tow bar

[bonerp]

I want to either fit or get fitted a detachable tow bar with dedicated wiring. Had quotes around £595-£630 to fit and seen a kit for £437 to fit myself.

Had anyone done this? Is it easy? I dont think it needs coding using the dedicated wiring.

[IanP]

It is easy, you might need a hand getting the rear bumper off without scratching it though. If you get one with the proper wiring harness and relay its plug and play.

[Neil48is]

Try PFJones.co.uk I got my Westfalia detachable from them for £265 inc P&P and i think they do the electrics for around £100 aswell.

[X5Sport]

The OEM version comes with an additional module that alters the DSC parameters when a trailer is connected. What the effect is of non-OEM with regard to coding I don't know. Mine came direct from the factory as part of the order for the car.

[bonerp]

thanks - pfjones looks to be a good price.

does their witter set up come with a cross bar or is it just a replacement detachable bar? Its not clear.

[Neil48is]

I would imagine that the Witter includes the crossbar. For the extra that it costs i would go for the Westfalia,it has a higher towing capacity and is what is fitted by BMW themselves.

[stevox5]

Having fitted both I would go for the westfalia its better quality and easier to fit as the bolts for the replacement bumper irons are secured better and make fitting easier. Go for the oem electric kit too.
Cheers
Steve

[bonerp]

ok thanks westfalia it is.

I'm sure I have seen a video somewhere on interweb how to fit this (may have been from XOUT, but have searched on usual sites but cannot find it - anyone have a link handy?

Is there any drilling required or just pretty much plug and play/bolt up?

[Neil48is]

I fitted mine in a couple of hours,the hardest part is lifting the bumper on & off,you really need two people to avoid any scratches etc. But other than that its pretty straightforward.

[B5tew]

I fitted a Westfalia, supplied by PF Jones, to mine and the worst bit is fitting the trailer relay you have to cut the existing plug off of the loom in your car and you get a bag if crimp connectors to go on the wires and then put them into the connector they supply. The crimp connectors are not that good so I soldered mine just in case one decided to fall out.
Also when I started the car when I had finished the 4x4 light was on but went out as soon as i drove it.
I would recommend the Wesfalia as it is what BMW use as factory fit there is even a recess on the lefthand side of the boot for the detached bar to fit in.
Have a look at this thread
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2068&p=21004#p21004
Hope this helps
Stewart

[storminmike]

I see the detachable towbar bits on ebay a lot.....do they get knicked or something?

What's wong with a permanent bar apart from looks....can the be neat?

[Nige]

[quote=""storminmike""]I see the detachable towbar bits on ebay a lot.....do they get knicked or something?

What's wong with a permanent bar apart from looks....can the be neat?[/quote]

The removeable ones loof mean when you don`t need a towbar, the car looks much neater (IMO).

I fitted the Westfalia one in a couple of hours. Just take your time, follow the thorough instructions and its easy. I`d definately get the electronics moduls at the same time

[bonerp]

had a westfalia kit fitted in the end with dedicated wiring. However, the parking sensors dont work now - whether connected or not.

Is this right? Does your parking sensors work without the towbar being fixed up?

[Neil48is]

Hi as far as i know the sensors are only supposed to stop working when you have a trailer etc connected to the electrics.

[X5Sport]

Correct, rear parking sensors should work until a trailer is plugged in. That's certainly how mine work (OEM). Front's unaffected. Sounds like a wiring fault.