BMW retrofit tow hitch & Alko Hitch

jet744
jet744 Forum Participant Posts: 14
edited December 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

Has anyone fitted a BMW retrofit detachable tow hitch to a BMW 335d x drive F31? I'm told by the BMW dealer that when fitted the distance from centre of hitch to rear bumper will be 65mm whereas the Alko needs a minimum of 68mm? Despite that I see Towcar tests of similar vehicle clearly using the BMW tow hitch and an Alko stabilising hitch without any problems.

If any one has any experience I'd be glad to hear. It's driving me to distraction! I want to fit the BMW version as the car is only 3 months old and under warranty I also want all the vehicle capabilities retained such as the Trailer Stability Protection.

 

Thanks

Comments

  • stephen p
    stephen p Forum Participant Posts: 194
    100 Comments
    edited December 2019 #2

    I am going to do that all too common and very annoying thing of replying and not being able to answer your question.

    But

    I thought it worth a mention that some BMWs have a significantly downgraded towing capacity if you are not using a factory fitted tow ball with upgraded cooling etc..

  • jet744
    jet744 Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited December 2019 #3

    Interesting thought. Only issue raised in owners’ manual is that of fuel heating with less than 1/4 tank! Sadly several BMW dealers are little or no use in providing any helpful information..... disappointing.

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2019 #4

    You are making a mountain out of a tiny molehill, the tolerances are not that critical that 3mm will mean you cannot hitch your caravan. I am not surprised the dealers are not helpful because they are only interested in selling you a car and unless you get a caravanning salesman they don't care, also applies to 99.9% of manufacturers/dealers and sales staff. Just think through the implications if it were so close. Your bigger concern is ensuring the order form very clearly states unequivocally the wiring is for a UK caravan and to include for fridge, aux, and battery charging. Very few EU manufacturers include for this so be forewarned. 

  • jet744
    jet744 Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited December 2019 #5

    Thank you. We're new to all this so I'm sure I am making a mountain of it.

    All slightly complicated by signing us both up for the Club Caravanning course to be told that for vehicle to be acceptable on course the minimum spacing between car body and centre of ball is 70mm! I'm sure it can't be that problematic as the BMWs used in Club Towcar awards must be BMW supplied, presumably with BMW factory fit tow hitch which seems to work OK.

    Not keen on spending the hideous cost of BMW retrofit to discover subsequently that it won't work with the Alko hitch on our soon to arrive caravan!

    Your thoughts on electrics very helpful. think a detachable after market hitch from someone who does this stuff every day might be the route.

     

     

     

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2019 #6

    Unless I am mistaken, the factory-fitted towbar for the 335i was always an electrically retractable one. Detachable or fixed ones would be engineered by the towbar manufacturers and only approved by the BMW sales and service organisation for sale through their dealer network so there may be a small difference in dimensions. I've got the factory-fitted electrically retractable version on my car and I could check the clearance on that tomorrow if interested.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2019 #7

    I have just checked the electrically retractable factory fitted towbar on my BMW and it has 70mm clearance.

  • jet744
    jet744 Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited December 2019 #8

    Thank you, that's really helpful. It is possible (at a very large price) to have one retrofitted.

    When talking to the dealer he BMW retrofit detachable shows a clearance of 65mm which is a puzzle.Presumably you have no issues with an Alko hitch?

    I will speak to the dealer again tomorrow!

     

    Thanks for taking the time to check it for me, that's much appreciated.

     

  • jet744
    jet744 Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited January 2020 #9

    One other thought. Do you tow a caravan with your factory fit towbar? If so I presume you have no problems with it.

    If anyone else has a BMW retrofit detachable tow bar on their 3 series touring and would be prepared to measure the lateral distance from tow ball centre to bodywork it would be much appreciated.

    Thanks All.

     

     

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited January 2020 #10

    Yes, I do tow a caravan, but it has a Winterhoff hitch, not an AlKo one. I understand that the Winterhoff design does not require the same clearance as AlKo,

  • MiDor
    MiDor Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited January 2020 #11

    Hi Jet744

    When I had a caravan I had a BMW coupe 320D 2010 model, the towbar was fitted by a company in Shrewsbury that the local BMW dealership used to fit their aftermarket towbars. They fitted a Westfalia swan neck detachable that was suitable with the Alko hitch, it was close to the bumper but no problem to attach.

  • jet744
    jet744 Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited January 2020 #12

    Hi! Midor & Lutz. Thank you both. After several conversations with BMW head office and several dealers, all are puzzled and  embarrassed to say they don't have access to any information other than that it meets EU minimum requirements, which seems bizarre. I guess the hitches are made by another manufacturer (Westfalia or Oris) and branded BMW. Even more odd is that having telephoned Tow Trust they were able to tell me straight away that theirs would be between 85-90mm from the bodywork. I'm still trying to find a 3 series with one fitted so that I can measure it! Our caravan has an Alko hitch so need a minimum of 67mm which is 2mm more than EU minimum requirements. Onward and upwards!

     

  • padmiester
    padmiester Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited February 2020 #13

    I have a BMW F31 with a Westfalia detachable bar and an Alko hitch. I’m not sure on a measurement but I have had no issues. I believe that all so called genuine ‘BMW’ towbars are Westfalia anyways, aside from the electric ones. 

    Paul

  • MiDor
    MiDor Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited February 2020 #14

    Hi jet744 I can measure the distance for you, as I still have the towbar. Can you tell me were you want the measurement from? ie. from centre of the ball or from the edge of the ball to the bumper.

  • ChrisHar
    ChrisHar Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited December 2020 #15

    Hello - I am faced with the similar issue, just about to take delivery of 3 series touring - spoke to Witter this morning and they said best to fit a Witter instead of Westfilia (both same company now) as it would have a little more clearance, any further thoughts or advise please

  • ChrisHar
    ChrisHar Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited December 2020 #16

    Hello - did you manage to get this resolved, starting to face a similar problem, any advice welcome Thanks

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