BMW X5 Towing

[Dennis Mosley]

Has anyone towed their Cobra (or anything else for that matter) with a BMW X5? If so which model X5 the 3.0 or 4.4?

Would like to get your impressions.

[agro1]

There was a good discussion about tow vehicles not to long ago...

Should Eleanor be in the Registry?

Last 3 or 4 pages though...

I have driven the 4.6is and loved it. It is a great CAR, but by no means is cut out for towing duty IMO. I don't think the rear end would hold up under such high stresses. For a passanger car that you can really load up with gear it is very nice, but it ain't no REAL SUV...

[TerrysSPF]

Dennis: What does BMW say about the towing capabilities? I have a 540I sport, and I would say that the 4.4 engine is more than enough; heck, even the 3.0 is probably fine! But check with BMW on how the truck is set up. I have yet to see an X5 with a hitch! It is a hell of a truck though. Good luck!

[REAL 1]

I'd stick with something a little heavier like at a minimum a Tahoe.

I tow with a Suburban 2500. Nothing better IMHO. (Well maybe a big king cab Power Stroke 350 dualie but the wife won't drive that.

[snake oil]

Evan I agree,

The trail blazer and explorer and the X5, dont seem heavy enough. although sales people say there good to 5,000 lbs.
There is no problem moving forward, it's stopping that can be a big problem!!
I tow with my Escalade, very similar to a tahoe and some times
I wish it was bigger still. (The truck that is )

[Dennis Mosley]

I think BMW rates the 3.0 at 4000 lbs and the 4.4 at 6000 lbs if my memory is correct.

I just wanted to see if anyone had done it.

I don't tow my car but like to have the option should I need it. Like maybe making the trip from Houston to Ohio for DV's event.

Thanks for the suggestions on other trucks but they are not an option. If it's main job was as a towing vehicle then I would most likely look at something like a tahoe or full size pick up but that's not what I want to drive every day and to be realistic, I have used my tow hitch twice in 3 years so towing won't be this guys main function.

[Clois Harlan]

Dennis,

One can't have too many cool vehicles. Buy the beemer and put a hitch on it, just so people will ask questions.

Clois

[snakeeyes]

I don't know about towing, but I do know my wife pines for her X5 on a weekly basis. With two kids, a double stroller, groceries, etc. it was too cramped on the inside.

Dennis, we all know you drive your car everywhere anyhow...

[mrmustang]

Dennis,

The first thing you need to do is look at the trailer your planning to tow, then add in the weight of the Cobra, assorted part, etc......After that, you can then see whether or not your going to be pushing the gross towing weight of your vehicle.....From what I can tell from the X5, the wheelbase seems a little short for comfortable towing of anything the size of a Cobra (with an open car trailer weighing in at 1,700lbs)........Just my two cents worth on this particular subject...........Your safety should be your major concern...........


Bill S.

Originally posted by Dennis Mosley


Has anyone towed their Cobra (or anything else for that matter) with a BMW X5? If so which model X5 the 3.0 or 4.4?

Would like to get your impressions.

[Dennis Mosley]

trailer weight + car ect..will be well withing the limits of either model, so that part won't be a problem.

I am just looking for someone with actual towing experience with this vehicle. Did they like it, hate it, feel safe, feel unsafe, ect

[Blake Olson]

Dennis,

Buy an H2. very "macho"

blake

[Dennis Mosley]

I can't afford gas for an H2 and a Cobra

[wilf leek]

Golly - things sure are different in the USA!

An X5 too "cramped"?? Jaysus - those things are leviathans compared to most of the vehicles on our roads.

Anyways, to try to help - I used to have a Jeep Grand Cherokee - 4 litre model. Little by your standards. Towed the cobra on its trailer just fine. Stopped OK too. So towing at the upper limits of the manufacturers recommendations can be OK.

Mind you - when I used the Landrover Defender it didn't even know the trailer was attached!

[Tony Ripepi]

Hello Dennis,

I also own an X-5 4.4 have 63,000 Miles on it...Great car. I was looking to buy an open trailer and held off waiting to get an enclosed one. I did the research and the BMW hitch installation is very clean comes with the electric relays installed for the trailer brakes, light hook up etc. The weight limit is 6,000 lbs and there should be no issue with pulling the trailer.

When I am ready my next car will probably be another X-5 the 4.6 looks great but, either the3.0 six cylinder with the 4:11 rear end or the V-8 models will fit the bill as a tow vehicle.

To be clear I have not done any actual towing with the X-5; I did the research and did not come up with any reason why it would not work as well as any other alternative.

Tony R.

[TERRY M KRYSTOFIAK]

TONY,
ACOUPLE OF YEARS BACK WHEN MB CAME OUT WITH THE M CLASS I WAS AT PHONIEX RACEWAY . A GUY PULLED IN WITH AN ERA ON AN OPEN TRAILER. THATS A SMALL 6 CYLINDER. WE (MY WIFE) HAD JUST GOT AN M CLASS AND I WAS SURPRISED IT PULLED THE SET UP AND TALKED TO THE OWNER. HE LIVED LOCALLY AND SAID IT WAS NO PROBLEM. IF YOU PULL UP LONG HILLS IT MAY CAUSE SOME TRANNY PROBLEMS...BUT HECK,THATS WHAT A WARRANTY IS FOR. I DO HAVE A FRIEND IN THE BAY AREA WHO IS SELLING HIS ENCLOSED TRAILER. NICE SET UP FOR OPEN TRACK, BUT MAYBE A BIT MUCH FOR THE BMW.

[Gregg(What's his name)?]

Dennis,

Since when do you tow your vehicle. I've seen you drive in rain and crappy weather. Heck your only going to Ohio. It's like going to Wisconsin. Wait that is a line from Stripes. Never mind

Gregg H