Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-27-2021, 09:16 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 99
Perrier is on a distinguished road
Trailer towing

I need a trailer and looking to get an enclosed trailer to tow behind my 2004 e53 3.0. I don't have a tow package on this car and will have to settle for an aftermarket tow bar.

What specifications should I be looking for to be able to safely tow long distance without breaking the car? i.e. Is a 6x12 enclosed trailer too heavy for a 3.0? 6x10 safer? Single axle or dual axle?

Any recommendations and insights would be appreciated.
__________________
2004 X5 3.0
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 05-27-2021, 09:44 PM
andrewwynn's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Racine, WI
Posts: 10,817
andrewwynn will become famous soon enough
Do you have 255 tires and what load rating? Also do you have air suspension?

I've towed 4500# and I've towed 1700# with 1300# inisde the truck at the same time. Tows like a champ


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________
2011 E70 • N55 (me)
2012 E70 • N63 (wife)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-27-2021, 10:31 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 99
Perrier is on a distinguished road
I have 255 tires with load rating XL, and no air suspension

Any thoughts regarding single or tandem axles?
__________________
2004 X5 3.0
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-27-2021, 10:46 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 1,109
Bdc101 is on a distinguished road
The car is rated up to I think 5,500 or 6,000 for the 3.0 with automatic trans.



I have towed a 3500lb trailer for several years with a fully loaded car and it does fine. Climbing at elevation is a little straining on the 3.0 but just make sure your cooling system is in good shape. Expect 10-12 mpg.



On ebay there is a guy making reproduction wiring for the factory tow module. I would highly recommend this as it is plug and play.
__________________
2003 3.0 5MT Topasblau
Purchased in 2016 and surprisingly still running
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-27-2021, 11:24 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 816
Effduration is on a distinguished road
Get the OEM tow package. Yes it’s expensive (unless you get lucky and find one in a junkyard), but it is worth every cent.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-27-2021, 11:47 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 99
Perrier is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Effduration View Post
Get the OEM tow package. Yes it’s expensive (unless you get lucky and find one in a junkyard), but it is worth every cent.
What does this include? Towing electronic module, it's wires, and plugs, anything else since the tow hitch is NLA

Do you guys use brake controllers?
__________________
2004 X5 3.0
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-28-2021, 07:17 AM
LVP LVP is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 845
LVP is on a distinguished road
I've got the Tekonsha wireless unit and it does ok. If you have multiple trailers with brakes, you need to move it around from trailer to trailer. I leave mine on the track car trailer. The smaller trailers I tow don't have brakes so this setup works for me.
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bra...ha/TK94FR.html

I also got an adapter in line with this so the LED lights on the trailer don't set off the blinkers. Can't remember which one, but I think I listed in another post. I could look up if you get to that point.
__________________
Daily Drivers:
- 2008 535i, 290,000km
- 2004 X5 4.4, 01/2004 production, 380,000km
- 1998 328i, 370,000km

Track:
- 1996 328i, track/race car, ~300,000km

Winter:
- 2013 Ski-Doo MXZ X 800 E-TEC, trail can
- 2001 Ski-Doo MXZ 600 w/800 engine, exhaust
- 1978 Ski-Doo Olympique 340 (vintage race sled)
- 1977 Ski-Doo Olympique 340E

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-28-2021, 07:51 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 816
Effduration is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perrier View Post
What does this include? Towing electronic module, it's wires, and plugs, anything else since the tow hitch is NLA

Do you guys use brake controllers?
Originally the OEM trailer hitch came with everything incl. all metal pieces, trailer harness and trailer module. Make sure you get EVERYTHING... There are a lot of people on EBay selling incomplete hitches and you will likely never find the missing pieces.

As noted, you can buy the harness and modules separately from seller(s) on Ebay.

People also sell complete hitch kits and you might get lucky in a junkyard, but have to move fast.

Here is a complete kit
- the 5-sided spacers shown on top of the box on left next to piston inserts were eliminated in later years when this hitch was offered.

Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-28-2021, 04:45 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 99
Perrier is on a distinguished road
In terms of wiring, is this all I need, does it look complete?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234019343767

There seems to be two ends to the wires, so one end plugs into the module, the other end into the trailer plug. How does the module communicate with the car?
__________________
2004 X5 3.0
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-28-2021, 05:13 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 816
Effduration is on a distinguished road
Yes in fact that is actual OEM I think, not a reproduction. All you need for wiring.

Last edited by Effduration; 05-28-2021 at 06:33 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:17 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.