Tow vehicle help

mrtopknight

mrtopknight

New Member
Oct 3, 2006
361
Lake Mary, FL.
Boat Info
2001 182 Sport
Engines
4.3L MerCruiser w/ alpha one
I'm in the market for a new tow/everyday vehicle and I am leaning towards the BMW X5. How do you think it would tow my boat? The X5's towing capacity is 6,000 lbs and my boats dry weight is 2,650 lbs. I think I'm fine but just wanted to check.

Also, If I decided to move up to a 22'-24' SR in the future how would the X5 hold up?


Thanks
 
The X5 will be fine for your boat. If you move up to a 24 footer you will be overloaded. With the short wheel base I would be concerned about towing a 24 footer. BMW's are made in SC and a lot of people drive them. I have never seen one towing anything substantial. Most of the people who drive them use them for soccer mom duty and not heavy hauling. Good luck.
 
If you are sure you will move up in a few years I would not recommend any medium size SUV. Go to the towing file at trailer boats dot com and pull out several mid size vehicles and you will see their towing capacity is much smaller than the full size trucks and Suvs. If you use a 3'rds rule of thumb you will be able to pull pretty much any thing safely. 9K capacity - 6k towing load. Trailer, Boat, accessories on board. Gives you 3k safety net.

:thumbsup:
 
Have to agree the X5 will be fine for your current boat, but would not want to haul a 240 with it :smt018 May end up with the boat pushing it all over the place :smt100
 
There is an interesting article in the April issue of Go Boating magazine. The author (Keith Burton) claims that most automakers use a "weight-distributing hitch" to establish towing capacity. "Because boat trailers almost never use these types of hitches, the maximum 'boat' towing capacity will be less." For example, the Ford F150 pickup I own has an advertised max tow capacity of 9200 pounds. Burton claims the maximum boat trailer capacity for the F150 is actually closer to 5000 pounds.
 
Mike,
I had 175BR for a while and used to pull it with Pathfinder, Grand Cherokee and ML320. For Pathfinder it was a bit hard, but for other two a comfortable ride with plenty room for safety. So, I agree with others that X5 will be fine for the job.

However, as soon as you mention 24 footer a lot is changing. When I moved up to my 240DA I had very big dilemma. I have no need and didn't see myself in a pickup truck, so I was looking for a full size SUV that will be a family car and my towing vehicle. There are very few choices in this category (at least for me). I picked Cadi Esc. AWD. My Cadi pulls 8200lb. So, my simple math was 6500lb for boat + 1700lb for trailer. This left me with very limited room for loading any extras. But, the truth is a man always does. We load everything we need. I’ve put lots of miles on this package (car & boat). For example, the first year we towed our boat from NJ to Florida (East and West Coast). Last year we took it to Canada 1000 Islands. I have to tell you that I’m pretty happy with the package. As people say stopping is the biggest issue, not pulling. And I agree. There was an occasion when my trailer breaks didn’t work and my Cadi did a great job stopping and get me where I need to go. But, regardless I would suggest to get bigger vehicle to fit better in the safety standards, if you can.
Lastly, if you not sure what boat you’re getting next and not sure how long you’ll keep the current boat get the X5 if you like it and enjoy the ride. After all, you drive the car every day and tow the boat only on occasion. When the time comes to move up, you’ll have make new choices and determine what you need and how would you be using it.

Alex.
 
thunderbird1 said:
There is an interesting article in the April issue of Go Boating magazine. The author (Keith Burton) claims that most automakers use a "weight-distributing hitch" to establish towing capacity. "Because boat trailers almost never use these types of hitches, the maximum 'boat' towing capacity will be less." For example, the Ford F150 pickup I own has an advertised max tow capacity of 9200 pounds. Burton claims the maximum boat trailer capacity for the F150 is actually closer to 5000 pounds.
Click to expand...

I guess he doesn't believe in tongue weight as being an important factor. :grin: Does he also have an explanation for how they come up with both weight carrying and weight distributing?

I love the writers in some of these advertising rags. :lol:
 
Thanks Guys!! :thumbsup: I pick it up tomorrow afternoon. My only dilemma is that it does not come with a factory hitch and you must install the BMW ($935 installed) hitch to achieve the 6,000lb towing capacity. Due to the unique frame configuration an after market hitch would have to bolt on to weaker parts of the frame.

Plus the factory installed hitch looks way cleaner. They have to get you somehow :huh:
 
Congratulations on the new ride-that's a nice car!

I just bought a 240 Sundeck and a lot of people told me my 2006 Expedition with 5.4 engine and factory tow package could not tow that. I was so freaked out when it was time to pick up the new boat last month that I almost bought a diesel 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I worried the entire trip. In short, the expedition handled the load very well (40 and 50 mph wind gust on the highway) and I wasted a lot of time worrying.

With that being said, I don't think I would try and tow the 24' boat with a BMW, but you're gonna look good!

Good luck!
 
chasz said:
... I worried the entire trip. In short, the expedition handled the load very well (40 and 50 mph wind gust on the highway) and I wasted a lot of time worrying...
Click to expand...

It is not the pulling part that people worry about, the problem comes when it is time to stop. The other problem is you may find your insurance policy is no good if you are pulling a trailer not correct for your vehicle. Maybe I am off here but those are the two major concerns I would have with having an incorrect set-up. :smt018
 
The 07 Expedition would be fine for anything under a 210 Select based off Ford's Chart. Anything larger would require a 3/4 ton vehicle or the purchase of their heavy duty towing package. :thumbsup:
 
Trick question?? Nope but then on the other hand would we be launching in fresh or saltwater :grin: ? Just kidding.

Properly equipped = optional tow package.
 
I'm a bit of a renegade with respect to tow capacity. I tow a 250 DA with a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4X4 Quad Cab V8. This is what some have refered to here as a "toy truck".

Other than a bad tire here and there, I've had no problems. Of course, I don't tow with great frequency, and have only one trip of any length each year. Where I tow is relatively flat.

My insurance company has given me a letter verifying that I'm covered.

The short version of the insurance company reasoning goes like this:
1. Tow capacities don't factor in brakes on the trailer;
2. Tow capacities also expect towing on steep grades;
3. And towing on a frequent basis.

The tow rating for the Dakota I have is 6,300 lbs. The dry 250 DA is 5,300 and the trailer under 2,000. So, by a literal interpretation of the ratiing, I'm over the limit. Both my mechanic and my insurance company tell me that the trailer brakes bring me back well within limits and give me room for stuff on the boat.

Of course having the equipment in good shape is crucial, regardless of what you have. I have my brakes overhauled at the beginning of each season, and checked regularly during the season. As everyone says, the brakes are the crucial point. I also travel with virtually no water, gas or waste on the boat, reducing the weight a bit.

If I towed more often and longer, towed in steeper terrain, or when/if I get a bigger boat, then I'd need a bigger vehicle.
 
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