Factory towing kit?

[whiskychaser]

In the centre of the skirt below the rear bumper I have a panel thats about 12" wide and 10" deep. It seems stuck fairly tight and I never bothered to remove it. Did the track rods this morning and had a nosey round while it was up on the ramp being tracked. There is a trailer socket and a huge bracket behind that panel. To secure it I can only guess the tank would have to come out. So my questions are:
Is this a factory item (dont know anybody who can look it up from my VIN)?
How does the tow ball attach? Bolt it on to the bracket?
Are there any other signs to show it has a kit fitted?
I would expect some sort of repeater to show the trailer indicators are flashing too but this probably doesnt happen unless the electrics are connected to a trailer.
Any info would be useful. This has got me curious now

[Tiger]

So you want a track car with a tow hitch? LOL

[whiskychaser]

So you want a track car with a tow hitch? LOL
You mean you dont have caravan racing?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIhC6JyfsPU&feature=related

[Tiger]

ROFLOL... Never seen that kind of race...

[genphreak]

Pull the boot carpet to see?

Look for the factory horse-cock, which should be under the boot carpet in a vacuum formed tray.

BTW: If it bolts up it isn't a factory bar. If it has a big socket facing down to the ground behind the bumper panel, that is where th horse-cock goes. :)

[shogun]

this U.K. company sells Brink
http://www.towbarwarehouse.com/bmw_5series_TowBars.html
http://www.towequipe.co.uk/1/1/1039133-tow-bar-brink-detach-fits-bmw-5-series-saloon-e34-88-95.html
Brink Detach Towbar For BMW 5 Series Saloon E34 88>95
We are Brink / Thule Towing chosen internet supplier of New Towbars. SPECIAL REDUCED TO CLEAR OFFER
WHEN ITS GONE ITS GONE !


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brink-Detach-Towbar-BMW-5-Series-Saloon-E34-88-95-/380188830722

hot to install
http://www.ow.no/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=66&Itemid=13

[whiskychaser]

Thanks for info gents! There isnt a tow ball hidden under the carpet. The hole in the skirt looks factory made and the flap that covers it has the correct BMW part no. and the paint matches. Maybe the original owner ordered the special rear skirt and had the kit installed in ZA? Doesnt look like an OE Oris/Westfalia or a Brink. Was hoping there would be a label on the inside of the flap saying who made it and rating but there isnt. It would handy to have a ball for it so this is what it looks like if anybody can help:
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll280/whiskychaser/towbar.jpg

[E34-520iSE]

I haven't seen one of those before. I have the factory Westfalia detachable horsecock and it's nothing like that. Could be worth a walk round a breakers though to see if any other brand of cars has a similar unit fitted.

Regards,

Shaun M

[Elekta]

Take the bumper off and see. The rear bumper is the easiest to remove and replace. Looks like a late model westy hitch.

Here's mine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/elekta/DSCN3545.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/elekta/DSCN3546.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/elekta/DSCN3547.jpg

Get the model number and order a new horsecock for it and you are good to go. Also the 7 pin or 13 pin wiring adaptor will be easy to locate.

Great find whiskey!

[E34-520iSE]

^^^that's exactly the same as mine Elekta!

Regards,

Shaun M