GDW Tow Bar Installation Guide for BMW 7 Series (F01 '10-)

General Advice and Recommendations

This section consolidates important advice and recommendations from various languages (Dutch, French, English, German, Spanish, Danish) for the installation of the GDW tow bar.

• Pre-Installation Checks: Inspect the tow bar for any transport damage and verify it is the correct model for the vehicle.
• Installation Procedure: Carefully read and follow all instructions provided in the manual. Present the tow bar on the vehicle before drilling any holes.
• Drilling and Protection: When drilling holes, ensure no electrical wiring, brake lines, or other critical components are damaged. Remove any soundproofing or bitumen layers from the drilling area. Treat all drilled holes and exposed metal parts with an anti-corrosive product.
• Bumper Considerations: For vehicles equipped with non-standard bumpers (e.g., sport packages, tuning kits), consult GDW's technical service before proceeding to ensure compatibility and proper fitment. Check any necessary cutout templates.
• Storage Assembly: The tow bar is often delivered assembled for storage purposes; ensure all parts are disassembled before starting the main installation.
• Towing Capacity: To determine the vehicle's correct towing weight, refer to the Certificate of Conformity (COC) or consult your vehicle dealer. Never exceed the tow bar's specified technical limits.
• Post-Installation Checks & Maintenance: After the initial 1,000 km of use, and at least annually thereafter, the tow bar must be inspected. This includes checking and retightening all bolt connections, repairing any paint damage, replacing any components that have been damaged due to external impact, and greasing the internal parts of detachable tow bar systems.
• Usage Recommendation: If the tow ball obstructs the vehicle's license plate or rear fog light when not in use, it is mandatory to remove the tow ball.

Technical Specifications

Homologation: EC/94/20

Made by: GDW NV

Reference Number: 1828T30

EC Approval Number: 00-0911

Description: BMW 7 TYPE F01 '10-

Torque Values

Formulas

D = (MAX KG × MAX KG) / (MAX KG + MAX KG) × 0.00981 ≤ 12.5 kN

S = 100 KG (MAX = 2200 KG)

Note: These formulas relate to towing capacity and are typically found on the vehicle's homologation documents.

Installation Steps

The following steps detail the installation process. Tools required typically include various wrenches (e.g., 19mm, 13mm, 10mm, 8mm), a screwdriver, and a grinder/sander.

1. Step 1: Diagram shows removal of interior trim panels from the vehicle's trunk and rear bumper area, indicated by arrows.

2. Step 2: Illustrates the vehicle's rear chassis mounting points, showing specific bolts and brackets to be attached. A wrench is shown.

3. Step 3: Shows the removal of the vehicle's taillights, indicated by arrows pointing outwards.

4. Step 4: Depicts the removal of side trim pieces from the rear bumper area, with arrows indicating detachment.

5. Step 5: Illustrates the removal of the main rear bumper cover, shown being pulled upwards and away from the vehicle.

6. Step 6: Shows the detachment of the bumper from its mounting points on the vehicle's sides.

7. Step 7: Further illustrates the detachment of the bumper from its mounting points, particularly on the sides.

8. Step 8: Shows the complete removal of the rear bumper cover.

9. Step 9: Depicts the removal of existing mounting brackets or components from the vehicle's chassis.

10. Step 10: Illustrates the positioning and initial attachment of the main tow bar structure to the vehicle's chassis.

11. Step 11: Shows the securing of the tow bar structure to the chassis using bolts and nuts.

12. Step 12: Depicts the tow bar being attached to the vehicle's frame, aligning with pre-drilled or existing mounting holes.

13. Step 13: Shows the tow bar being secured to the chassis, likely with bolts and washers.

14. Step 14: Illustrates the attachment of a specific bracket to the vehicle's chassis.

15. Step 15: Shows the securing of the bracket attached in the previous step.

16. Step 16: Depicts the re-attachment of the bumper structure or a related component to the vehicle.

17. Step 17: Shows a diagram of a panel (likely part of the bumper or underbody) with a section marked for cutting, using a jigsaw tool (indicated by ❌ and a tool icon).

18. Step 18: Illustrates the re-installation of a panel, possibly the one modified in Step 17, with an arrow indicating placement.

19. Step 19: Shows the main tow bar assembly (receiver and ball mount) being attached to the tow bar structure already mounted on the vehicle. Various bolts and nuts are indicated.

20. Step 20: Depicts the tow bar assembly being connected to the vehicle's chassis mounting points, with specific hardware indicated (e.g., bolts, nuts, washers).

21. Step 21: Similar to Step 20, showing the connection of the tow bar assembly to the chassis, with hardware and alignment indicated.

22. Step 22: Illustrates drilling holes (Ø 8 mm) into specific points on the tow bar structure or vehicle chassis for final mounting. A drill and grinder are shown.

23. Step 23: Shows marking and cutting lines on the bumper cover for clearance, with dimensions (35 mm) indicated. A grinder tool is shown.

24. Step 24: Depicts the tow bar structure being attached to the vehicle's chassis using bolts and nuts.

25. Step 25: An exploded view of the tow ball and coupling mechanism parts, with labels (I, J, K, L, M, N) and quantities.

26. Step 26: An exploded view of the tow bar mounting hardware, with labels (A, B, C, D, E, F) and quantities.

27. Step 27: Shows the re-installation of the rear bumper cover onto the vehicle.

28. Step 28: Depicts the re-installation of the taillights.

29. Step 29: Illustrates the re-installation of the interior trim panels removed in Step 1.

30. Step 30: Shows the final assembly, with the tow ball mechanism attached to the vehicle, ready for use. A label 'A' points to the tow ball assembly.

Technical Diagram: Clearance and Weight

This section provides diagrams illustrating clearance requirements and vehicle weight limits, adhering to guideline 94/20/EG.

• Diagram A-A shows clearance angles and distances (e.g., min. 32mm, max. 45°, min. 140mm).
• The text confirms that clearance must comply with Supplement VII, diagram 30 of guideline 94/20/EG.
• Another diagram shows clearance angles and distances related to the tow ball (e.g., max. 30°, min. 75mm, max. R14.5).
• A section lists "Bij toelaatbaar totaal gewicht van het voertuig" (Permissible total vehicle weight) and its translations in French, English, German, Spanish, and Danish, indicating the importance of adhering to the vehicle's specified total weight.