etrailer | Stealth Hitches Hidden Trailer Hitch Installation - 2020 BMW X5

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Full transcript: www.etrailer.c...
Ryan: Hey, everybody. My name's Ryan, and here at etrailer, we install, test fit, and review a lot of different parts, that way we can try to answer any questions those of you might have. And that's exactly what we're doing today on our 2020 BMW X5. We're going to be taking a look at and showing you how to install the Stealth trailer hitch receiver with the towing kit.If it we're me and I had a BMW and I wanted to tow a trailer or use some accessories, I would honestly be pretty concerned with how a hitch would look on the back of it, because got a really good looking vehicle. You really don't want a big hitch hanging down below here taking up a bunch of space, and every time you look at it, you just see an eyesore. And that's where the Stealth hitch is going to come into play.
That's because whenever you're not using it, it's going to be completely hidden. You're not even going to know it's there. And so today on ours, we actually have the towing kit. So right now we have our ball mount end. So if you we're towing a trailer, this is the one you would pop in.
And the other attachment is just a two inch by two inch receiver tube. So if you had a bike rack or a cargo carrier or something like that, you could pop this on it.Just to give an example, though, on what your BMW is going to look like whenever you're not using it, you'd simply just pull your attachment out, and as you can see, it's not visible at all. You're not even going to know it's there. And whenever you are ready to use your hitch, it is just as easy. You're going to take your attachment and just slide it into place.
Now, I will say if you don't plan on doing any towing at all, you can get the hitch with just this receiver tube. That way, you can still use your bike racks and your other accessories. I want to mention, though, if you think you're going to do some towing in the future or anything like that, I would highly suggest getting the kit, and that's because this receiver tube here is not rated for towing at all. So, you can't put a regular ball mount in here and tow your trailer down the road. You would have to get the special attachment here and tow that way.So, regardless of what accessory you're using, whether it be the receiver tube or your ball mount, what's cool is it actually locks, so you can lock this into the hitch.
So not only does that provide us with a safety feature, kind of a backup, you know, you've got it locked. It's not going to go anywhere. But it's also going to help prevent theft, so you're not going to have to worry about someone running off with your accessories. Since there are quite a few components here, let's go ahead and just talk them through one by one. We'll first start with our receiver tube opening here. It's going to be two inches by two inches. That's a super common size, and ton of different types of accessories will work with it. It's going to have a reinforced collar for extra strength, and I think it looks pretty good too. It's going to have that standard five eighths pinhole. Now, keep in mind a pin and clip does not come included, but if you need one, you can get it right here at etrailer.This is going to have a 600 pound maximum gross tongue weight rating, and that's going to be the amount of weight that's pushing down on it. It's a pretty high number. You should be able to use pretty much whatever size bike rack or cargo carrier that you'd want to. Now, what's awesome about this is how far it comes out. If this hitch stayed on here permanently, it would probably be pretty annoying, but the fact that this pops down and we can remove it makes this a pretty awesome feature actually. Because that hitch comes out pretty far, it's going to give us a ton of clearance. So, you shouldn't have any problems at all using pretty much any folding accessory. Whenever you put it in that upright position, shouldn't have to worry at all about it touching the back of your X5.So let's go ahead and talk about the tow package, your ball mount here, and this is what you would use whenever you wanted to tow your trailer. This thing is solid steel, so it's very strong. It gave me a little peace of mind knowing I got something so heavy duty back here when I'm pulling my trailer down the road, and it's going to come with a two inch ball. It's a really common size. If you need a different size ball, no big deal really. You can always change it out for different size if that's the case. And as far as the weight capacities go, it's going to have a 600 pound maximum gross tongue weight rating. So again, the amount of weight pushing down, and

[@ventiyoung]

I just installed the stealth hitch on a 2021 X5, because I only had the hitch (use for a bike rack) and not the towing kit, I didn't need to do the wiring. Therefore, I followed the hidden hitch instructions and didn't need to take out the interior, taillights etc. just the bumper and the bottom pieces. It was so much easier than needing to take the interior and the taillights out.

[@KwakNet-oh2cw]

Hi, do you have the video how to install a trailer hitch just for bike racks. I don't need the wirings installed. Thanks.

[@kaloc8729]

Thank you for showing us. Which trailer break do you recommend using with this hitch, since the pin receiver is facing down? Cheers

[@rawskyb]

Terrific video - it is great to see the steps necessary to do this install. One comment: at about the 23:15 mark, you are removing the rear bumper. The video did not show the step for unhooking the four clips that attach the bumper in the middle under the lower hatch gate. I have heard this is one of the more difficult steps in removing the rear bumper, so it would be helpful to show how to get those four clips to release. Thank you for making and posting this tutorial, it is going to help immensely with my Stealth Hitch installation on my new X5. Update to my comment above: After checking out the lower back hatch more closely, I figured out that if you manually position that gate half way open (or half way closed, I suppose), it is very easy to access those four clips. As per the installation instructions from Stealth, you simply press down on the center of those four clips with a 5/16" allen wrench (or something similar) to let them release. Thought this might help if anyone else is attempting this install.

[@etrailer]

Thank you for sharing this! We are happy to hear that you were able to get to the clips. We will be sure to show this step in future installs. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH25VR.html

[@MarkMawhinney]

Is there a problem with the electrical setup? I’ve been led to understand that it can be very tricky to get the electricals setup without mucking up the car’s electronics.

[@etrailer]

If the install instructions are carefully followed, you shouldn't have a problem. European vehicles have pretty sophisticated wiring systems. If the install isn't something you feel comfortable with, we'll link to to our local installer finder. Just input your zip code.... www.etrailer.com/installer/near-me/trailer-hitch

[@ericlevchuk5176]

What’s the weight limit on it ? Can u hook up a trailer with a jet ski ?

[@xinweiyang8413]

So the kick open of tailgate still works after installing the hitch? Is 2021 x5 the same? BMW factory hitch will disable that functionality

[@etrailer]

The handsfree sensor will still work with this hitch installed. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH25VR.html

[@Colotoddo]

Hi Ryan. I am ordering a 2024 x5 50e this week. I need a hitch and do not like the look of the factory installed hitch. I don't need any wiring and just need the hitch for a single bike rack. What is the best solution for this? Thank you very much in advance!

[@constantin6021]

I'm here for the same exact thing, for the same exact car. I have the X5 already and I'm sorry I didn't pay those $650 for the factory installed one.

[@rockm4366]

Why did you cut the trim below the hitch while we can see on other pictures that we only need to cut half of it on the left side and leave as is on the right side? thanks!

[@etrailer]

This kit will require to cut as shown in the video because of the wiring kit being mounted behind the fascia. Other kits will have the wiring mounted below the fascia and you can leave the plastic. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH25VR.html

[@DukeofFrat]

One thing I did not hear in the video is what you think the average install price would be (excluding cost of the hitch)? This looks like a couple hours of work at least.

[@c.w.2580]

Thorough install video. Thanks. Was a bit surprised however, that BMW doesn't have a plug port in the factory harness to plug the 7-pin trailer harness into, and that you had to do all that splicing. Have some concern BMW might try to blame any electrical gremlins that raise their ugly head to the splicing job, saying it invalidates warranties.

[@Baka_Oppai]

maybe but thats not really bmw style in my experience. They usually dont say a whole lot about user mods in my experience.

[@17sylargino]

Can I fit it on my 2019 Audi A7? The years on the website say up to 2018 only.

[@etrailer]

We do not currently have a hitch that is designed to fit the 2019 Audi A7. www.etrailer.com/vehicle/2019/Audi/A7

[@mlurkers]

motion-sensor trunk will still work with this hitch installed?

[@etrailer]

This hitch will not block the handsfree sensor for the trunk. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH25VR.html

[@igappleg3]

Thank you for showing us how to install the tow hitch! With BMW navigation system, do you pre code the X5 with trailer hitch features?

[@etrailer]

You do not need to code the vehicle with hitch features. You will need to put the vehicle in tow mode if that is a feature that your vehicle has. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH25VR.html

[@twr41cox]

So the one rated for towing has no chain attachment points?

[@etrailer]

If you purchase the towing kit, it will come with loops to attach your safety chains to. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH25VR.html

[@donnaashman7620]

Are these kits available for Toyota Venza?

[@etrailer]

We have a few hitches available for the 2021 Toyota Venza. We do not have a Stealth Hitch available for it yet. www.etrailer.com/hitch-2021_Toyota_Venza.htm

[@Iamdprice]

Could I tow a boat with this hitch

[@etrailer]

You sure can, but the 8000 lb towing capacity of the hitch will be limited by the actual capacity of the vehicle which ranges from 6600 to 7200 lbs, depending on how the vehicle is equipped. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH25VR.html

[@silvere36]

What if you need a drop hitch for weight distribution hitch?

[@etrailer]

Unfortunately, because of the way that it is designed, the Stealth hitch cannot be used with weight distribution. We have other hitches available that would work great for you. Check them out in the following link. www.etrailer.com/hitch-2020_BMW_X5.htm

[@jabroni6199]

How similar is the installation for an X7?

[@etrailer]

The Stealth Hitch for the 2020 BMW X7 will install on the end of the frame rails just like the X5. Check out the hitch you will need in the following link. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH32VR.html

[@Baka_Oppai]

wish youd update this video 2024 seems to be totally different

[@hchaud5267]

can u tow jet ski?

[@etrailer]

You sure can! The Stealth Hitch # SH25VR would work great for towing a PWC. Be sure to use the ball mount included with the kit, as the square receiver isn't intended for towing. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH25VR.html

[@venchenzodemarco6620]

Can someone tell me we’re the closest location is from Massachusetts.

[@etrailer]

We can ship a hitch right to your front door. As far as installing, you can check with local shops to see if they would be able to install it. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH25VR.html

[@lopesanderson19]

will this work on 22 x7?

[@etrailer]

This specific hitch will not fit the 2022 BMW x7. Check out the following link to see the Stealth Hitch that is designed to fit your x7. www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Stealth-Hitches/SH32VR.html