[ShawnBoston]

Hi all,

I have searched the forums and been monitoring the recent stealth hitch posts but I still do not have a clear answer to the question of whether or not the X5 M can tow.

My car is finally scheduled to ship from the dealer on Tuesday and I'd like to try to get a solid answer on this before it does.

In addition to searching the forums, I have also browsed the BMW USA website extensively (including browsing the digital owners manual) and contacted no less than 3 dealers about installing a hitch.

All 3 dealers told me that they would not install one for me (even for a brand new build from the factory) and 1 dealer said that towing with the X5 M is impossible.

Furthermore, I have tried to find the tow rating for the X5 M on the BMW USA site and I can't find it. Third party sites suggest that the tow capacity for the vehicle is only ~1,000 lbs.

One of the ways I have justified getting my first full size SUV (which I am primarily getting instead of another M5 because I now have two good size dogs) is so I can tow when/if the need arises. I would like to get a fishing kayak and possibly a small bass boat. I also would like the option to pull a small uhaul trailer on occasion.

That seems to be possible for every X5 and X7 except for the full M version.

Do any of you know for sure if the X5 M can tow?

[Tenac]

There are a lot of factors that go into towing, they must all be considered. From my thoughts here:

You have a 600hp sport machine designed to drive fast and hard. Not for towing hence the lack of towing information or ability from factory. Think of it this way, you take something that can tow 5000lbs (standard X5 ish) then you add a few hundred HP and design the tune to go fast go hard. You add that trailer and hit the throttle at 55 to pass and SNAP goes the drive axel due to power and LBs.... Now if you want a bike rack different story... You can get one added for sure.

FYI if factory does not list the tow limits of your vehicle no one of us can. You need to be a certified third party engineering firm to get actual DOT approvals. Don't get stopped in CA pulling a trailer and a DOT officer asks to see your tow rating. You just end up getting towed.. lol

[denaliman]

not true. you can get a hitch on European spec M and their requirements are stricter.

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by denaliman

not true. you can get a hitch on European spec M and their requirements are stricter.

EU tow rating is 1653lbs. That does not mean the US models have the same. In the US at this point in time they are not certified for towing. You can have hitches put on and utilize the rating on the hitch in the US (some states not all). The risk falls to the OP, knowing EU says 1653 does this fit your current needs?

[Tenac]

OP if you want to go down this rabbit hole start here: https://stealthhitches.com/products/...port-2019-2021

They will not state the tow rating of the M series, I've called they do the run around and tell you to confirm with your owners manual.

[ShawnBoston]

Thank you all for your thoughts and comments.

Tenac - kudos to you for your witty initial post. I actually chuckled at your line about getting towed at the end. Clever.

I had not considered browsing a European BMW site for info. I found this on the the UK site.

Towing weight (unbraked) 750kg
Towing weight (braked) 3000kg




What's more, they have the option of an awesome electronic tow hitch that would be an AWESOME solution if it were available in America.

It is available for GBP 995 in the options list.

I am guessing that would have to be added at the factory and that I won't be able to add it after the fact (if I could even source the components in the US).

I think this answers that, at least for the UK cars, the vehicle can certainly tow.

The question, as was raised earlier, is whether or not it is certified to do so and what it will take to actually add a hitch.

Thanks again for your responses, I appreciate your help.

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by ShawnBoston

Thank you all for your thoughts and comments.



I am guessing that would have to be added at the factory and that I won't be able to add it after the fact (if I could even source the components in the US).

I think this answers that, at least for the UK cars, the vehicle can certainly tow.

The question, as was raised earlier, is whether or not it is certified to do so and what it will take to actually add a hitch.

Thanks again for your responses, I appreciate your help.

Here is the US version you can order right now hideaway as well.
https://stealthhitches.com/products/...port-2019-2021

Only issue is what can you actually tow, and will BMW back it if installed.

[ajob]

Originally Posted by Tenac

Here is the US version you can order right now hideaway as well.
https://stealthhitches.com/products/...port-2019-2021

Only issue is what can you actually tow, and will BMW back it if installed.

With my F85 (2015) I towed a 3000 lbs 33 ft long trailer (sailplane inside) for some 12.000 mi all over Europe with the factory tow hitch, 65 mph in Germany, 55 elsewhere.

It just works perfectly, the stability software senses the presence of the trailer and goes into a different, anti-jacknifing mode.

My most confortable and stable tow vehicle ever, car doesn't seem to suffer at all, fuel consumption lower due to moderate speeds.

The F95 has identical tow characteristics.

[Elmer66]

Originally Posted by Tenac

EU tow rating is 1653lbs. That does not mean the US models have the same. In the US at this point in time they are not certified for towing. You can have hitches put on and utilize the rating on the hitch in the US (some states not all). The risk falls to the OP, knowing EU says 1653 does this fit your current needs?

EU models have different towing rates based on the type of the trailer.

The X5M is rated for 1653 lbs if the trailer doesn't have brakes, and rated for 6600 lbs if the trailer does have brakes.

[Günther]

Awaiting delivery of my X5 M in January and I want to tow my Sunfish trailer.