New X1, want trailer hitch

[Xess]

I see trailer hitches are available in Europe. Has anyone had one installed in the US and if so, where did you get it?
I want to be able to tow a motorcycle trailer.
If you want to be able to tow with your X1 please let BMW NA know they need to release a towing package. Hopefully they will hear and respond.
Attached is a photo of my new ride.

[mabrahams]

I've posted this question before; there seems to be an OEM mount via BMW EU; however nothing for US. I also e-mailed Curt hitches (since I had one on my 128i) and they are waiting to get their hands on one to produce.

[HotRodW]

Nice looking car. Congratulations!

I can't understand why we can't get all the BMW accessories here in the US. It's not like the car was just released worldwide. The accessories are out there, we just can't get them here.

[Transfer]

I need to get a hitch for my mountain bike rack although I may end up just putting them on the roof.

[Au111]

Originally Posted by Transfer

I need to get a hitch for my mountain bike rack although I may end up just putting them on the roof.

There may also be an opportunity to mount a rear bike rack directly to the two tow hook receptacles in the rear bumper. The UK/EU have a version available from BMW.

I'm going to look into this option some more over the weekend.

From the UK BMW Accessories site:
"Rear-mounted rack*
Suitable for carrying two bicycles. Even when loaded, the carrier can be lowered out of the way when you want to open the tailgate. It can be attached quickly and easily to the screw points of the tow eyelets, and as such, is suitable for vehicles without the trailer tow hitch."


Could be a very easy fab-job (if you didn't want the flip-down function)...?

Here's a better look at the bumper-mounted-rack:
http://www.collinacre.plus.com/BMW_X1_Bike_Rack.html

[Red Bread]

I use a roof rack on my daily (Mazda 3) and test fit the Yakima Rail Grabber on the X1 and it fits perfectly. If you're reasonably tall, it's not a hard lift to the roof, nothing like an X3 or X5.

Of course you greatly increase the risk of self inflicted bike damage with a roof rack, but you do diminish the odds of someone else hitting them as opposed to the hitch rack. You also run a higher risk of mud, hydraulic fluid and rocks ending up on your roof.

[Dilbert2402]

Had this bar:-
http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/prod...gDate=16/03/12
fitted by an independent specialist as BMW wanted over $1200 to fit one with 13 pin electrics. They are readily available on ebay by sellers who will dispatch to the US. When the tow hitch is remove there is almost no indication it is there as the power socket swivels out of the way behind the bumper.

[mabrahams]

Originally Posted by Dilbert2402

Had this bar:-
http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/prod...gDate=16/03/12
fitted by an independent specialist as BMW wanted over $1200 to fit one with 13 pin electrics. They are readily available on ebay by sellers who will dispatch to the US. When the tow hitch is remove there is almost no indication it is there as the power socket swivels out of the way behind the bumper.

Nothing is showing up for that.

The BMW OEM is HUGE and expensive; I'd rather get a hitch mount and use my bike rack I've already purchased.

[Dilbert2402]

Try this:-
http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbars/findTowbar1.php

[mabrahams]

Originally Posted by Dilbert2402

Try this:-
http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbars/findTowbar1.php

Thanks. That's a lot of money for those. The curt ones range from $150 to $200. That's close to $778! (for the cheapest one). Does the UK tax hitches too (Caravan tax)