3.0i and towing

[RFaber]

the hitch doesn't look that bad at all, if you find an original one, (unicorn) or the an aftermarket one they look pretty much like any hitch would. the key is to get the wiring harness (ESCtuning has the kits) youll need the plug (7 pin connector --> 4 pin) the harness that connects to the wiring inside the rear passenger side plug, as well as the trailering module that plugs into the wiring that ends in the battery compartment, the module deactivates the rear PDC , and lets the truck know youre towing once something is connected to it!
its a pretty easy install, lots of tutorials on here etc.
ive hauled my jeep home on a car trailer without trailer brakes with no issues!
good luck!

[LeiZ]

Was wondering, if I don't have the PDC, can I skip the module? I got a wiring harness from a junk yard, but no module.

Originally Posted by RFaber

the hitch doesn't look that bad at all, if you find an original one, (unicorn) or the an aftermarket one they look pretty much like any hitch would. the key is to get the wiring harness (ESCtuning has the kits) youll need the plug (7 pin connector --> 4 pin) the harness that connects to the wiring inside the rear passenger side plug, as well as the trailering module that plugs into the wiring that ends in the battery compartment, the module deactivates the rear PDC , and lets the truck know youre towing once something is connected to it!
its a pretty easy install, lots of tutorials on here etc.
ive hauled my jeep home on a car trailer without trailer brakes with no issues!
good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[audiophool]

Towed our 2000 pound boat from Calgary to Kootenay Lake last July and will do it again this summer. I'd not towed anything with the 3.0 but it had a hitch already installed. I thought it was pretty cool when one of the lamps on the trailer failed that side blinked doubletime even though both lamps on the truck were working.

On the first few hills I was a tad alarmed about the downshifts - it seemed to combine 3rd 4th and 5th with lockout to give 5 different ratios but didn't embarass me on the drive. Temperatures never wavered and we got 13L/100km on the 1200km round trip. Not bad for 250,000km.

Here's a beauty shot. It's a 16' tinny sport with a massaged outboard - rebuilt the 90 using a 140 block and bits. The boat goes like a cut snake - boat is rated for 105hp...



This shot was taken 2 days later - hard water season just started.

[RFaber]

I tow a 3000lb trailer fairly regularly, no concerns, The hitch looks pretty good back there, (mind you, every truck ive ever had has had a hitch!)
the trailer module is a pretty key component. It provides turn signal info (at the minimum) and switches off the pdc back there when a trailer is on. i do keep it in sport mode, and tend to use the manual mode to keep revs up when i go up hills etc. for the most part, i havent had any issues. the standard tranny cooler seems to be enough! (so far!) I will be looking to install a trailer brake system this spring too, for now, its fine!

[audiophool]

Our X5 doesn't have PDC, so that's not a concern. But clearly must have the module as it recognizes the presence of the trailer when the plug is fitted.

The boat trailer has surge brakes - stainless steel disc from Tiedown Industries - that work very well. One time I tried to backe it up a hill with the connector out and the truck couldn't overcome the brake. The harder I pushed, the harder it fought. There's a blocking solenoid valve in the brake line for that reason.

[andrewwynn]

I would use an OBD reader (I use a wifi type and my iPhone with dash command ) you can monitor actual engine temps. You said temp didn't waver but the temp indicator on the dash is not really a gauge: it shows the same noon position from 75-115°C (or something similar, that is the buffer for the E46)

[Thaniel]

With my 330i (same 3.0 l motor) I've towed another 330I on a tow dolly. Towed it better than my landrover discovery did. So good infact I towed an E90 later. Both of them were towed on the freeway for more than 2 hours. Set the cruise and just relax.

The Germans use their vehicles to tow things. The engine can do it.

Thaniel.

[andrewwynn]

I've had my x5 loaded to max capacity and it still has no problem towing nearly a ton of trailer. It's helps a lot that I have the air suspension as there is no sag with 200-300# of tongue weight which pre-loads the spring rate on the back and makes it more stable.

My mpg dropped from 22 to 17 when towing.

[audiophool]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I've had my x5 loaded to max capacity and it still has no problem towing nearly a ton of trailer. It's helps a lot that I have the air suspension as there is no sag with 200-300# of tongue weight which pre-loads the spring rate on the back and makes it more stable.

My mpg dropped from 22 to 17 when towing.

Mine went from 10L/100km normal highway to 13L/100 towing or about 23.5 to 18 US mpg. The 6 isn't really that much less thirsty than the 8, is it.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by audiophool

Mine went from 10L/100km normal highway to 13L/100 towing or about 23.5 to 18 US mpg. The 6 isn't really that much less thirsty than the 8, is it.

No they are quite similar. I used to have a Z28 Camaro and got 23.5 highway. When I drove a mix of city and "pretend to be a motorcycle" I would get 12-13 on a full tank!

Far bigger difference in mpg from habit than cylinders! Bigger engine is using less of its effort to push the car down the road. There are just some additional frictional losses from more parts largely responsible for the minor differences in mpg.

I bought my car used at auction and PO removed all the badges so I didn't even know if it was 8 or 6 until I got my first oil change.

I was happy enough was the six based on reliability numbers but would trade for and eight any time for the additional power