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      11-29-2014, 07:56 PM   #1
liam821
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towing a huge trailer

Hey All -

I just wanted to share my experience with towing a large trailer across the US with our X5.

We purchased a 20' x 8.5' Atlas car-hauler (24' overall length, 3200 pounds unloaded) to mainly tow my race car and tools around. While a flatbed is much lighter I wanted an enclosed trailer so I can store my race car in there when i'm not using it to get it out of our garage.

My wife's dad died and we had to go out to Colorado to clean out his house. We took the trailer as he had a vintage BMW motorcycle and an old RWD Toyota Corolla SR5 plus a whole bunch of tools.

After we were all loaded we had a 2200 pound car, 500 pound motorcycle, 3200 pound trailer, and another 1500 pounds in tools and misc stuff. I'm guessing our trailer had a combined weight of 7500 pounds fully loaded.

Our X5 is a 2011 diesel with 3rd row and self-leveling-suspension in the rear. 20" sport package with staggered Continentals extremecontact DWS's. We have a OEM bmw hitch and brake controller which we had the dealer install when we purchased it. We also have the dealer installed towing software.

We did 55-65mph the whole way from Colorado back to San Diego. Fully loaded with a roof rack, my wife and myself, our 3 girls and of course the trailer we did a combined average of 13.8mpg on the trip back. The worst was from Denver to Vail @ 12mpg (all up hill) and the best was 15 mpg from Las Vegas to San Diego (mostly downhill).

The X5 can tow! I was able to do 50mph going up the steep grade to the Eisenhower tunnel @ 12,800 feet in the middle of a snow storm. The self-leveling-suspension is amazing, it keeps the car level and stable even when towing big loads. The X5 doesn't bounce or wonder around, just tows straight.

Also if anybody is looking for a great trailer, I do highly recommend the Atlas. It's a really great trailer.

Here are a few pictures

When we purchased the trailer


My daughter with fully loaded trailer (car, motorcycle, and tools.) SLS doing its thing. Taken just before we leave for home.


Back at home, loading my race car
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      11-29-2014, 08:17 PM   #2
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That has to be the most impressive testimony on the X5 towing capabilities ... EVER!

Do me a favor, post this on the e70 X5 Bimmerfest forum as well - http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=159
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      11-30-2014, 09:24 AM   #3
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I agree with PAX5, that's impressive! What is the X5 diesel normally rated for?
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      11-30-2014, 08:27 PM   #4
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Yes, I have a similar setup to yours, (35D, adaptive drive with self levelling). I concur that the X5 can tow very well.
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      12-05-2014, 04:13 AM   #5
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I agree, The X5 diesel with self leveling rear suspension was born to tow. I recently moved to TX from MN, and towed a 16 foot trailer plus 3 feet for the V nose. I did weigh the trailer at a truck stop scale and it topped out at 7420 pounds. The weight was of the trailer only on the scale. In addition, I folded the rear seats down and filled the back with tons of stuff. From floor to ceiling.

I used the Invisihitch and averaged 15 to 18 mpg. Very happy with the abilities of my X.




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      12-05-2014, 08:11 AM   #6
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What was the tongue weight in your setup?
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      12-05-2014, 04:53 PM   #7
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The e70x5d with OE hitch assembly is rated for 6,000 lbs tow and 600 lbs tongue weight

Audi and Porsche diesel SUVs claim 7,700 lbs tow with almost identical 6 turbo diesel engine and basically the same chassis design. So why does BMW underrate at almost 2,000 lbs?

Having said that, did you use a weight distribution hitch for that setup?
I can't tell in your pics.

I tow a flatbed trailer with race car @ 5,000 lbs. for both and get 16-18 mpg
Going uphill I can pass cars if i need to.
It's an amazing kit really. But I am not keen on getting an enclosed due to the extra weight, extra aero drag and I dont have the self leveling, so I would need a weight distribution kit for sure for a 6,500+ tow.
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      12-05-2014, 10:31 PM   #8
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I'm not sure what my tongue weight was, I didn't have a scale to measure. I've been meaning to buy a tongue scale so I can make sure I load the race car correctly but I haven't done it yet.
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      12-06-2014, 03:23 PM   #9
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You mention that it's an X5d, but not if it's a 30d, 35d, or 40d. Or are those designations not all used in North America? Mine was first sold in Germany and is a 40d with the 7700lb tow pack and electric tow ball options:

233 INCREASED TOWING CAPACITY
3AC TRAILER TOW HITCH

This let me sell my old LR Disco II, which was really no fun to drive anymore after experiencing an X5.
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      12-12-2014, 12:46 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RenoHuskerDu View Post
You mention that it's an X5d, but not if it's a 30d, 35d, or 40d. Or are those designations not all used in North America? Mine was first sold in Germany and is a 40d with the 7700lb tow pack and electric tow ball options:

233 INCREASED TOWING CAPACITY
3AC TRAILER TOW HITCH

This let me sell my old LR Disco II, which was really no fun to drive anymore after experiencing an X5.
Yes. Unfortunately, we in the US only get 1 X5 Diesel the 35d .... even tho all of them are MADE HERE !!!

So you say BMW has a 233 option code for INCREASED TOW CAPACITY to 7700 lbs on 40d?
Thats awesome. I will do some research and find out what that option gets you.
Do you know what the increased tongue weight spec is?

Also, OP ....are you using a weight distribution setup?
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      12-15-2014, 03:40 AM   #11
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The invisihitch is rated for 7500 pounds.
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