Help me locate a rebuilt ATC-500

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Update: Evidently, there is an actuator rebuild kit available. At the least, I was advised that building THIS would tell us if the actual Xfer case was fncked. All tested OK after the $400 rebuild (vs a $2k unit).

And it turns out that the rebuild for the actuator may have (actuator'ed) WORKED! So, the stock Xfer case remains. Less than 45 days before we send the baby girl and her little 128i coupe off to college. This will be a moment for the E53. I intend to hook up a a U-Haul for the 1st ever tow (that wasn't 4 bicycles) on the E53. Let's see how THAT goes.

How to tow anything in ANY car advice now accepted. I haven't towed anything ever before.

Towing is not that complex, you'll be fine.

The big things that are important are:

1) Make sure you get adequate tongue weight. In a car with springs, that's easy - a tape measure and dude on the tailgate is generally enough to work that out. (Just measure the before / after height of the hitch and make sure it's similar when you have the trailer loaded.) If you have air, that's a bit more complicated, but basically remember to put the heavy stuff in front of the trailer axle.

2) If the trailer starts wagging, hitting the brakes is the wrong move. Try gently letting off the accelerator, but you may actually need throttle to get control back. If you have a brake controller (you won't with u-haul), the manual brake override is also good for straightening things out.

Otherwise, just remember that you'll be accelerating and braking slower than you're used to. It's no big deal. The X5 tows quite well.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

Towing is not that complex, you'll be fine.

Well, Thanks! I did some practice over a couple of days. 1st with my buddy's big a$$ truck and his trailer. Then, when I remembered to bring the lock for my hitch pin , We got around to hooking up a trailer to the X5 for the 1st time ever.

I will admit: I made it a much bigger deal than it needed to be. I learned some nifty tricks and some best practices. I will need to write, "YOU'RE TOWING!" in magic marker on the windshield. LOL It was tough to remember that there's something back there.

[andrewwynn]

That's some good advice. Depending how heavy the load you should not be able to lift the tongue when loaded. Test your brakes regularly. Eg at every red light, a soft brake long before you need to to make sure you have braking power long before you need to stop.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

A quick trip for college orientation flips the bits...

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I have ab 6 weeks before I take my little road trip partner off to college.

Daaanngg.. Prop.! How are you taking it? Mine got in for her BA, and leaves in 4 weeks. She’s not even 21 yet, and I’m sending my baby off into the world. Aarrgghhh.. LoL..


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Happy

Daaanngg.. Prop.! How are you taking it? Mine got in for her BA, and leaves in 4 weeks. She’s not even 21 yet, and I’m sending my baby off into the world. Aarrgghhh.. LoL..

2 more weeks and the nest is empty, quiet, and no more random cats (girls) curled up on the furniture in the morning. She turned 19 last month. In a way, it will be nice to have the worry right in front of us. In the other way, being a solid 6hrs away from a morning hug is pretty daunting.

But, she got her student tickets lottery and is excited about 5 home games in the Fall. She's going to learn so much more outside the classroom than within. That's where my concern targets so much more deeply. She spent 13 years at one single-sex school. This will be the most challenging social environment she's ever seen.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

2 more weeks and the nest is empty.

She turned 19 last month. In a way, it will be nice to have the worry right in front of us. In the other way, being a solid 6hrs away from a morning hug is pretty daunting.

She's going to learn so much more outside the classroom than within. That's where my concern targets so much more deeply. She spent 13 years at one single-sex school. This will be the most challenging social environment she's ever seen.

An empty nest.. Not I, the two oldest are out. But, the sixteen year old and 6 month old will definitely keep me busy.

Yeah I’ll be going through it when the realization hits. When the oldest left I was lost for a bit. LoL.. Daunting indeed.

Yep, the exposure! We share the same concern. My baby girl has ALWAYS been at an arms length. This feels different.


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

[Bottomfeeder]

I picked up an OEM hitch from @crystalworks awhile back and put it on my '05 3.0, but admittedly haven't towed much with it. Did make one fun little road trip last year from TX up to CO and back pulling a small motorcycle trailer. Made no difference to the X5 whatsoever.

A 20 year old German vehicle pulling a 40 year old one … what could go wrong? :-)

Best of luck with the college dropoff. That time is fast approaching for me as well. It all goes so fast.

Chris
Lockhart, TX

[Attacking Mid]

I'm more interested in the story on the bike. R80 GS, I presume? Looks like it could use a little TLC, but cool older BMW.

AM.

[Bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

I'm more interested in the story on the bike. R80 GS, I presume? Looks like it could use a little TLC, but cool older BMW.

AM.

Not an R80 G/S, unfortunately ... those have gotten WAY out of my price range these days!

This one is a total frankenbeemer. Started life as a 1980 R100RT, owner rode the heck out of it and later put an R100RS motor in it, along with the big 40mm Bing carbs. She's a bit rough cosmetically, but runs like an absolute beast. She's also sporting a very late model handmade Heinrich tank that is rare as hen's teeth - it's the only one I've personally ever seen with the flush fuel tank cap that was on the /7 and later BMW motorcycles.

But bringing it back to the X5, even with the fairly dinky 3.0 it pulled the trailer and bike flawlessly over those Colorado passes. Most of my road trips in this car have been taking my son to chess tournaments, but this was totally a "me" trip. And it did make me feel good about the car's towing capabilities, at least for my needs. Wouldn't want to pull an Airstream, though. :-)

Best regards,
Chris

[Bottomfeeder]

I, for one, am hoping for a detailed road trip report from @PropellerHead on the college dropoff trip. Both for the X5 towing content and, for me (selfishly), a glimpse into the future.:-)

Is there not a "Road trip in elderly X5 thread?" Seems like there should be. They're always interesting.

Best to all,

Chris
Lockhart, TX