Quote:
Originally Posted by PropellerHead
Update: Evidently, there is an actuator rebuild kit available. At the least, I was advised that building THIS would tell us if the actual Xfer case was fncked.  All tested OK after the $400 rebuild (vs a $2k unit).
And it turns out that the rebuild for the actuator may have (actuator'ed) WORKED! So, the stock Xfer case remains. Less than 45 days before we send the baby girl and her little 128i coupe off to college. This will be a moment for the E53. I intend to hook up a a U-Haul for the 1st ever tow (that wasn't 4 bicycles) on the E53. Let's see how THAT goes. 
How to tow anything in ANY car advice now accepted. I haven't towed anything ever before. |
Towing is not that complex, you'll be fine.
The big things that are important are:
1) Make sure you get adequate tongue weight. In a car with springs, that's easy - a tape measure and dude on the tailgate is generally enough to work that out. (Just measure the before / after height of the hitch and make sure it's similar when you have the trailer loaded.) If you have air, that's a bit more complicated, but basically remember to put the heavy stuff in front of the trailer axle.
2) If the trailer starts wagging, hitting the brakes is the wrong move. Try gently letting off the accelerator, but you may actually need throttle to get control back. If you have a brake controller (you won't with u-haul), the manual brake override is also good for straightening things out.
Otherwise, just remember that you'll be accelerating and braking slower than you're used to. It's no big deal. The X5 tows quite well.