Can you put a trailer hitch on a BMW X5?

Depending on which BMW you have, you can opt for a tow package that comes with a trailer hitch, or you can purchase an aftermarket trailer hitch and install it yourself. 

BMW’s luxurious SUVs are also powerful and functional, with cargo space and towing capacity that stacks up to that of any of its competitors. But if you’re planning on taking the boat out to the lake for the weekend, you may need to install your own towing gear.

To give you a better idea of what to expect when it comes to BMW trailer hitches, Jerry, the super app for car owners, has put together an overview of how to get your BMW towing ready. We’ll end off with some tips about your BMW car insurance! 

Which BMWs come with a trailer hitch? 

In most cases, if you want a trailer hitch on your brand-new BMW, you’re either going to have to add a Towing Package or install one yourself. 

If you go the DIY route, you’ll need to purchase a trailer hitch and a ball mount.

These two work together to haul whatever you need within the car’s towing capacity. You can pick them up on BMW’s parts website or from aftermarket providers. There are also other kinds of trailer hitches, like receiver hitches or stealth hitches, that may fit in more with your BMW’s aesthetic.

Trailer hitch kits vary in cost and towing capacity, so make sure you find one that is compatible with your car and your towing needs. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect trailer hitches to cost for each model:

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Can you put a hitch on a BMW sedan? 

The table above features BMW SUVs, but what about its sedan-style models? If you purchase a BMW 3-Series, for example, can you add a trailer hitch?

The short answer is: Maybe. You’ll need to know the towing capacity for the specific model you’re driving and any manufacturer-recommended limitations on what and if you can tow. This information is in your car’s owner’s manual, but sedans, even ones as powerful as BMWs, often aren’t meant for towing anything. 

How to pick a BMW trailer hitch

Make sure you know the best type of hitch to buy for your car. These are the three main types of trailer hitch: 

• Receiver hitch: A commonly-used hitch type, the receiver hitch is mounted to the vehicle’s frame in accordance with thorough safety standards.

• Front-mounted hitch: Some BMWs may have front-mounted hitch capability to accommodate a winch, cargo carrier, snowplow, and more.

• Bumper hitch: Bumper hitches are more adaptable than receiver hitches, but can’t support as much weight since they’re attached to the car’s bumper as opposed to the frame.

Genuine BMW trailer hitches vs. aftermarket hitches for BMW

Next, you’ll have to decide where to buy the parts you need. You have two options: More expensive, but more reliable genuine BMW parts, or less expensive, potentially riskier aftermarket parts.

Websites like Amazon and automotive parts sellers like CURT may offer the parts you need for less, but OEM parts from BMW are designed specifically for your vehicle, which may be worth the extra cash.

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Intro to trailer classes

We talked about different kinds of trailer hitches above, but we have yet to get into what trailer class means. Towing capacity is the name of the game here, with hitches split into five classes depending on how much weight your BMW can handle: 

• Class I: Up to 2,000 lbs

• Class II: 2,000 to 3,500 lbs

• Class III: 3,500 to 8,000 lbs 

• Class IV: 5,000 to 12,000 lbs 

• Class V: 10,000 to 25,000 lbs 

The best BMW X3 trailer hitch

Let’s take a look at the BMW X3 as an example. An optional factory-installed trailer hitch for the X3 cost $550, but if you’ve already driven your new BMW off the lot without a trailer hitch, you can still buy and install one at any point:

The best BMW X5 trailer hitch

The BMW X5's towing capacity starts at 6,603 pounds, but if you add the BMW tow package with the trailer hitch included, the BMW X5 can tow 7,200 pounds — definitely enough to get your boat to the lake!

The best BMW X6 trailer hitch

With a maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds, you’ll need a Class III towing hitch to carry the load. An X5 trailer hitch may also be compatible with the X6, but double-check the specs before you buy.

The best BMW X7 trailer hitch

There aren’t a lot of aftermarket options for an X7 trailer hitch, but the factory-installed hitch leaves something to be desired. For one thing, it can interfere with the foot-kick feature for opening the rear liftgate. Car and Driver tested a Stealth trailer hitch with positive reviews.

How to install a trailer hitch on a BMW

You can install the hitch yourself if you have the right tools and feel comfortable taking on a DIY project. If you prefer to leave it to a professional, take it to your dealer or mechanic. 

Your BMW dealer, your mechanic, or a U-Haul garage can all install trailer hitches. It’ll cost between $100 and $250 for labor, plus the cost of the equipment. Depending on your BMW model, if you use OEM or aftermarket parts, and other factors, you can expect to shell out between $600 and $800 for a basic trailer hitch installation. 

If you’re doing it yourself, you’ll want to start by gathering the following tools: 

• A socket set

• A ratchet and ratchet extension

• A swivel socket

• A torque wrench

Don’t forget to use work gloves, safety glasses, and a work light to ensure that you stay protected and aware of your surroundings while you’re working on your vehicle.

Whichever trailer hitch you invest in, it should come with detailed instructions on how to install it. Make sure you follow them to the letter. Here are some tips for installing the trailer hitch:

• Use jack stands to raise your vehicle for easy access

• Be aware that towing hardware can be very heavy — parts can weigh 50 pounds or more. An extra set of hands can help lighten the load.

• Follow the instructions and torque all bolts according to the specifications.

How to upgrade your BMW insurance

You can now tow what you need to tow, wherever you want to go! Why not take a minute to save on your BMW car insurance costs with Jerry? 

On the road or off the road, you want to protect your vehicle and the people inside it! With Jerry, finding the coverage you want for an affordable price is much easier than installing a trailer hitch. Just download the app and watch as Jerry pulls personalized quotes from over 55 top-rated providers — all in under a minute! 

“Insurance companies originally charged me $189 while driving my BMW 300 miles per year. Thanks to Jerry, I only pay $56! I’m so happy.”  —Ray T. 

FAQs

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