Towbar fitting to BMW X5

Today we fitted a towbar to a series 2, BMW X5 which we are now seeing quite a few of coming through. It is actually an easier tow hitch to install than the earlier BMW X5 but is still a good 3 hours. The tow bar we use for this vehicle is a Hayman Reese 2700kg rated hitch with a wiring loom manufactured by Hayman Reese in Australia for vehicles with sensitive electrics.

The towbar fits up behind the bumper and is bolted across the rear of vehicle onto the mountings at the chassis rail ends as shown in photo.

With the bar fitted the bumper is notched with 100mm wide by 145mm deep slot to clear the bar which leaves a neat finish with just the hitch box showing.

The job is completed with an electrical hook up, for which we use a special loom that isolates any trailer faults from the vehicle to prevent damage to the cars sensitive electronics. This runs the trailer lights directly from the battery with just a tiny trigger signal coming from the vehicle circuits.

To compare this fitting with a BMW dealer installation you are making compromises. The quality of the tow bar itself is as good as it gets. However, a BMW loom with its associated reprogramming of the computer should interface with the vehicle's stability control systems. However, I suspect it is going to be more than double the cost. Our fitting, coupled with a sensible approach to driving  when towing suits many customers just fine.

See our towbar finder for current fitted priced
Allow 4 hours, call for a booking on 02 9817 1475 or come and see us.

Tow bar fitting to BMW X5 (E53) Series 1

The series 1 BMW X5 was sold in Australia from 04/2001 to 04/2007. The Hayman Reese tow bar fitting for this vehicle is a bigger install than the later model and we allow about 4 hours to complete. There is a fair amount of dismantling involved with bumper removed, the mufflers dropped, heat shields removed and a whole load of plastic panelling in the boot. The towbar arms fit inside the chassis rails each side which gives a very strong attachment producing a towbar rating of 2700kg max trailer.
Again we use a Hayman Reese distribution box to look after the trailer lighting circuits while protecting the vehicles electronics.

See our towbar finder for current fitted priced
Please call the shop on 02 9817 1475 to check current pricing, book an install or ask any questions you may have. Or come in and see us (map)

Come see our new shop!

We are now in our new shop. After 5 years in in our little old shop in Gladesville we are now in and established in the new shop. We still have stuff to do, the frontage is still missing signage and the show room and workshop will be constantly evolving but we're in and trading. We commisioned the lovely Rebecca from Becsmart murals to paint the side of the building and she spent a week perched on scaffold to produce a great outback scene for us. Thanks to Mick and his team from Sydney Shopfitters who fiited out the show room to a high standard with no fuss. And also thanks to the other Mick from Micks Pressure Cleaning for getting rid of over 30 years of grime. Finally thanks to the boys who work for Shop1auto for doing their part and not forgetting my Dad who came out of retirement to take up the paint brushes and for accepting payment in KFCs and Subway sandwiches.

So we are in and with the extra space we have taken on more stock. I believe we now carry one of the most extensive ranges of roof rack products in Australia. We now stock over 400 fitting kits so if we do not have a roof rack in stock for your vehicle their will not be many shops that do.