Quote:
Originally Posted by digdesign
It's a Trailex CT-8045, which is 14' (20' overall). It does have a tire rack in the front, but the toolbox and gas jugs are in the back. I do plan on weighing the tongue and making adjustments. This trailer has the axles mounted on rails so, if needed, I can tweak the axle location to get it just right. I bought it specifically for downsizing so that I can tow with an SUV (I was previously towing with a GMC 2500HD Durmax) I'm confident I can get the load balanced.
No. The car isn't legal for M3T, it was built long before M3T was created. |
Trailex makes really nice trailers. That said, Christ, that's a REALLY small one. I didn't think you could fit any 3 series on something less than 16' long without the ass hanging off the back! Regardless, that's super compact and super cool.
I went the opposite route. I just picked up a 24' enclosed aluminum trailer myself (not Trailex, though). All in, she'll tip the scales at approx. 7,400lbs with a full load. I'm going to try towing her with the X5. First unloaded (4200-4300lbs), then with just the car, 6,900lbs, and then loaded up at 7,400lbs. There are quite a few guys on this forum towing over 6,000lbs. One has actually towed a 31', 8,900lbs Airstream over 40,000 miles without a problem (albeit with a Hensley WD/SC - a hitch which I have going on my trailer as well). That is not a typo: a 31', 8,900lbs Airstream. Anyways, that's how I'm setting up my rig - if it doesn't work I'm going to go with a 1/2 ton. If other people are doing this successfully AND SAFELY, it's at least worth a try.
A little known fact is that BMW offers an option called "increased towing capacity" that increases the X5's tow limit to 7,700lbs (this option is available on both the E53 and E70). I just found out about this and will be calling BMW tomorrow to find out what software/hardware that option actually includes. A cursory observation reveals that it's all cooling and not structurally related so the chassis should be able to handle up to 7,700lbs unmodified. You could go this route as well.
I'm just saying all this stuff so you don't worry about the load you're carrying - your expected load is not going to stress your X5.
I hear you about your E30. Very cool car.