[aussieintexas]

My kart trailer on the older 40e - don’t have any photos of same on the G05 45e or M60

[jad03060]

An X7 has a higher tongue weight and max towing capacity, and per BMW, they do not support a WDH on the factory installed hitch. Don’t see why the X5 would be different.

had a hard time tracking down towing information and the use of a weight distribution hitch so I reached out to BMW.

"The BMW X7 is able to tow 5,952 lbs and 7,500 lbs with the factory-installed trailer hitch. The maximum drawbar nose weight is 606 lbs. BMW factory installed trailer hitches are not approved for a weight distributing hitch solution.

I hope this information is helpful. Thanks again for your inquiry.

For your convenience, BMW Genius Team members can be reached via the BMW Genius Hotline Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-844-4GENIUS (443-6487).

Bernadette
BMW Genius Representative"

[Harv]

Got my Equalizer hitch more dialed in today. M50i pulls like a champ.

[bono]

Nothing new. BMW does not test OE hitches with weight distribution hitches. There are thousands of users who did it already.

Originally Posted by jad03060

An X7 has a higher tongue weight and max towing capacity, and per BMW, they do not support a WDH on the factory installed hitch. Don’t see why the X5 would be different.

had a hard time tracking down towing information and the use of a weight distribution hitch so I reached out to BMW.

"The BMW X7 is able to tow 5,952 lbs and 7,500 lbs with the factory-installed trailer hitch. The maximum drawbar nose weight is 606 lbs. BMW factory installed trailer hitches are not approved for a weight distributing hitch solution.

I hope this information is helpful. Thanks again for your inquiry.

For your convenience, BMW Genius Team members can be reached via the BMW Genius Hotline Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-844-4GENIUS (443-6487).

Bernadette
BMW Genius Representative"

[Di3s3l_Power]

Originally Posted by Harv

Got my Equalizer hitch more dialed in today. M50i pulls like a champ.

What size is the Airstream? 22’ or 25’’ ?

I have a 22’’ Bambi single axle and I’m thinking in the future to go to 25’ but I’m afraid is too much of tongue weight

Thanks

[jad03060]

A WDH does not change the maximum tongue weight. It shifts weight on the axles from the rear to the front. Take into account a typical WDH can be upwards of 100# versus maybe 20 or less for a plain ball, and that can affect the overall limits on what trailer you can tow with your BMW. A WDH transfers weight to the front axle by twisting the chassis via the lever action and bars on the hitch, but you still have the downwards weight of the WDH itself plus the tongue weight on the chassis. SO, say your WDH is 100#, you’ve got 451# left for trailer tongue weight. My forged aluminum shank with steel ball is like 18#.

You’ve got weight going in the up-down, front-rear (when pulling/stopping), and torsion/twist from the WDH trying to twist the chassis forward where the fulcrum is the hitch body attached to the chassis.

[bono]

Using WDH may change the maximum tongue weight. Some manufacturers are giving hitch tongue weight for a distributed and non-distributed weight. A WDH does not change the tongue weight, what is sometimes misunderstood.

My WDH weights 180 lbs but adds over a foot of length. It's real affect on the receiver is in 30-50 lbs range.

There is absolutely no comparison between towing a larger trailer with WDH vs. non-WDH. For advice on towing a 25' AS, I would go to Andy Thomson at Can-Am https://www.canamrv.ca/towing-expertise/, not this forum.

[Harv]

My Airstream is a 23FBQ.
Pics of the brake controller and cable.

[Harv]

Originally Posted by Di3s3l_Power

What size is the Airstream? 22’ or 25’’ ?

Mine is a 23FBQ

John

[LDT]

Towed a 28 ft. with my Sierra 1500 during the pandemic. Don't think I'd try this one with my M60i. Great experiences but have moved on. Wife bit her tongue and was a good sport but she ain't no camper! I echo the need for WDH!

[Bristle Hound]

Collecting the new van the other day
At 2067kg MTPLM its nearly 300kg heavier than our old van however the X5 tows it with ease
The 2 axle self leveling air suspension is a game changer IMHO

[Bill9999]

What's the deal with the necessity of adding a brake controller to an X5 50E (or the 45E)? My dealer said that if you get the OEM trailer hitch that the seven point electrical connector has a built-in brake controller.
If I have to add a brake controller, where has BMW put the connection wires? A convenient place under the dash?

[Harv]

Originally Posted by Bill9999

My dealer said that if you get the OEM trailer hitch that the seven point electrical connector has a built-in brake controller.

The lack of knowledge dealers regularly display is astounding.

The 7 pin hook up gives you the ability to control trailer brakes, however no controller is installed. You have to install a controller of your choice. Now, there is a sway control module installed with the factory towing harness. It lets the stability control know there is a trailer hooked up and helps it react appropriately, it does NOT activate trailer brakes.

John

[jad03060]

Unless the trailer is quite light (under about 1500#, check your manual or the tag on the receiver), you will be required to install an electronic brake controller with one other exception…if the trailer has built-in surge brakes, you do not need an electronic brake controller. Surge brakes rely on a mechanical linkage that compresses to apply the brakes when the tow vehicle slows down…the weight and inertia of the trailer applies the brakes in the trailer as it then pushes against the vehicle’s ball. Electronic brake controllers rely on the tow vehicle’s application of brakes to engage the trailer’s brakes.

The connection (a 4-pin connector:, power, ground, brake in, brake out) is under the dash by the driver’s left knee in a LHD vehicle…no idea where it is in a RHD vehicle, but many of those use surge brakes.

All the built-in wiring gives you from the factory is the ability to activate the lights, and a branch to attach a brake controller. I wish BMW offered an OEM optional brake controller, but there are a lot of aftermarket units that work.

If you want to avoid wiring one in, there are a few wireless units, and one by AutoBrake goes in the trailer itself, but won’t do you any good if you want to tow something else.

[beattiecj]

Hey all finally towed to the track with my new to me 50i also served as the camper too, it was pretty solid, if you are under 6ft tall.

Running an R&R 18ft aluminum trailer with the car, tires and other crap it come out to around 5k lbs, also using a curt eco Bluetooth brake controller.

Only real regret is not getting air suspension as the rear sags a bit much for my for my liking (empty and loaded trailer drop is around 3 to 4 inches haven’t officially measured). Think stiffer springs would help, don’t know the tongue weight as of yet.

Averaged 11mpg going slightly above 70mph speed limit. For reference my 2017 F15 got around 14mpg with a slightly lighter trailer same setup otherwise. Will update more typically will tow around 3,000 miles a year for various racing weekends along the east coast.

Will do a few refinements on setup and I’ll update.

[BlkGS]

Helper bags. You want helper bags.

[beattiecj]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Helper bags. You want helper bags.

I don’t think it’s possible with the stock suspension setup in the x5. Will look into it, the problem I see is one there are no offerings for this current gen X5 and two the rear suspension has the spring over the shock vs previous bmw setups where they were separate prevent you adding a helper bag.

[bono]

Maybe consider Coil SumoSprings Helper. Something like this? Weight distribution hitch would help as well and actually would be my reference. Regardless how much you would mask the rear sag with air suspension or any other solution, the front axle is lighter and this affects handling / braking, in particular in emergency maneuvers.

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...xoCLYEQAvD_BwE

[Dochere2]

I use the Sumo Springs coil helpers on our x3, pulling a 4k travel trailer. Used along with a weight distribution hitch. While it isn't as bad as what you have pictured there, it definitely sagged more than I liked without the combo. With them installed it pulls great.

Also consider weighing and adjusting your trailer, specifically the cars position. You look like you have considerably more TW than you need. Adjusting the car rearward may help, as long as doing so keeps you in the 10% range.

The picture is with front and rear Sumo coil helpers and an equalizer wdh installed. Sits in the front basically the same as it does unloaded, I drop about < an inch in the rear.

[beattiecj]

Originally Posted by Dochere2

I use the Sumo Springs coil helpers on our x3, pulling a 4k travel trailer. Used along with a weight distribution hitch. While it isn't as bad as what you have pictured there, it definitely sagged more than I liked without the combo. With them installed it pulls great.

Also consider weighing and adjusting your trailer, specifically the cars position. You look like you have considerably more TW than you need. Adjusting the car rearward may help, as long as doing so keeps you in the 10% range.

The picture is with front and rear Sumo coil helpers and an equalizer wdh installed. Sits in the front basically the same as it does unloaded, I drop about < an inch in the rear.

Originally Posted by bono

Maybe consider Coil SumoSprings Helper. Something like this? Weight distribution hitch would help as well and actually would be my reference. Regardless how much you would mask the rear sag with air suspension or any other solution, the front axle is lighter and this affects handling / braking, in particular in emergency maneuvers.

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...xoCLYEQAvD_BwE

Very much appreciated with good info.

1. Agree think the car can be positioned better to alleviate tongue weight, will do that asap.
2. Helper springs sound like a simple solution, unfortunately it seems no one makes them for this generation x5 am going to call the vendor to see if there is a possibility to get some made.
3. WDH have read these are not recommended for bmw but will explore this regardless think it could make big improvement

[bono]

There are no dedicated helper springs and they never were available for X5 as nobody tows with BMW haha. Just take measurements of the springs and call the manufacturer - they will tell you which model will work the best.

Originally Posted by beattiecj

Very much appreciated with good info.

1. Agree think the car can be positioned better to alleviate tongue weight, will do that asap.
2. Helper springs sound like a simple solution, unfortunately it seems no one makes them for this generation x5 am going to call the vendor to see if there is a possibility to get some made.
3. WDH have read these are not recommended for bmw but will explore this regardless think it could make big improvement

[jad03060]

You might try backing the vehicle up onto the trailer versus driving it on head first. That would put the engine more over the trailer’s wheels. You really need to check your tongue weight…you’re probably over the max listed for the hitch.

Weigh Safe hitches have a built-in scale, which is kind of neat and saves a trip to a weigh station, and lets you see instant feedback on any changes you make.