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      01-24-2021, 05:11 PM   #1
B///MWGuy
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Is X5 really not capable of towing?

I keep hearing arguments saying cars like X5 are not true "SUV". I think their reason is because of the architecture not being as sturdy as real trucks (e.g Range Rover or Escalade). I personally believe they are capable since the spec in the manual tells me so (hopefully its not overstating).

Has anyone who had their X5 for a long time in the past had any problem towing stuff (trailers or even boats) had reliability issues? What would be your argument against those nay sayers?
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      01-24-2021, 06:16 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by B///MWGuy View Post
I keep hearing arguments saying cars like X5 are not true "SUV". I think their reason is because of the architecture not being as sturdy as real trucks (e.g Range Rover or Escalade). I personally believe they are capable since the spec in the manual tells me so (hopefully its not overstating).

Has anyone who had their X5 for a long time in the past had any problem towing stuff (trailers or even boats) had reliability issues? What would be your argument against those nay sayers?
That is the first I have heard that the X5 is not capable of towing and obviously that is not true. That of course has nothing to do with whether the X5 meets the original/traditional definition of an SUV or not. Using that one the X5 is a crossover not an SUV. As an aside, I don't think BMW markets the X5 as an SUV but rather an SAV.
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      01-24-2021, 08:11 PM   #3
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If the X5 couldn't tow anything, why is it available with a factory hitch?

The exact limits of what you can tow will vary based on which version you get. To some, the limit may be the max tongue weight of 551#, but some can handle over 7K pounds. Certainly not as much as some heavy duty pickups, but enough for many people.
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      01-24-2021, 08:14 PM   #4
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Some information on towing:

https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/07/18/c...tow-your-boat/

This is the first SUV/SAV I've purchased without a trailer hitch, but those I've owned in the past - X3, X5, GX460/470 and RX - have certainly been capable of towing, usually on the order of 3,000-7,000 pounds. The G05 is actually rated a little higher, so I have no doubt it's more than capable. If you tow regularly, routine maintenance and inspection is important both for trailer and car, including tires.
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      01-24-2021, 08:35 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B///MWGuy View Post
I keep hearing arguments saying cars like X5 are not true "SUV". I think their reason is because of the architecture not being as sturdy as real trucks (e.g Range Rover or Escalade). I personally believe they are capable since the spec in the manual tells me so (hopefully its not overstating).

Has anyone who had their X5 for a long time in the past had any problem towing stuff (trailers or even boats) had reliability issues? What would be your argument against those nay sayers?
I have an Australian spec 2020 2.5D xDrive with a factory fitted tow bar My towing limit is 2700kgs as I have a small 4 cyl 2 litre diesel motor with only 170kw 450Nm all other X5's with 6 or 8 cyl engines are rated at 3500kgs IF they have the factory fitted tow bar. For some reason local ADR regulations limit third party fitted tow bars to 2700kgs.

Most X5 owners here use them to tow boats, jet ski's small trailers etc. I rarely seen them towing big double axle caravans. These big caravans are usually towed by Landcruisers or Patrols and more recently Dodge RAMs that are imported from the USA converted from LHD to RHD and sold for much the same price as a Toyota Landcruiser 200 series
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      01-24-2021, 10:27 PM   #6
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Given the seat of the pants recommendation of 10% of the trailer weight be on the tongue, and the 551# limit (at least in the USA), that puts a limit on the maximum towed weight...but, in many cases, the user's manual allows a bit more. With the factory interface for the trailer, when you plug in, that activates the factory stability control, so that should help out. So far, I haven't seen an aftermarket harness that provides that capability on the G05. Older versions, yes, there are some alternatives, but not on the G05 that I've seen.

Earlier X5's came with the internal plugs to install the factory harness, but they seem to have stopped that on the 2021 MY.
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      01-25-2021, 02:46 AM   #7
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The factory-fitted 'towing pack' includes things like uprated brakes as well as towing mode for the stability/ suspension systems, which is likely why the factory fitted towing option has a higher trailer weight allowance than after-market towing options, which won't include uprated brakes etc.
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      01-25-2021, 08:24 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B///MWGuy View Post
I keep hearing arguments saying cars like X5 are not true "SUV". I think their reason is because of the architecture not being as sturdy as real trucks (e.g Range Rover or Escalade). I personally believe they are capable since the spec in the manual tells me so (hopefully its not overstating).

Has anyone who had their X5 for a long time in the past had any problem towing stuff (trailers or even boats) had reliability issues? What would be your argument against those nay sayers?
First of all, get off the RR and Escalade forums. It's plain as day to anyone looking at the specs that the X5 is rated for 7,000+lbs. That's as much as or more than some light duty trucks are rated for and there are regulated criteria a vehicle must meet to get its tow rating. I tow 4,000+lbs with mine, zero issues.
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      01-25-2021, 10:10 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Finnborg Braga View Post
The factory-fitted 'towing pack' includes things like uprated brakes as well as towing mode for the stability/ suspension systems, which is likely why the factory fitted towing option has a higher trailer weight allowance than after-market towing options, which won't include uprated brakes etc.

I have never seen any mention of upgraded brakes with the trailer hitch option in the US. Maybe that is country specific
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      01-25-2021, 12:27 PM   #10
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No problem,
8,6m/28,2ft long, 2,5m/8,2ft wide, 2500kg/5500lbs in the hills of Germany.
Certified speed 100km/h / 62mph so 110km/h / 68mph on the speedometer. Up and down the hill, stable configuration. Factory fitted towing hitch.
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      01-25-2021, 05:49 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B///MWGuy View Post
I keep hearing arguments saying cars like X5 are not true "SUV". I think their reason is because of the architecture not being as sturdy as real trucks (e.g Range Rover or Escalade). I personally believe they are capable since the spec in the manual tells me so (hopefully its not overstating).

Has anyone who had their X5 for a long time in the past had any problem towing stuff (trailers or even boats) had reliability issues? What would be your argument against those nay sayers?
X5 is absolutely an SUV. BMW just is using marketing with the whole "sports activity vehicle" nonsense. Its an SUV, end of story. Yes it can tow 7000 lbs just fine, which is more than some "heavy duty SUVS" LOL
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      01-25-2021, 06:21 PM   #12
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Absolutely no problems.
I have seen some huge motor-homes and caravans being towed by E53, E70 and F15s versions, and considering the G05 is larger and heavier - I really doubt there would be any issues.

Here's mine, which is fitted with a BMW OEM after-factory tow hitch (which is removable/stealth when I dont need it), connected to my boat - 5-metres/16.5-feet long and 2-metres/6.5-feet long, weight all up with our travelling stuff we load her up with is around 1700Kgs/3750lbs.

My car is a 30d Diesel, and it tows like a dream - these cars were made to tow. Sits on the highway at 100km/h at 1300rpm (barely humming), only needing to drop a gear to 1800 to get up steep inclines/hills. Seriously I forget the boat is actually behind me.
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      01-25-2021, 06:44 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Finnborg Braga View Post
The factory-fitted 'towing pack' includes things like uprated brakes as well as towing mode for the stability/ suspension systems, which is likely why the factory fitted towing option has a higher trailer weight allowance than after-market towing options, which won't include uprated brakes etc.
I've asked my dealer about that, and they told me there is no difference apart from the rear bumper that has the permanent cut-out - which in my opinion looks ugly - but just my opinion. I prefer the post factory OEM option which can be removed when not towing. Yes I'm limited to 2700kgs, but more than enough for what I need.

The X5's come off the production line with trailer pre-wiring, and you're all good as long as:
1. You get physical installation and the ECU coding done properly by a BMW dealer to enable towing-mode and proper integration with safety systems. This coding also enables specific transmission cooling when in towing mode.
2 . You have the M-Sport brakes - as a major factor in towing capacity are brakes. Standard brakes on the X5 are marginal for towing, but again depends on what you're towing. If you're towing a jet-ski or small 3x4 trailer, standard brakes would probably be OK.

If I was going to tow anything over 3000kgs, I'd probably lean towards a more heavy-duty towing vehicle like a Prado/Landcruiser, RAM or Fx50.
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      01-25-2021, 07:33 PM   #14
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From what I've heard, for MY 2021, BMW no longer includes the towing prep in vehicles so it's not easy to incorporate it later. It's only there (obviously) on those that get the towing package at the factory. Earlier ones did come with the towing prep there that made it easier to install after.

There are aftermarket electrical interfaces that can make the lights work, but none (yet) can enable the stability control, monitor the bulbs' condition, or turn off the rear PDC sensors automatically when you plug in a trailer.
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      01-25-2021, 08:35 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jad03060 View Post
From what I've heard, for MY 2021, BMW no longer includes the towing prep in vehicles so it's not easy to incorporate it later. It's only there (obviously) on those that get the towing package at the factory. Earlier ones did come with the towing prep there that made it easier to install after.

There are aftermarket electrical interfaces that can make the lights work, but none (yet) can enable the stability control, monitor the bulbs' condition, or turn off the rear PDC sensors automatically when you plug in a trailer.
Good to know. Glad I picked up a MY19, which had the towing prep.
I just looked at my car's invoice, and the towing prep is OPTION 8SL - "Preparation for tow bar".

Also, I notice I dont actually have to select "Towing mode" when preparing to tow. When I plug the trailer to the car, it senses the trailer plug and automatically goes into towing mode.
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      01-26-2021, 02:59 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James_G0530d View Post
I've asked my dealer about that, and they told me there is no difference apart from the rear bumper that has the permanent cut-out - which in my opinion looks ugly - but just my opinion. I prefer the post factory OEM option which can be removed when not towing. Yes I'm limited to 2700kgs, but more than enough for what I need.

The X5's come off the production line with trailer pre-wiring, and you're all good as long as:
1. You get physical installation and the ECU coding done properly by a BMW dealer to enable towing-mode and proper integration with safety systems. This coding also enables specific transmission cooling when in towing mode.
2 . You have the M-Sport brakes - as a major factor in towing capacity are brakes. Standard brakes on the X5 are marginal for towing, but again depends on what you're towing. If you're towing a jet-ski or small 3x4 trailer, standard brakes would probably be OK.

If I was going to tow anything over 3000kgs, I'd probably lean towards a more heavy-duty towing vehicle like a Prado/Landcruiser, RAM or Fx50.
For the UK, the (only) factory fitted towing option is the electrically foldaway towbar, which does not need/ have a cut-out in the rear bumper. There is no dealer-fitted towing option.

The towing option on my xLine included uprating the brakes to the M-Sport ones, although the dealer didn't seem aware of this and certainly never told me. I found out about this from another post on this forum, and when I had a good look at the shape of the brake callipers on my car they are the M-Sport ones. There is a third even more powerful brake type; I am not sure if M-Sport models get that with the towing package.
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      01-26-2021, 05:06 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James_G0530d View Post
Good to know. Glad I picked up a MY19, which had the towing prep.
I just looked at my car's invoice, and the towing prep is OPTION 8SL - "Preparation for tow bar".

Also, I notice I dont actually have to select "Towing mode" when preparing to tow. When I plug the trailer to the car, it senses the trailer plug and automatically goes into towing mode.
I have an MY21 on order (oh the wait....) and it has 8SL listed on the build sheet. I didn't specifically request anything for towing.

My understanding (another told by the dealer story) is that if you order the tow bar from the factory it is mounted to the chassis in a different way (I guess because of better access?) compared to after market OEM, hence the 2700/3500kg difference.
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      01-26-2021, 07:03 PM   #18
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Outside of NA, the OEM trailer hitch is a powered, retractable, gooseneck as far as I know. If you retrofit, it's a removeable gooseneck arm that is totally manual.

NOne of that may be useful for MY 2021, if they did the same thing for all models, everywhere...the new one is no longer prepped from the factory for towing, so adding the electrical interface would be quite costly.
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      01-26-2021, 07:47 PM   #19
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No issues pulling the 24 ft Yamaha Jet Boat at about 5000lbs
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      01-26-2021, 09:05 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jad03060 View Post
Outside of NA, the OEM trailer hitch is a powered, retractable, gooseneck as far as I know. If you retrofit, it's a removeable gooseneck arm that is totally manual.

None of that may be useful for MY 2021, if they did the same thing for all models, everywhere...the new one is no longer prepped from the factory for towing, so adding the electrical interface would be quite costly.
No The Australian OEM trailer hitch I have appears to be just like the NA version, the retractable powered gooseneck is not ADR compliant and cannot be used in Australia as far as I am aware.
Please read the articles in the links below for more information

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...w-test-126506/

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...towing-120076/
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      01-27-2021, 10:05 AM   #21
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I’m still laughing about the words ‘sturdy’ and ‘range rover’ being used in the same sentence. Knowing people that work in the factory here in the UK, they all categorically state they would never own a RR. Read into that what you will.
Carry on.
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      01-27-2021, 10:08 AM   #22
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No issues pulling the 24 ft Yamaha Jet Boat at about 5000lbs
Nice rig.
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