[bmtespar]

I will have to get a hitch installed on my new x3. I’m happy to see they are already producing aftermarket hitches for the vehicle but wonder if anyone else may have some insights into this. I’m wondering if with the hitch installed, you would lose the kick sensor. Also I’m wondering if anyone makes a plug that would connect to the trailer pre-wiring. My car has full led lighting and I wonder if tapping the lights will throw a code or cause other issues. Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated. I’m pretty handy and am still deciding to install the hitch myself or let someone else remove the bumper and taillights.

[JeffHou73]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

I will have to get a hitch installed on my new x3. I’m happy to see they are already producing aftermarket hitches for the vehicle but wonder if anyone else may have some insights into this. I’m wondering if with the hitch installed, you would lose the kick sensor. Also I’m wondering if anyone makes a plug that would connect to the trailer pre-wiring. My car has full led lighting and I wonder if tapping the lights will throw a code or cause other issues. Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated. I’m pretty handy and am still deciding to install the hitch myself or let someone else remove the bumper and taillights.

Not sure on the after-market but from the factory you definitely lose the kick sensor. But, you probably new that.

[bmtespar]

Originally Posted by JeffHou73

Not sure on the after-market but from the factory you definitely lose the kick sensor. But, you probably new that.

Yep. It looks like from the install instructions I’ve read from Curt, the sensor stays in place and should still function. I had a hitch added to my x1 and the sensor still functioned. Although, it did try to take my head off a few times while attaching the tow chains. I’ll continue to post more info here as I figure it out.

[Slalom]

Stealth Hitches say that their product does not interfere with the kick to open feature.

https://stealthhitches.com/products/...5-2018-present

[bmtespar]

I reached out to my local installer who installed my last one. He hasn’t done one yet on the new x3 but says that it should still work. I actually enjoy the kick to open feature except the few times the tailgate lid almost took my head off while I was connecting the chains from my trailer.

[bmtespar]

I was able to code the trailer zoom feature into my car via Bimmer code app. Works great. I should be installing the hitch early next month when I return home. I’ll post back pictures of the install.

[kym40i]

Originally Posted by Slalom

Stealth Hitches say that their product does not interfere with the kick to open feature.

https://stealthhitches.com/products/...5-2018-present

I can confirm this.

I installed the Stealth Hitch on my m40i over the weekend and the kick still works. I really like having the hitch hidden and having the option to swap between the tow and rack hitch. With the this hitch system, i was able to keep most of the gravel guard and only needed to make cut-outs to gain access to the release handle and key hole.

[bmtespar]

That’s great. I am going to try and get my hitch installed this week. How’d your install go?

[Sharpedge]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

I was able to code the trailer zoom feature into my car via Bimmer code app. Works great..

Where in the app is this setting?

[bmtespar]

Going strictly off memory but the setting was under the radio module. I think NBT2. Same place you would get rid of the legal disclaimer.

[pcmike]

Do you have any additional pictures? Maybe from the back looking head on at where the hitch would be showing how stealth it truly is and maybe a picture with the tow and with the rack installed? It’s so hard to make sense of just these under the floor shots, especially for someone like me who hasn’t even taken delivery of my X3 and has never had any hitch before or any vehicle. Thank you in advance.

Originally Posted by kym40i

I can confirm this.

I installed the Stealth Hitch on my m40i over the weekend and the kick still works. I really like having the hitch hidden and having the option to swap between the tow and rack hitch. With the this hitch system, i was able to keep most of the gravel guard and only needed to make cut-outs to gain access to the release handle and key hole.


Attachment 1841169

Attachment 1841170

[kym40i]

Originally Posted by pcmike

Do you have any additional pictures? Maybe from the back looking head on at where the hitch would be showing how stealth it truly is and maybe a picture with the tow and with the rack installed? It’s so hard to make sense of just these under the floor shots, especially for someone like me who hasn’t even taken delivery of my X3 and has never had any hitch before or any vehicle. Thank you in advance.

See below for additional pictures.

I bought the hitch combo for $697 w/ free shipping and installed it myself. Would be happy to share tips or photos of each step in the installation for anyone thinking of doing the same.

[kym40i]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

That’s great. I am going to try and get my hitch installed this week. How’d your install go?

Install was straightforward. Instructions are pretty good except there are one or two extra rivets on the m40i that need to be removed, but it's pretty easy to figure out which ones. The only somewhat difficult step was Steps 10-12. They recommend using an 8mm socket to remove the two screws underneath the wheel well trims, but that's a bit difficult since you cant completely remove the trim by only taking out three plastic rivets. I wouldn't recommend taking out all the plastic rivets that are associated with the wheel well trim. Taking the three like they suggest is good enough to pull back the trim and get access to the screws. For these screws, use a wrench instead - much easier.

Step 16 (unclipping the fascia) can be a bit difficult. There's three clips on either side - start with the one closest to the passenger door, and work back toward the trunk. be gentle. could easily puncture the plastic clips on this step.

(Not in the manual) If you're towing harness comes with a relay (Zhong Tong zt603) and it makes a buzzing noise, they recommend removing the relay from the circuit (remove the two brown wires and connect them together with a single butt connector)

Once you have your hitch mounted but before tightening, make sure to have those muffler brackets at the lowest position so you can easily screw it back to the factory reinforcement beam later. I made the mistake on one side where I tightened up the hitch without realizing i couldn't adjust the muffler bracket back down properly...

I wouldn't recommend cutting the gravel guard like they suggest in the manual. Just use a power drill, drill bit, and swiss army knife to make appropriate-sized cut-outs (2 holes in the gravel guard - one for hitch and second for terminal block). I also made flaps on either side of the hitch to minimize the cut-out size but big enough so I can gain access to the key hole and handle.

hope your install goes well!

[bmtespar]

So the socket you have is a round 6 pin? How did it hook up? Was there factory wiring there to plug into or did you have to use wire taps?

[Sea-Tac]

Originally Posted by Slalom

Stealth Hitches say that their product does not interfere with the kick to open feature.

https://stealthhitches.com/products/...5-2018-present

Thats good to know. Thanks for the link.

[Sea-Tac]

Originally Posted by kym40i

I can confirm this.

I installed the Stealth Hitch on my m40i over the weekend and the kick still works. I really like having the hitch hidden and having the option to swap between the tow and rack hitch. With the this hitch system, i was able to keep most of the gravel guard and only needed to make cut-outs to gain access to the release handle and key hole.


Attachment 1841169

Attachment 1841170

Nice shots. How did it feel cutting into the underlayment?

[bmtespar]

I had my hitch installed today. It took the shop 3.5 hours but that includes wiring for lights. I’m very happy with how it came out. Kick function still works fine and I’m happy to report the tailgate lid did not try to open or close while I was installing the hitch or plug while testing the height of my trailer. This was a problem on my x1. Also, Curt does a great job of making sure the hitch sticks out at a good depth to the bumper.

[gherd100@gmail.com]

Nice looking install. Hoping to do the same.

[stelthy]

So I am thinking of getting a stealth hitch, but not using their wiring harness. Personally, I would like to have all stability control features working correctly.

I found the part numbers for the US factory harness and control unit. I wonder how hard this will be to get working...

Here is a link to the assembly: https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...ct=12547896#05

The part number for the control unit is: 71606889584
And the part number for the harness is: 61126992412

Total for the harness and control unit is $340 (discounted price). Plus the stealth hitch ($658) and coding ($?). Going to be a bit pricey...

[bmtespar]

I love the idea of the stealth hitch but that was way too much money for me to spend for pulling my trailer 4 or 5 times a year. I thought about using the factory oem plug and retro fitting it. I was told on another social media site by a bmw tech that the retrofit can not be performed. I’m not sure how accurate that is but that is what I was told. I’m assuming the control unit and plug would have to be coded to the car to tell it is there. I was able to code the trailer zoom but that is something completely separate of the control unit. Good luck with this and let us know what you discover.

[jalanjohn]

Any plans for BMW factory hitch to be available for dealer install?

[bmtespar]

So you can find the parts on bmw parts site. I would assume everything should be able to be retrofitted as the parts have to be replaced in the event of an accident. From what I’ve said above, I think all the parts are availsble but it may be impossible to code the added module. This may be what the BMW technician was referring to. I’ll try to get some clarification and post back.