Retrofitting trailor coupling, the easy way

After retrofitting your vehicle with a trailor coupling, you will soon ask yourself how you survived without this practical extra before. Your vehicle, no matter which body form it has will have a new level of variability: all kinds of own or loaned trailors can be moved just as easily as practical bike carriers for coupling assembly. The installation of the trailor coupling is not difficult and can be done at home with a little practical skill. This is how to retrofit a trailor coupling:



1 After a few days the coupling is delivered by DHL. 2 The new trailor coupling with cables, socket, small parts and assembly instructions. 3 The silver plastic rear cover needs to be removed and is later replaced by a new cover with a cut for the trailor coupling

First, I look at the delivered parts: The trailor coupling consists of the mechanical components and a vehicle specific electrical kit that is responsible for the control of the trailor lighting. Before starting the assembly of the trailor coupling now, I first sort the necessary tools. I might have loan certain tools.



4 Be careful in the wheel cases when taking off the rear skirt, otherwise the plastic plugs will tear off 5 When all screws are gone, the plug on the bottom rear light must be loosened. 6 Now the back bumper can be removed.

The following procedure ahs proven itself: various wrenches and a ratchet; for safety reasons a torque wrench should be used for the main connection to ensure the right tightening torque. Further, a drill with metal drill and wire brush set (alternatively a stable scraper) is needed, along with a spray can with under body protection. A hydraulic car jack easily replaces a missing lifting platform. I use several smaller screwdrivers for the electrics, a soldering iron and isolating tape. Before starting, I first disconnect the negative pole of the battery, - otherwise I risk a short circuit. If you have no experience with vehicle electrics yet, ask someone you know or have a workshop do it.



7 The trailor coupling replaces the original crossbeam of the BMW. 8 The trailor coupling is screwed onto the four existing stable bolts on the right and left. 9 The cables are connected to the on-board electrics in the trunk.

The mechanical work can be done also by inexperienced. Even professionals should follow the instruction manual exactly, because depending on the vehicle model, the retrofitting work is different in important details. If you pay attention to all this, you can be finished with the installation of the spherical head in about an hour. And now you need to go to TÜV or Dekra? Not necessarily. High quality brand name products as they are offered by Rameder usually possess a so-called EG-type authorization EC94/20. It is a kind of European authorization for usage for trailor couplings and saves you an authoritative entry, but must be kept in the vehicle permanently.



10 Now the included socket is screwed on. 11 The sticker shows the handling of the removable trailor coupling. 12 With the retrofitted trailor coupling the BMW X6 may pull up to 3.5 tons.

If you want to be absolutely sure with your trailor coupling you have the option of doing a voluntary ´registration. It has the advantage that no special papers need to be carried around. Plus, a technology expert ensures correct assembly upon approval. This way I as a homeworker know that I did everything right during assembly. A small Tipp for the operation of trailors: Please pay attention to the admissible speed limit of 80 km/h (100 km/h with special authorization) for security reasons. The maximum trailing and bearing loads should also be adhered to. If you want to determine the two latter facts for yourself you can do it by using scales.



13 A flap covers the intake for the removable spherical head. 14 The flap is removed and the spherical head is inserted into the intake of the trailor coupling from the bottom. 15 Rameder also offers many roof boxes and bike carriers next to rigid and removable trailor couplings.

Contrary to the frequent and fault susceptible practice, measurement is not done at the stabilizer, but at the coupling jaw. The trailor is supported with a stable square piece of wood or a pipe that is directly placed on the scales. If the value is too high, it is often sufficient to reposition the load in the trailor, according to the laws of leverage. If oyu follow these tips you will not have trouble with retrofitting or operating the trailor coupling. Did we rouse your interest? As you can see trailor coupling retrofitting is no longer a problem today, even for laymen.

Your Team Rameder.