Trailer Hauling?

[Rustynuts]

What's the biggest trailer an 06 can handle? And is it best to let the dealer do the hitch or will any do fine? Looking to get an enclosed one for household goods. Single or double axle work best?

[JCL]

I wouldn't go much bigger than the frontal area of the X3.

In terms of weight, with an X3 you can tow up to 1600 lbs without trailer brakes, and up to 3500 lbs with trailer brakes. That assumes the use of the OE BMW hitch, which has some restrictions on maximum drop and reach for the trailer ball from the hitch pin. No need for a dual axle trailer at that weight limit.

Recommend you use the OE hitch, it attaches nicely. You don't need the dealer to install it, any shop can do it or do it yourself if you are handy. The OE hitch also comes with an OE wiring interface, which turns off the rear PDC when a trailer is attached to stop the beeping. It also tells the vehicle that there is a trailer there, so you get the advantage of the Trailer Stability Control program in the DSC when towing.

Lots of posts if you search. Here is a shot of ours towing.

http://www.xoutpost.com/713967-post1.html

[Rustynuts]

Thanks, good info. Any good places online for the hitch, or just the usual BMW ones?

[JCL]

I use my local dealer.

ECS list it.

BMW E83 X3 M54 3.0L > Exterior > Trailer > ES#185398 Trailer Hitch Kit - 71600035368

[ZetaTre]

I've installed the hitch kit from BMW and used it several times to tow toys to the track. One issue you might run into is that the blinkers won't work right is the trailer has LED lights. There is a special adapter required and available at the VW dealer. Here's more info: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ing-hitch.html