Is tow hitch rated for weight distribution?

KivaKarma · #1 03-08-2010, 02:11 PM

I have a 2005 X3 that I bought used from a dealer in 2007. It did not come with a towing hitch, but I had them install one when I bought it. As it turns out, it is made by Oris, a German company. I am about to tow a travel trailer with the X3, and in an effort to be as safe as possible, I would like to use weight distribution bars with sway control. I have heard that in order to use these devices, you should make sure that your installed hitch is rated for weight distribution. The sticker on the Oris hitch, however, doesn't say that it is specifically rated for that. I'm hoping that it is plenty strong and that the only reason it doesn't have the rating is that it is from Germany. Does anyone know? I sure would appreciate any insight you have.

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m5james · #2 03-08-2010, 02:33 PM

Have you tried Googling the company? That'll probably get you quicker results.

KivaKarma · #3 03-08-2010, 05:39 PM

Yes, I contacted Oris, and they needed to send the question to their headquarters in Germany. I haven't received a definitive answer.

JCL · #4 03-08-2010, 09:38 PM

Your X3 is rated to tow 3500 lbs with the OEM Class 2 hitch. Anything over 1600 lbs requires trailer brakes. Maximum tongue weight is 350 lbs. There is absolutely no requirement for a weight distribution hitch with only 350 lbs of tongue weight. Save yourself the trouble. Do make sure you have brakes installed, though.

How heavy is the trailer you are planning on pulling?

KivaKarma · #5 03-08-2010, 09:50 PM

I'll be pulling an 18' R-Pod travel trailer that will weigh approximately 3200-3400 pounds fully loaded. I understand that there is no requirement to use a weight distribution hitch. I just want to be as safe as possible and not have any issue at all with the trailer ever swaying, say, if a semi truck passes me at a fast clip. I also like the idea of distributing the weight more evenly over all three axles rather than putting the bulk of the strain mainly on the X3. I am having a brake controller installed as I write this...which was a trick in and of itself. Because of BMW's intricate wiring system, no one in town would even touch it. Even the BMW dealer didn't want to install a part that isn't BMW, but BMW does not make a brake controller for towing. I provided them with a Prodigy brake controller, and I finally persuaded them to install it for me.

JCL · #6 03-09-2010, 03:24 AM

You'll be at the weight limit with that trailer, but should be fine. Glad to hear you are doing the brakes up properly, as many don't bother to ensure they have functioning trailer brakes.

Just my $0.02, but sway will be impacted by proper balance in the trailer (correct tongue weight, etc) than anything else. You will have the brake controller, as well as the trailer towing mode in the Dynamic Stability Control working for you. Crosswinds could be an issue, depending how much wind the trailer catches. I would try it out without the sway bars first. They work very well, it is just that you really aren't up into the range where a weight distributing setup is required. A class 3 hitch is more appropriate for a WD setup. The equalizer bars can also tend to move the hitch ball rearwards on the receiver, which impacts handling.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Here is a shot of our X3 with a rental trailer on, going over the Rockies in February. About 1600 lbs total trailer weight in this case, and the vehicle was fully loaded as well. It pulled very well, and we had no sway issues at all. We restricted ourselves to 120 km/hr.

m5james · #7 03-09-2010, 10:40 PM

LOL....I towed a Uhaul trailer that exact same size from Seattle to DC using a Mercury Sable. Moved out there for a year for work....lots of clothes, a motorcycle and other bits and pieces. Other than adjusting my headlights and decreased gas mileage, it had no negative affect on the car.

The ONLY problem I had towing the same trailer coming back to Seattle was when the left wheel came off due to the shop overtightening the wheel lugs, so they all sheered off. It probably doesn't help that since I was driving back in my supercharged Tacoma V6 that I was able to go quicker on the drive back home

Unless you're towing like 15,000lbs, I wouldn't worry about weight distrubition on the hitch, just load it evenly inside the trailer itself so it's not front or back heavy. Everytime I've ever seen a distribution hitch was for vehicles like my F350 when towing some serious weight.

KivaKarma · #8 03-10-2010, 05:36 PM

I appreciate the feedback very much!

madhatch · #9 03-12-2010, 07:22 PM

the sticker on my Hidden Hitch Class III Trailer Hitch part #87403 says
WEIGHT CARRYING
MASS GROSS TRAILER WT 3500LBS
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING
MASS GROSS TRAILER WT 4000LBS

m5james · #10 03-12-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madhatch

the sticker on my Hidden Hitch Class III Trailer Hitch part #87403 that I have for sale says
WEIGHT CARRYING
MASS GROSS TRAILER WT 3500LBS
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING
MASS GROSS TRAILER WT 4000LBS

I have a pic in my ad
BMW X3 Hidden Hitch Class III Trailer Hitch E82 $115 shipped - bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[email protected]

Jesus, I wish I could find a hidden hitch for the X5 in that price range, or even a normal one!

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