[Tr4ckD4ys]

Originally Posted by beto3934

Hello guys, any of you who have the stealth hitch installed in your precious X7, were able to have it coded? I have mine installed and wired with the harness provided by Stealth but never hesitated to do that. I have heard it can't be coded because it is not OEM? Thoughts and thank you

It’s VO coding and can’t just be done with BimmerCode but it’s very simple to do. Just reach out to codemybimmer.ca - they are a very reputable remote coding shop. It’ll code the trailer mode et cetera, but you have to make sure you have the BMW OEM wiring and trailer module installed for the coding to work and for you to be able to use your stealth hitch “like” an oem hitch with all the electronic anti sway control et cetera.

[beto3934]

Originally Posted by Tr4ckD4ys

It’s VO coding and can’t just be done with BimmerCode but it’s very simple to do. Just reach out to codemybimmer.ca - they are a very reputable remote coding shop. It’ll code the trailer mode et cetera, but you have to make sure you have the BMW OEM wiring and trailer module installed for the coding to work and for you to be able to use your stealth hitch “like” an oem hitch with all the electronic anti sway control et cetera.

Thank you for that information. When I bought the X7 I asked the salesperson and he mentioned the car wasn't prewire, would that means the code won't work? In fact the salesman was the one who recommend to install the Stealth hitch through a third party vendor

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Originally Posted by beto3934

Thank you for that information. When I bought the X7 I asked the salesperson and he mentioned the car wasn't prewire, would that means the code won't work? In fact the salesman was the one who recommend to install the Stealth hitch through a third party vendor

The coding without the physical module and wiring won’t work. You can buy those parts however and make it work… I think both together run at about 500$. Search in the X3 forums for stealth hitch coding and install, there was a thread with full link to parts needed to make the stealth hitch work like a factory hitch, just need some parts and install time.

[Tr4ckD4ys]

beto3934
Guess what… I felt like being nice today instead of trolling and actually searched for you. Below is the link to the thread (and correct page on the thread) that has all the details you need. I’m 95% sure parts for X5 are the same as for X7:
https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1720879&page=6

Scroll a bit down on there and it has all the part numbers and links you need. Also, since I said it above already, let me say it again: I wouldn’t go the stealth hitch route again because of a 500$-1k difference in cost. I’d definitely would recommend you getting the OEM parts and installing those! Stealth hitches are crap for anything but the rack option.

[ivinioX7]

I'm getting a quote to install the combo option from a local shop that the manufacturer recommended. Since the kit comes with the original BMW tow module, I assume they will also do the coding.
Someone mentioned that with the tow package, BMW install bigger brakes and a transmission cooler. Has anyone done that part?
I have a bike rack, but also planning to tow a larger trailer once in a while, usually less than 100 miles one way. Just wondering if transmission cooling and bigger brakes are needed in my situation.

[keg97]

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

I'm getting a quote to install the combo option from a local shop that the manufacturer recommended. Since the kit comes with the original BMW tow module, I assume they will also do the coding.
Someone mentioned that with the tow package, BMW install bigger brakes and a transmission cooler. Has anyone done that part?
I have a bike rack, but also planning to tow a larger trailer once in a while, usually less than 100 miles one way. Just wondering if transmission cooling and bigger brakes are needed in my situation.

I'm interested in how much your quote comes in at. As for the brakes/transmission upgrade, I can't imagine it'd be necessary.

[PinkNinja400Guy]

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

I'm getting a quote to install the combo option from a local shop that the manufacturer recommended. Since the kit comes with the original BMW tow module, I assume they will also do the coding.
Someone mentioned that with the tow package, BMW install bigger brakes and a transmission cooler. Has anyone done that part?
I have a bike rack, but also planning to tow a larger trailer once in a while, usually less than 100 miles one way. Just wondering if transmission cooling and bigger brakes are needed in my situation.

X7 with factory hitch is rated for ~7500 lbs tow capacity. X7 with aftermarket hitch is rated for ~5500 lbs tow capacity. This is listed in the owners manual.

Unless your route is 100 miles of going down a hill, I doubt the bigger brakes are needed.

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

X7 with factory hitch is rated for ~7500 lbs tow capacity. X7 with aftermarket hitch is rated for ~5500 lbs tow capacity. This is listed in the owners manual.

Unless your route is 100 miles of going down a hill, I doubt the bigger brakes are needed.

It's the 6x10 landscape trailer that I haul sometimes and the max weight never exceeds 5k
I think I worry more about having a transmission cooler. But since my car is prewired for towing, could that mean it's already installed?

[classic_erik]

Just installed my stealth hitch and using it for the first time with a bike rack. Is it normal to have some play / wiggle in the rack once installed? I would have thought it was rock solid but there is definitely some slight give left to right that I’m concerned about.

[sharp]

Originally Posted by classic_erik

Just installed my stealth hitch and using it for the first time with a bike rack. Is it normal to have some play / wiggle in the rack once installed? I would have thought it was rock solid but there is definitely some slight give left to right that I’m concerned about.

Where does the wiggle come from?
For the typical "1 piece" hitches the wiggle is normal and there are solutions to avoid it. But the stealth hitch is a "2 piece" construction so the wiggle may come from the attachment even when a bike rack is not installed.

[classic_erik]

Originally Posted by sharp

Where does the wiggle come from?
For the typical "1 piece" hitches the wiggle is normal and there are solutions to avoid it. But the stealth hitch is a "2 piece" construction so the wiggle may come from the attachment even when a bike rack is not installed.

I should have clarified the wiggle is in the receiver with nothing attached to it, so nothing to do with the bike rack.

[sharp]

I installed the Stealth Hitch on my 2021 X7 and the receiver doesn't have any wiggle.

[keg97]

Originally Posted by sharp

I installed the Stealth Hitch on my 2021 X7 and the receiver doesn't have any wiggle.

Getting ready to pull the trigger on a stealth hitch. Where did you get it? Install go well? Mind sharing some pics?
Thanks!

[sharp]

Originally Posted by keg97

Getting ready to pull the trigger on a stealth hitch. Where did you get it? Install go well? Mind sharing some pics?
Thanks!

I purchased the hitch from etrailer because they had free shipping. Here is the link

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...ID=20215002480

I installed it at one of the BMW workshops in Chicagoland area. Paid $200 for the labor.

I'll try to take some pictures later, but they won't be any different to ones in this thread.

[sharp]

Originally Posted by keg97

Getting ready to pull the trigger on a stealth hitch. Where did you get it? Install go well? Mind sharing some pics?
Thanks!

Here are some pictures of the hitch. When the receiver accessory is removed, the hitch is completely hidden.

[keg97]

Beautiful- love that. I actually think it looks much cleaner than the OEM setup. We won't use the hitch more than a couple times/year and have no need for the wiring setup so this is perfect.
Thanks!

[chefwong]

Originally Posted by sharp

I installed it at one of the BMW workshops in Chicagoland area. Paid $200 for the labor.

Just $2
The labor time involved to remove and reinstall all the trim in order to get access pays for that right there. The would be a no brainer on labor presuming all clips/tabs are accounted for post install

[sharp]

Originally Posted by keg97

Beautiful- love that. I actually think it looks much cleaner than the OEM setup. We won't use the hitch more than a couple times/year and have no need for the wiring setup so this is perfect.
Thanks!

You're welcome. The Stealth Hitch installation requires trimming a lower part of the bumper (but not facia) so it leaves an opening for the hitch receiver installation. I'm a bit concerned that the opening might collect some road debris over the time, but we'll see. Also, the opening is relatively narrow so I keep scratching my fingers every time I install the attachment and lock/unlock it with a key. Those are the drawbacks I've noticed.

Honestly, I'd choose OEM hitch if I could. Not only is it cheaper, but it is more functional and well integrated into iDrive. I don't mind the looks.

Originally Posted by chefwong

Just $2
The labor time involved to remove and reinstall all the trim in order to get access pays for that right there. The would be a no brainer on labor presuming all clips/tabs are accounted for post install

I was actually surprised to pay only $200 for the installation. A BMW dealer said they charge $250 per hour and the installation will take between 2 and 3 hours, so $200 was a smoking deal. The hitch installation requires removing the rear bumper and I didn't want to mess with that. In my experience removing something is a relatively simple job, but putting it back in place might be a challenge

[bmwchicago]

FYI, I just had the OEM hitch quoted from a BMW dealer for a 2020 with the pre-wiring.

$2,100 for labor to paint the bumper and install/program all the parts.

total will be approximately $5,620 + tax on parts.

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by bmwchicago

FYI, I just had the OEM hitch quoted from a BMW dealer for a 2020 with the pre-wiring.

$2,100 for labor to paint the bumper and install/program all the parts.

total will be approximately $5,620 + tax on parts.

So $7k!!

I am seeing X7 hitches in the $700 not $7000 range online and my factory installed was $600.00. Am I looking at something wrong?

[bmwchicago]

I am sharing what BMW dealer quoted me for OEM setup. It is more than just the trailer hitch as it includes all the parts, electrical, programming, new bumper, and painting required to have the OEM Tow Setup (minus brakes and radiator).

I've attached the part list included in this quote for reference.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by rjabend

I am seeing X7 hitches in the $700 not $7000 range online and my factory installed was $600.00. Am I looking at something wrong?

yeah, its always cheaper from the factory. the cost deltas for the parts are minimal and you are substituting, not replacing.

the stealth hitch is 700 but does not include the install or the wiring. figure the install will cost another 500-700. and thats for the bike rack only hitch, for wiring its more. the stealth hitch doesnt need a new bumper cover as it attaches from underneath. you just cut a big hole in one of the existing underbody panels.

for a factory hitch, you need a new bumper cover and trim (in addition to the hitch parts) which needs to be painted. basically a bumper replacement. you're tossing the original bumper and the subreinforcement thats replaced by the hitch.