Detachable tow-bar recommendations?

[M50dG05]

Looking to fit a detachable bar to my X5, as need to be able to tow the caravan with it.

However, I'm wondering if having the CF rear splitter thingy will affect it?

Have spoken to BMW who confirmed that theirs (Westfalia) doesn't state that it's "not" compatible with the bodykit, so they say it will fit - However, at £1800+vat for the parts alone, I think I'll be sourcing my own!!

Just worried that the ball will be too close the the CF to allow the caravan hitch to fit properly, pic below..

20210714_081908.jpg (254.43 KiB) Viewed 33458 times

20210715_075219.jpg (212.11 KiB) Viewed 33458 times

[X5Sport]

Have a look at PF Jones website as it will list the options. The BMW cost is because most of the interior needs to come out to run the wiring. Westphalia bars are very good and I’ve bought kits through PF Jones and then diy’d the job. You can see all of the fitting (and body shell cutting) instruction on their website. You will need to make sure you buy the specific BMW wiring kit. Overall you’ll probably save £1,000 by not going to your dealership.

What you may need to watch for is the gap between the splitter and towball meets the minimum clearance limit.

PF Jones will also give you advice by phone if you need it. Some models need a specific rear bumper as it includes a removable panel to cover the towball hole when not fitted. They list a G05 version at just over £300 and a specific wiring kit (13-pin) at just over £140. That’s a lot better than BMW for the same hardware. You should fit 13-pin electrics these days.

[X5Sport]

Probably well worth asking your dealer to print the following installation manual too….

EBA 2468519

There’s no restriction shown on any of the BMW parts systems, but they haven’t been updated since Dec 2019 - before yours was built!

[Dogzyboy]

I have the carbon diffuser and have a TowTrust detachable towbar. I actually like it better than the Westfalia I had on the F15.

[M50dG05]

I have the carbon diffuser and have a TowTrust detachable towbar. I actually like it better than the Westfalia I had on the F15.

Good to know, fitting mine tomorrow!

[M50dG05]

Update on this.. The towbar would work fine with a "normal" hitch, but not with the Alko anti snake fitted to our caravan, as it's about 30mm closer to the car than a "plain" hitch.

No biggie, carbon trim comes off with 4 screws and have replaced the 2 "bonded" areas with HD velcro. Works a treat and takes 5 mins to remove/refit.

[Dogzyboy]

That’s odd. I’ve had no issues with my carbon diffuser, towtrust bar and Alko caravan hitch. I’ve done a couple of thousand miles with it so far this year.

[M50dG05]

I've got the Westfalia, aparrently identical to the dealer fit option, so God knows.

Luckily it's not a biggie..

[Dogzyboy]

Ah ok. My Westfalia on my F15 was a neat fit with the same combo, so maybe a Westfalia fit issue.

[nigel52]

I’m just about to buy a used 2023 G05 X5 and the dealer and several towbar specialists are saying there is no wiring kit for this model yet. So how are others making this work?

[X5Sport]

I’m surprised there isn’t an OEM retrofit kit? There usually is but the cost is significant. I was told the one for my MY2024 i4 (electric G26 4-series) was more than £3k. Hence doing a factory order.

[nigel52]

Like all things to with electric cars they are expensive. Mine is a diesel so hopefully nothing like as expensive.

[X5Sport]

The X6 one was £3k in 2010! It’s the fact that BMW basically remove most of the interior to run the cabling - it doesn’t need doing but that’s what the instructions say. Labour was the problem (and still is) as it was 12-hours by their booking system. The install doesn’t go anywhere near the high voltage battery (which is simply isolated).

There are wiring kits here: https://www.pfjones.co.uk/towbar-wiring ... -kits.html

Are none any good? Is your purchase a post 03/23 build (looks like later version not yet available).

[nigel52]

Spoken to PF Jones and none available yet