Tow hitch limit

[chrisn7]

Looking at the handbook for the E53, the tow hitch limit is stated as 120/150, where the second higher value applies 'with uprated suspension option'. Does anyone know what constitutes this option? It might simply be the fitment of air suspension, which mine has, but could it be something else?

[gmc15]

Think you are right in that the 150kg limit is with air suspension fitted

[chrisn7]

Thank you for responding

[X5-D-Sport]

please clarify...

Is the 150KG the limit of the weight on the hitch - ie what the read suspension can cope with ?

What is the max All-Up-Weight towed weight of a trailer or horse box etc ??

[X5Sport]

150kgs on the nose, or whatever the sticker that should be in the boot says.  Factory cars should have a silver printed sticker just inside the tailgate.  Some were under the boot carpet.  I had one on the E53, E71 and Countryman which all had factory bars.

I think the max trailer weight is either 2.4 or 2.7T.  The E70/71 could be upgraded at build to 3.5T with additional cooling parts fitted.  Doing it post build is VERY expensive.

[gmc15]

The 150kg is the max weight that should be put onto the tow ball. Not sure what the all up max weight is. A guide is not to tow anything that is more that the kerb weight of the car, ie no more than a 1:1 ratio car: trailer.

[X5Sport]

Good advice    After being involved in a major crash with a trailer 15 years ago, the Police Sgt who investigated it suggested that for a novice you never exceed 80% of the 'tractor' weight with the trailer and only the most experienced should go up to 100% but should never exceed it.  We were all untrained novices then and the trailer weighed 3.3T and 250kgs on the nose.  The 'tractor' was a Disco 2 with a V8 auto.

None of us understood what getting it wrong could mean until a Friday afternoon on the A1(M)    I wouldn't recommend finding out the hard way as I did.

When I was looking at caravans a couple of years ago that meant about 1.9T laden could be pulled at 80%.  A pretty decent twin-axle van came in just under that.

[chrisn7]

The guideline for towing novices, as advised by the Caravan Club, is not to tow more than 85% of the towcar's kerb weight. To be clear this is a guideline, and has no legal standing. My reason for asking is that you have to check the car makers tow hitch limit, the towbar makers limit, plus follow whatever recommendations the caravan maker specifies (if any). The BMW limit appears to be a healthy 150 Kg; the aftermarket Witter towbar instructions give no recommendation at all (surprisingly); the ALKO hitch maker none at all; the caravan maker says follow the vehicle recommendation!

[Steamyrotter]

The witter tow bar should be type approved and will have a label on it with details.
You can get them off their web site or through customer services

I seem to remember my witter is rated to 150kg as per the car max.
Although I try to keep my caravan nearer to the 100-120kg as that gives me the better feel, ride and handling

[shadrack]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Good advice    After being involved in a major crash with a trailer 15 years ago, the Police Sgt who investigated it suggested that for a novice you never exceed 80% of the 'tractor' weight with the trailer and only the most experienced should go up to 100% but should never exceed it.  We were all untrained novices then and the trailer weighed 3.3T and 250kgs on the nose.  The 'tractor' was a Disco 2 with a V8 auto.

None of us understood what getting it wrong could mean until a Friday afternoon on the A1(M)    I wouldn't recommend finding out the hard way as I did.

When I was looking at caravans a couple of years ago that meant about 1.9T laden could be pulled at 80%.  A pretty decent twin-axle van came in just under that.
[/quote]

im surprised you managed to cover the distance between fuel stations towing 3.3t on a disco v8 auto!

[X5Sport]

We did have to refuel 2x between Whitby and Croydon!  If I remember correctly we could get the mpg around 7-11.  Glad it wasn't mine!