BMW 71 60 0 009 711 User manual

DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, ON TIME, EVERY TIME 
Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
2008 BMW of North America, LLC
Installation Instructions Page 1 of 13
May 2009
Equipment Parts, Trailer Hitch Ver 2.0 Accessory
Development
These Installation Instructions supersede all previous versions.
SUBJECT
TRAILER HITCH KIT (US Only) - P/N 71 60 0 009 711
MODEL
X5 (E53): Select Vehicle Production 10/99 – 8/06
SUGGESTED INSTALLATION TIME: 2.5 HOURS**
Total installation time may vary depending on vehicle options and equipment.
The instructions below are developed for BMW vehicles and are not to be compared to any other existing
instructions for vehicles other than BMW. No methods other than those specified in this document are to be used
for installation in BMW vehicles. Left and right are determined from the driver’s seat.
Carefully read all instructions and supplements before proceeding with the installation. Reference should be
made to TIS for instructions dealing with a stock part of the vehicle but not stated in detail in these instructions.
The instructions were complete and up to date at time of publication; however, changes to the vehicle or
installation may have occurred. Please report any problems or changes noted with the installation to BMW
Technical Hotline, along with VIN, date of manufacture and as much detail as possible.
Note: BMW NA does not supply or have an approved electrical brake controller for this Trailer
Hitch (Tow Bar) Kit.

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Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
PARTS INFORMATION
Contents of Kit - P/N 71 60 0 009 711
Ref. Description Qty BMW Part Number
A Basic tow bar 1 N/A
B Left support 1 N/A
C Right support 1 N/A
D Bumper carrier 1 N/A
E Bumper bracket 2 N/A
F Hexagon bolt M10x30 -10.9 6 N/A
G Hexagon bolt M10x85 -10.9 2 N/A
H Hexagon bolt M10x40 -10.9 4 N/A
I Hexagon bolt M10x120 -10.9 4 N/A
J Washer 10.5x25x3 8 N/A
K Nut M10 with rolled-on washer 8 N/A
L Adhesive label (ball position) 1 N/A
M Electrical socket bracket 1 N/A
N Wiring harness with electrical socket, 7-pin 1 N/A
O Trailer Module AHM II 1 N/A
P Hexagon bolt M6x16 2 N/A
Q Half-round bolt M5x15 4 N/A
R Washer 6.6x14x1.5 2 N/A
S Adhesive label (warning) 1 N/A
T Cable ties, long 1 N/A
U Cable ties, short 3 N/A
V 7-way to 4-way adapter 1 N/A

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Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
Vehicle Preparation
1. Disconnect battery.
2. Fold up floor cover.
3. Remove spare wheel.
4. Remove luggage compartment trim on right
and left side. Reference TIS 51 47 172.
5. Remove luggage compartment trim on rear
panel. Reference TIS 51 47 101.
6. Remove rear bumper. Reference TIS 51 12
000.
7. Remove carefully LH and RH mufflers,
reference TIS 18 00 018 and heat shields to
gain access to mounting holes in vehicle
body.
8. Remove metallic impact absorbers (The
metallic impact absorbers are no longer
required with the tow bar mounted).
.

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Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
Wiring
1. Remove the spare wheel bracket/air
suspension pump (1) by removing the four
bolts (2).
2. Remove the plastic electrical box cover plate
(1) by removing the three Phillips head
screws (2).
3. Remove plastic carrier plate (1) by removing
the three Phillips head screws (2 & 3).
4. Clip the trailer module (1) onto the carrier
plate (2).
5. Locate the 15-pin black connector (X609),
and attach to the trailer module (1).

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Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
6. Remove plug from hole (1) in rear of body.
7. Secure trailer connector (1) to trailer wiring
harness (2). Engage locking tab (3) into
connector housing.
8. Route the wiring harness (1) through the hole
in the body (2). Install rubber grommet (3)
into body.
9. Inside the tire well, route the harness (1)
along the vehicle wiring harness. Connect
trailer wiring harness connector (2) to 12-pin
connector X393S.
10. Secure harness to existing harness with
cable ties (3).

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Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
Crossmember Installation
1. Mount the left and right support (1) through
the opening in the body for the metallic
impact absorber (a). Repeat this step for
both left, and right sides.
Note: The support brackets are position
specific. The locating pin on each
bracket must be in the lower inward
position.
2. Install the supports (1) with the bolts
M10x85 (2) and 10.5x25x3 washers (3),
and the bolts M10x30 (4) and 10.5x25x3
washers (3) hand tight.
3. Install M10x30 bolts (2) and 10.5x25x3
washers (2) to the welded nuts on the
vehicle beneath the bracket (2) on the left
and right hand sides of the luggage
compartment, hand tight.
4. Position basic portion of the crossmember
(1) onto the supports installed in step 1.

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Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
5. Install two M10x40 bolts (1) into the basic
part of the tow bar (2). Repeat this step for
left and right sides.
6. Install two M10x120 bolts (2) into the left
and right bumper bracket (1). Position
each bumper bracket on the tow bar with
the protruding end of the center tube facing
down. Repeat this step for the left and right
sides.
7. Tighten all bolts for hitch crossmember, and
support brackets inside, as well as beneath
the vehicle body in steps 2, 3, 5, & 6 to
55Nm.
8. Secure crossmember bolts by bending the
cages over the bolt heads with a punch,
and hammer (1).
9. Secure bumper bracket bolts to the
crossmember by bending the cages over
the bolt heads with a punch, and hammer
(1).

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Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
10. Secure the trailer harness connector
bracket (1) with the M6x16 bolts, and
washers (2).
11. Secure 7-pin trailer connector (1) to bracket
with four Phillips head screws (2)

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Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
Bumper Preparation
1. Remove the bumper carrier from the bumper.
(Old bumper carrier is no longer required with
the trailer hitch mounted).
2. Secure the supplied bumper carrier to the
bumper cover.
3. Reinstall bumper cover/carrier assembly on
vehicle. Secure with original Torx screws (1)
are now screwed through the tow bar bumper
brackets. (Tightening torque: 55Nm).
4. Reinstall heat shields and rear mufflers.
5. Apply the adhesive label (ball position) over
the receiver tube on the painted surface of
the bumper (clean application area
beforehand).
Important: The ball mount used should
not exceed the dimensions as shown.

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Installation Instruction P/N 01 29 2 154 664
6. Apply the adhesive label (white “capacities”
label) over the receiver tube on the painted
surface of the bumper (clean application area
beforehand).
7. Apply the adhesive label (white “no electric
brake” label) on the painted surface of the
bumper as shown. (clean application area
beforehand)
Installation Complete