From digest.v6.n691 Sat May 24 06:21:21 1997
From: ingraham_at_sunspot.ssl.berkeley.edu (Curtis A. Ingraham)
Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 12:58:40 -0700
Subject: <E36> Trailer hitch wanted

Dave Rowney <daver_at_uclink.berkeley.edu> wrote:

> I'm interested in getting a light trailer hitch for my '97 328i; the kind
> used to tow those very light utility trailers that autocrossers use to haul
> race tires and tools (500 lb and 100 lb tongue weight max). Preferably it
> would take a removable ball mount so it would not protrude beyond the
> bumper when not in use. Does anyone make such a hitch specific for the E36
> cars?

Da'Lan makes a receiver style hitch for the '92-'97 E36. The details are:

Part Number 247258
List Price USD 199.46
Tongue Weight 200 pounds (hitch, not car) Trailer Weight 2000 pounds (hitch, not car) Receiver Size 1.25 inch
Installation Time 40 minutes
Shipping Weight 16 pounds

You will need to buy a ball mount separately (about USD 20-30). You can buy from a local hitch installer such as U-Haul. A good installer in the East Bay is:

Barstad & Donicht
795 Aladdin Avenue
Sna Leandro, California
510 357-0777
M-F 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You can also buy direct from the manufacturer:

Da'Lan Hitch
68 Walker Road
Shirley, Massachusetts 01464
800 325-2613
508 425-9585
508 425-9464 fax

Curt Ingraham
ingraham_at_ssl.berkeley.edu
Oakland, California