravel pan beneath the vehicle (not the bumper cover). I have it on my GT. If you only want to use it for a bike carrier, you do not need the wiring harness. You need to select either the square receiver or a ball towing adapter to plug into the basic hitch. Note, the square receiver is NOT built to tow anything, and you'd be at severe risk if you tried to put a ball into it then tow - just buy their ball hitch which replaces the square receiver entirely.

The US dealers don't know how to deal with reprogramming the computer to use the hitch and unless you go with the (only option I've found) wiring harness/interface kit from Right Connection in the UK, you won't get the automatic detection of a trailer. Course with a bike carrier, it may not be necessary. The PDC screams at me with mine (no interface, no programming) when I have my bike carrier. But, my carrier is really a basket that I carry my ICE trike in, and sits fairly low - right in the way of the PDC sensors.