I know this has been covered a little bit here and there in threads, but finding all of the info has been tricky.

From what I gather, the X5 V8 models can handle towing a 3000lb E36 and an open car trailer without much trouble. Opinions? It would be my new daily driver and have tow duty maybe 10-12 times a year for 1hr-6hr road trips.

How much is the tow package from BMW (not including install)? I've heard from $200-400. Does it come with any sort of electronic brake hookup for the trailer? If not, what does everyone use for an aftermarket solution?

How about the self-leveling suspension? Is it necessary? Was this standard on all models or an option? If an option, how hard is it to find?

Any other options I should consider?

Any input is welcome.

Thanks. :redspot

Self leveling is standard on the v8 models. Optional on the 6 cylinders. It's worth it for towing. I've also seen one tow a mustang with a 2100lb car trailor and it did fine.

Is there a button for self-leveling or does it automatically adjust?

We have a 2001 4.4i and I've never seen this button if that is the case :dunno

Is there a button for self-leveling or does it automatically adjust?

We have a 2001 4.4i and I've never seen this button if that is the case :dunno

It's automatic. The button in some cars is for ride height adjustment to mess with for when you park and stuff. I never actually figured it out to be honest. :conf

u have to have 4.6 and up to have that leveling option

I'm glad I saw this thread . I was woundering the same thing myself and was concerned about using a x5 as the daily/snow car as well as the tow rig.

AFAIK the number for X5 (regardless the engine, suspension) is 6000 lbs.

self leveling or not does not matter here. the weight of the tongue should be like 10-15% of the trailer's weight so it won't kill the self leveling system. the trailer is pulled (towed) not "loaded" onto X5's suspension

Has anyone towed a horse trailer with their 4.8i? A trailer and 2 horses comes in at around 4500-5000 lbs, well under the 6000 lb tow ating, but 2000-2500 of that is live weight. To be extra safe, you're supposed to double any live weight, so we're really talking about an effective load of 6500-7000 lbs. I've heard that the 2008 will have a 5 liter engine and an increased towing capacity - any credence to that? (sorry if this has been covered, I've had a hard time finding towing stats for even the current model, let alone taking live weight into account)

I've also been looking at the Benz GL550, which has a more than adequate tow rating (7500 lb), but for the 98% of the time that I'm not towing, I definitely prefer the X5, so if it can do the job, I'm sold.

Great forum, btw.

...a 3000lb E36 and an open car trailer.....tow duty maybe 10-12 times a year for 1hr-6hr road trips.

IMO it sounds like you are in need of a dedicated tow vehicle - that of which the X5 is not. :(

IMO it sounds like you are in need of a dedicated tow vehicle - that of which the X5 is not. :(

I hear ya. I'm trying to avoid daily driving a truck, and I really dont have any more space (yet) to store a DD, tow truck, trailer, and the E36. The X5 is the best solution if I can keep the load light enough.

Has anyone towed a horse trailer with their 4.8i? A trailer and 2 horses comes in at around 4500-5000 lbs, well under the 6000 lb tow ating, but 2000-2500 of that is live weight. To be extra safe, you're supposed to double any live weight, so we're really talking about an effective load of 6500-7000 lbs. I've heard that the 2008 will have a 5 liter engine and an increased towing capacity - any credence to that? (sorry if this has been covered, I've had a hard time finding towing stats for even the current model, let alone taking live weight into account)

I've also been looking at the Benz GL550, which has a more than adequate tow rating (7500 lb), but for the 98% of the time that I'm not towing, I definitely prefer the X5, so if it can do the job, I'm sold.

Great forum, btw.

Honestly, they tow great. But if you are towing 6000 - 7000 lbs perhaps a real tow vehicle would be best like an HD pickup truck. The X5 will do it but that's a LOT of weight.

Yes, it's definitely not that they can't do it, but as in JClark's case (and possibly LHutz34's) it will take it's toll on the car - being 10-12 times per year at 1-6 hrs (roughly up to 350 miles?).

I wonder about my 3.0L X5 towing. I plan to buy a trailer to tow my 2990lb M3 to and from events in town or within a 2-3hr drive. IIRC, the 3.0L has a 5k tow limit?

I wonder about my 3.0L X5 towing. I plan to buy a trailer to tow my 2990lb M3 to and from events in town or within a 2-3hr drive. IIRC, the 3.0L has a 5k tow limit?

It will tow it but it's gonna be SLOW.

It will tow it but it's gonna be SLOW.

I expect it to be slow. The towed racecar shouldn't be though :D

X5 has a 6000lb limit...the same on the 3.0 too.
there's a few good threads on x5world about this...and i'm looking into adding a hitch and getting a trailer soon.

there's people towing over 7000lbs with their x5, boats, airstream, enclosed trailer.

http://www.x5world.com/x5-e53-forum/29493-x5-towing-enclosed-car-trailer.html?highlight=towing

UDM Motorsport, I've seen those threads on X5world. They are pretty brave to be towing that much weight with a truck not really designed for it. I would wonder how well it would stop.

yes very brave...i wouldnt attempt that. i think an open trailer will work fine for me.

yes very brave...i wouldnt attempt that. i think an open trailer will work fine for me.

Yes, open trailer for me too.

X5 has a 6000lb limit...the same on the 3.0 too.
there's a few good threads on x5world about this...and i'm looking into adding a hitch and getting a trailer soon.

there's people towing over 7000lbs with their x5, boats, airstream, enclosed trailer.

http://www.x5world.com/x5-e53-forum/29493-x5-towing-enclosed-car-trailer.html?highlight=towing
Thats one big trailer...

Bump.

Back to exploring this idea. I looked into getting a truck just for towing but I really have no great place to store it now. I'd like to to trim the weight down on the trailer to get it within range. Check my math and please give your opinions on an X5 4.4i towing this between 6-12 times per year.

3000lb car
1000lb aluminum trailer
400lb gear on trailer

= 4400lb load to tow.

This is well within the 6000lb capacity but is it low enough that it can do it on a regular basis without getting beat up?

Opinions welcome, this looks like (again) the best idea.

I just started towing my Spec E36 race car with my 2003 X5 4.6is. The X5 is my wife's daily driver. On track weekends she drives my E46 daily driver.

I have very lightweight open trailer (Trailex with tire rack weighs only 900 pounds). Got the light trailer expressly to work with the X5. Towed it to Road Atlanta and back last month. No problems. You can certianly tell that you have a trailer behind you, but the X5 did not seem to be over-taxed at all. That said, I would not feel comfortable pulling anything heavier than a light trailer and a light car.

I had the hitch put on at the dealership. The BMW hitch cost $550 and the labor was another $550. Two year warranty. The trailer comes with surge brakes which seem to work very well.

I tow a race car with a '03 4.4l. Load is ~4500lbs, or maybe a little less. A buddy tows his race car with a 3.0l. I'm not sure what year. He has an AL trailer so his load is a little less then mine. He says that his smaller engine tows fine.