sfcacique

So,

My last wagon I used the Curt tow bar, but this time I am going to try the European OEM equivalent made by Westfalia. I purchased both the tow bar (mounts behind the bumper with a detachable snake ball as well as OEM wiring from PF Jones. Shipping was expensive, but quick and the packaging was outstanding. Kit looks very high quality, now have to ID time to pull the bumper and put this on. Very good instruction, but not too many words, pictogram mostly. Looks like the wiring will actually take a significant amount of time as there are various connection points,. Supposedly I will be able to have the car coded to automatically disconnect the PDC, might also work with sway control.. Old car was a 2006 BMW 530iXT, "new" one is a 2010 BMW 535iXT

Theeurodog

What was the total damage ? Looking to add one to my wagon.
Thanks.

sfcacique

Almost US 700, would have to check Euro Conversion, but that is about it. PF Jones

sfcacique

5 Series Estate E61 2004-2010

BMW 5 Series Estate E61 2004 on Westfalia Detachable tow bar is the one I got, with BMW specific wiring to a 13 pin Euro ... looks like I should be able to wire to US plug/outlet.

Lotus99

What's the advantage of that one vs. the Curt? Is it a 2" hitch? Didn't see it in the description.

sfcacique

The Curt can only haul 1000 lbs I believe, and it also involves drilling holes in your body (the spare wheel well). The Curt was also a small receiver ( 1 1/4?), rather than the 2".

The Westfalia one mounts directly to the frame underneath the bumper, no chassis cutting required. You do however have to cut *or replace with different one already with cut out) a dust cover. Towing capacity is 2200 KG, or 4840 lbs. Much better. I also like how it attaches from below, like a reese, only totally different...

This is a EU spec horn and ball. It is 1.98", so only 2/100 less than a USA 2" ball, probably w/in manufacturing specs.

That said, I have my bumper and all off standing by secondary to a small snag. The tow bar base mounted directly and easily where it was supposed to, very strong, better than the collapsible mounts it replaces. HOWEVER, the two bolts on each side that attach the bumper frame itself are not the same as the ones taken off. The studs on the collapsible mounts are at 15cm, and the Westfalia frame is 11cm. Sorry for the metric, but I needed metric to talk to PF Jones in the UK, so that is what I measured. I've got an email into them, but no response yet. We'll have to see....

Charlie

sfcacique

Also, Curt "reese hitch" diminished the tail clearance, I had some uneventful scrapes entering/.exiting parking lots.

Lotus99

Where do you see the specs on the towbar? I still can't see them.

For example, for this A4 hitch, how can I find out if it's a 2" receiver or a 1 1/4"?

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/a4-avant-es...e-tow-bar.html

sfcacique

Q. What size ball do the EU hitches have?
A. The only ball size used in Europe is 50mm (crazy Europeans don't see the benefit of having 7 different sizes!) 50mm is between 1 7/8" and 2". Several single axle trailers have a tongue that works with 1 7/8" AND 2" balls, so the 50mm ball works great for these.


50mm = 1.9685"

sfcacique

NOTE: These are NOT/NOT USA "Reese Hitch" receiver type hitches, but rather "swan neck" EU removables.