[juanster]

Thinking of getting a 2020 X5 sDrive40i for towing a travel trailer. The trailer's dry weight is listed as having a dry weight of 5820lb and a tongue weight of 705lb. Anyone have experience/guidance on using an X5 to tow a trailer this size/weight? Thanks!

[timmahh]

The googles yield:
https://www.bmwofnorthhaven.com/2020...wing-capacity/

X5 sDrive40i 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 engine — RWD, 335 hp, 330 lb-ft of torque
7,200 pounds maximum towing capacity
827 pounds payload capacity
4,758 pounds curb weight

X5 xDrive40i 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 engine — AWD, 335 hp, 330 lb-ft of torque
6,602 pounds maximum towing capacity
849 pounds payload capacity
4,813 pounds curb weight

xDrive50i 4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8 engine — AWD, 456 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque
6,603 pounds maximum towing capacity
871 pounds payload capacity
5,170 pounds curb weight

X5 M50i 4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8 engine — AWD, 523 hp, 553 lb-ft of torque
7,200 pounds maximum towing capacity
882 pounds payload capacity
5,260 pounds curb weight

X5 TOW PACKAGE
When you purchase a brand-new X5 xDrive40i or X5 xDrive50i, you can add an optional factory-installed BMW X5 tow hitch for $550. This Class III trailer hitch boosts the X5’s maximum towing capacity to 7,200 pounds, but the foot-activated tailgate will be removed. Learn more about genuine BMW parts and accessories available near Cheshire.

[Multimodal]

That is probably too heavy for the X5 for a few reasons:

• Best practice is to stay under 85% of the rated towing capacity, which means no more than 6120 lbs if you have the X5 factory hitch and 7200 lb tow rating. If your TT has a dry weight of 5820 lbs then you'll definitely be over 7000 lbs with a full load of water, fuel, linens, camping gear, etc.
• Regardless of towing capacity the X5 has a 550 lb tongue weight limit. If your TT has a rated tongue weight of 705 lbs then you're likely to be closer to 800 lbs with a weight distributing hitch and propane tanks on the tongue and whatnot.
• Tongue weight counts against payload capacity and the X5 doesn't have great payload capacity. My X5 50i has a rated payload capacity of 871 lbs on the driver's door jamb sticker but when I weighed it on a scale I calculated 1,220 lbs (payload capacity = GVWR - curb weight). Still, 1220 lbs - 550 lbs tongue weight = 670 lbs for you, passengers, cargo, etc.

You should look for something with a dry weight under 5000 lbs and a tongue weight 450 lbs or less, such an Airstream 23FB.

[Ryan5034]

I’ve towed 5500# a couple times now. I don’t know my tongue weight but I’m pretty sure I’m less then 700. Anyway I think your 700# tongue weight is too much. I think your front end will bob up and and down too much.

[WhereItsAt]

The max allowable tongue weight for any X5, regardless of tow package or drivetrain is 551 pounds. The tow package allows for 7,200 max trailer weight. Without the tow package the the max trailer weight is 6600 (I think). The limiting factor is the tongue weight. No trailer of 7,200 pounds will be safe at highway speeds with a tongue weight of 551 pounds. The trailer will likely begin to "death Wobble" and could jackknife the vehicle. It's maddening that BMW advertises 7,200 pounds as the tow package.

[tellch00]

crazy how manufacturers set some of these weights. not sure if the lawyers are setting them or the engineers.

i had a '12 Touareg TDI that i used to tow my porsche track car in an enclosed Trailex aluminum trailer. The T-reg had a tow capacity of 7,700 lbs and a tongue weight of 770 lbs. In 2013 the 7,700 stayed the same but tongue weight dropped to I think, 660. I bought a 2014 and it was the same. the guys on the T-reg forums researched the hell out of this and there was no change anywhere on the car from one year to another that would warrant the reduction of the tongue weight.

The TDI was an amazing tow vehicle though.

[Multimodal]

I agree that it sucks the X5 has a limited capacity relative to competitors. The Land Rover Defender and Discovery can tow 8201 lbs with 820 lbs of tongue weight. BMW should have aimed for the same, but I understand that most European manufacturers only engineer and rate for a 7700 lb (3500 kg) towing capacity because of some regulatory differences in Europe for vehicles with a higher tow rating.

The American norm is for tongue weight to be 9-15% of trailer weight but the European norm is 3-7%. With that context it's not unreasonable for BMW to rate the X5 with a 7200 lb towing capacity and 551 lb tongue weight. The difference is that Europeans don't drive as fast when towing - many places limit vehicles to 60 MPH while towing. Keep it under 65 MPH and you will be fine.

[James_G0540i]

Originally Posted by tellch00

crazy how manufacturers set some of these weights. not sure if the lawyers are setting them or the engineers.

i had a '12 Touareg TDI that i used to tow my porsche track car in an enclosed Trailex aluminum trailer. The T-reg had a tow capacity of 7,700 lbs and a tongue weight of 770 lbs. In 2013 the 7,700 stayed the same but tongue weight dropped to I think, 660. I bought a 2014 and it was the same. the guys on the T-reg forums researched the hell out of this and there was no change anywhere on the car from one year to another that would warrant the reduction of the tongue weight.

The TDI was an amazing tow vehicle though.

The X5 30d/Diesel is an amazing tow vehicle. When I tow, its like there's nothing behind me, acceleration and stability is effortless.

Something tells me I could tow a lot more weight, definitely over-engineered.

Towing capacity depends on:
1. tow-ball down weight - based on suspension and counts against payload weight.
2. Wheel base - distance btw front & rear wheeels
3. Vehicle weight
4. Engine - Diesels are superior towing vehicles because of their torque.
5. Brakes - vehicle needs to stop not only your car but your trailer plus not allow any rolling on a 8-12% incline.

The X5 is limited by #1 and #5, and in particular #1.
If you have the M-brakes, #5 goes away, but #1 is quite complex.

I've seen X5's towing some massive caravans, which easily would have been more than 2 tonnes and probably closer to 3 tonnes, however they were E70s and looked like they had upgraded springs and shocks. Off course they were Diesels

Not sure if you could upgrade springs or shocks on the G05, especially those with M-adaptive or air suspension.

[Daytona_550]

Upping this old thread (not trying to hijack it!)... I have a similar situation and looking for feedback from you out there towing heavy with your X5.

Shopping for a tow vehicle to tow my M2C for track days. U-Haul trailer weighs 2200lbs + 3660lbs for my car. Not worried about payload capacity as it will be just me and ~200lbs of tools, etc.

Considering a G05 X5 S40 with M package and 22" wheels:

1. Anyone have an idea of what my tongue weight might be? 10% seems to be at X5's max recommended, and unfortunately, a U-Haul trailer has the car sitting nose heavy (see pic), and does not allow me to position the car further back.
2. Will the X5's front be lifted up excessively?
3. I know air suspension (when/if available) would be great, but is it a must have, or would it even help in my situation?
4. Anything else I should consider?

Thanks all for your opinions!

[Thecastle]

1)There is no way to guestmate what your trailers tongue weight will actually be. Depends on a lot of factors and in particular how the mass is distributed on the trailer. The only way to know is to measure it, and sureline makes a scale to do just that. Its like asking me to guess what the trailer weighs, you have to take it it to a cat scale to know for sure.

You should aim for between 10-15% of your trailers weight to be on the hitch. To little hitch weight and you will have sway as speed increases, which can be quite dangerous.

2) no way to know, depends on hitch weight, distance hitch ball is from the receiver how much other stuff is in the trunk. But it will squat without a self leveling suspension.

3) for towing it is not a must have, but it makes a huge difference. It allows your to tow level. Besides loading the trailer correctly and having the right amount of weight on the hitch, towing level is the 2nd most important thing in towing safely. Its a big problem in pickups with their soft suspensions squatting several inches and losing weight on the steering axel making the thing handle even more poorly and having the headlights aimed for the sky.

4) yes a lot, trailer brakes, weight distribution, fuel economy and etc. Also the amount of payload in the car and not exceeding the payload capacity. Which is very easy to do in an X5. If you weight 200lbs, have 200lbs (probably an under estimate) of stuff in the car, and 600lbs of hitch weight (tongue weight + hitch ball/shank weight), you have about maxed the X5s payload capacity. Your car is holding 1000lbs of stuff. You wouldn't be able to bring a passenger.

Typically an X5 depending on year has 1000-1300lbs of real payload capacity (GVWR-real measured curb weight). An F150 Ram 1500 etc. in limited form have about 1300-1400lbs of payload. As most people buy them an F250/2500 will have about 1800lbs of payload capacity. So "upgrading" to a truck doesn't really increase your towing capacity a lot. A single cab, work truck with a gas engine can do better, but man do they suck to drive and while towing. Most "3/4" ton trucks have a GVWR of 10,000lbs. The more you pork it up with options (diesel, crew cab, etc.), the higher the curb weight. The more curb weight the lower the amount of payload left over.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by timmahh

The googles yield:
https://www.bmwofnorthhaven.com/2020...wing-capacity/

X5 sDrive40i 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 engine — RWD, 335 hp, 330 lb-ft of torque
7,200 pounds maximum towing capacity
827 pounds payload capacity
4,758 pounds curb weight

X5 xDrive40i 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 engine — AWD, 335 hp, 330 lb-ft of torque
6,602 pounds maximum towing capacity
849 pounds payload capacity
4,813 pounds curb weight

xDrive50i 4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8 engine — AWD, 456 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque
6,603 pounds maximum towing capacity
871 pounds payload capacity
5,170 pounds curb weight

X5 M50i 4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8 engine — AWD, 523 hp, 553 lb-ft of torque
7,200 pounds maximum towing capacity
882 pounds payload capacity
5,260 pounds curb weight

X5 TOW PACKAGE
When you purchase a brand-new X5 xDrive40i or X5 xDrive50i, you can add an optional factory-installed BMW X5 tow hitch for $550. This Class III trailer hitch boosts the X5’s maximum towing capacity to 7,200 pounds, but the foot-activated tailgate will be removed. Learn more about genuine BMW parts and accessories available near Cheshire.

I don't think these payloads are accurate. The GVWR of the G05 is 6691lbs for all models. If the curb weight was 5260lbs like in the 50i, then its real payload would be 1431lbs which is the same as a luxed out F150 or limited ram 1500. Sdrive would be 1933lbs.

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

I don't think these payloads are accurate. The GVWR of the G05 is 6691lbs for all models. If the curb weight was 5260lbs like in the 50i, then its real payload would be 1431lbs which is the same as a luxed out F150 or limited ram 1500. Sdrive would be 1933lbs.

1246lbs. for the 40i 3 row with air suspension.

[Multimodal]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

I don't think these payloads are accurate. The GVWR of the G05 is 6691lbs for all models. If the curb weight was 5260lbs like in the 50i, then its real payload would be 1431lbs which is the same as a luxed out F150 or limited ram 1500. Sdrive would be 1933lbs.

Manufacturers publish the minimum possible payload assuming the highest amount of optional equipment.

American automakers will put a customized payload capacity sticker on the door jamb for each vehicle based on the equipment specified for that VIN. BMW doesn't do this - they put the "book values" on the door jamb, so the rated payload capacity is quite low.

When I researched this in 2020, I found most X5s have a payload capacity on their yellow sticker of 849-871 lbs, depending on trim level, which represents the minimum payload possible for a given trim level with an additional safety factor. My 2019 X5 50i M Sport has 871 lbs on the sticker but I found it is actually 1,220 lbs after visiting a truck scale.

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

Manufacturers publish the minimum possible payload assuming the highest amount of optional equipment.

American automakers will put a customized payload capacity sticker on the door jamb for each vehicle based on the equipment specified for that VIN. BMW doesn't do this - they put the "book values" on the door jamb, so the rated payload capacity is quite low.

When I researched this in 2020, I found most X5s have a payload capacity on their yellow sticker of 849-871 lbs, depending on trim level, which represents the minimum payload possible for a given trim level with an additional safety factor. My 2019 X5 50i M Sport has 871 lbs on the sticker but I found it is actually 1,220 lbs after visiting a truck scale.

I posted the 3rd row with air is 1246 in the owners manual with the tow package. I am looking to tow 5000lbs. Grand Design has a 21bhe that is 4698 dry and 456 tongue weight before 2 20lb propane tanks and a 65b battery. I find it odd that the payload is higher but the 551 tongue weight is the same? The rear axel weight is also higher. Thoughts?

[jad03060]

The unibody construction is probably the limiting factor on tongue weight and is probably identical on all of the X5's.

[Thecastle]

Unibody is not a limiting factor on towing, there are plenty of unibody vehicles that have higher towing specs than the g05. The tongue weight on Range Rover is 771lbs, and my gls 550 is 750lbs.

Heck there is a lot of variation on ancient body on frame vehicles. The F150 maxes at 500lbs tongue weight without weight distribution.

So it’s more about what the manufacturer wants to have their towing capacity to be, and the design trade offs. Payload is typically the limiting factor of most tow vehicles. Having a high payload is a trade off in ride quietly meaning a very stiff, heavy suspension that rides poorly when empty (unless you use liquid or air suspensions). Which would be unacceptable to most G05 owners who don’t tow. So the compromise is softer, lighter steel suspensions, axels and tires which make it ride well unladen but compromise it’s max capacity. Steel suspensions are much cheaper than air or liquid, which can both ride well with little payload or ride well with a heavy payload.

I have towed with my x5m extensively and my ram 3500. I can say without a doubt few g05 owners would accept the ride quality of my ram 3500 for a daily driver, or it’s hard to park nature, slowness and other compromises like you can’t park it in a garage or parking garage. It’s a lousy daily driver, but it sure can tow a heavy trailer in a stress free maner.

In the end get the right tool for the job. Match the trailer to the tow vehicle. The x5 is an excellent tow vehicle in its limits.

[jad03060]

BMW says that the X5 is not suitable for a weight distribution hitch. Some models are, not the current X5 so if you choose to go that route, do it at your own risk. The twist a WDH puts on the frame/chassis is not within the design parameters.

The G05 with the factory two package does include trailer stability logic that will use the brakes to help stabilize the trailer if it detects it swaying, probably lots faster and more reliably than you as an operator can.

[GPG]

I have reached out to ASPC Automotive, who provides the factory Class III to BMW, to query if the 551lb tongue weight max is a structural limitation to their hitch receiver or a number BMW decided on.

Typically, most hitch receivers have a max tongue weight of 10% of their max towing limit. So, in the X5 case it would theoretically be 720lb max tongue weight with the states 7200lbs max towing.

I have a 2020 X5 x40i and have noticed that the GVWR of the X5 x40i has not changed from Model Year 2020, 2021 or 2022 @ 6162lbs but the Max load has progressively increased each year.

2020=849lbs
2021=974lbs
2022=1016lbs

Not sure how it can gain almost 300lbs in max load capacity unless that is taking into consideration some of the options that were not available in 2022 vs 2020

has anyone weighed their X5 on a CAT scale to see what the actual curb weight is for their options to determine the true max load?

[streborx]

Towing a load that out-weighs your vehicle is a game changer. If I intended to haul a 6,000 lb. RV around, I'd be doing it with a big-ass duelly F-250 at a minimum.

[Multimodal]

Originally Posted by GPG

has anyone weighed their X5 on a CAT scale to see what the actual curb weight is for their options to determine the true max load?

Yes - I weighed my highly-optioned 2019 X5 50i before purchasing it. I calculated 1,220 lbs of payload capacity by subtracting the curb weight of 5,240 lbs from the GVWR of 6,460 lbs. This is much higher than the payload capacity on my sticker of 871 lbs.

My conclusion was that BMW does not create unique payload capacity stickers for each VIN like American manufacturers do. They probably put the same sticker on every vehicle for a given trim level, based on the minimum payload for a fully-loaded vehicle.

[Jrg3170]

I'm curious what experiences people have had towing within / close to spec but without a WDS?

Say an Airstream Bambi 19CB or similar? (<550 hitch weight and ~5,000lbs GVWR).

[nordring]

Originally Posted by Jrg3170

I'm curious what experiences people have had towing within / close to spec but without a WDS?

Say an Airstream Bambi 19CB or similar? (<550 hitch weight and ~5,000lbs GVWR).

I have towed 15 years, and thousands of miles, with BMW X5's at or close to the rated tow limit.

- Within their stated capacities, the X5's (and most German SUV's) are underrated towing beasts, i.e. much more capable the people who haven't done much towing with them might otherwise think.

- This does not mean you should exceed the manufactures weight limits. Nor your own towing experience, terrain, traffic or weather conditions.

- Situational awareness is key.

- Its not just the weight, but the size and shape of your trailer that matters. i.e my sleek 5000# boat tows much "easier" than my boxy 5000# race trailer.

- Aerodynamics play a huge factor in towing at highway speed.

- Semi's passing my race trailer will "push it around" much more than my aerodynamic boat of the same weight.

- A 28' 5000# aluminum enclosed trailer will have a lot more aerodynamic drag than a 20' 5000# enclosed steel trailer. You will notice the aerodynamic drag in both fuel mileage and the amount of force the trailer exerts the vehicle in cross and head winds.

- Rear air springs (or full air-suspension) are extremely beneficial when towing at or near the weight limit. Aftermarket air bags can be added to non-air suspension equipped X5's, and I would highly recommend them if you do a lot of towing near the weight limit.