1500 miles in the X5, 750 of it towing....the good.

[TowX]

Well, I've had it less than 2 weeks but have already installed the factory hitch and tried it out.

750 miles from Chicago to the Poconos with no trailer. 20.5 mpg for the trip running 80-85. That's better than my old Audi allroad twin turbo six ever did on the same trip. How does a 5000 lb V8 out-mpg a 6 cylinder 4300 lb station wagon? Very comfortable, love the Sport's seats. And the Hankook IceBears were quiet and comfortable.

Return trip pulling a Uhaul trail full of furniture, probably 3,000 lbs. Until I hit snow and headwinds, the X5 pulled beautifully. There wasn't a hill I couldn't pull at 75+. Unfortunately snow and poor visibility slowed me down, then stiff headwinds killed the fuel economy, but still a nice trip

Can't wait to hook up the car trailer and head to the track events this summer. The X5 is going to make the long hauls much easier to tolerate.

Just one question, and one I know has been discussed here- with the trailer hooked up, the blinkers flash at least twice as fast at normal. Has anyone ever tried a different flasher relay? Or any other ideas to cure this problem?

[Quicksilver]

75+ pulling a trailer? Keep that up and i can guess what your gonna get.....

Originally Posted by TowX

There wasn't a hill I couldn't pull at 75+.

[TowX]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

75+ pulling a trailer? Keep that up and i can guess what your gonna get.....

Speed limit was 70. (part of the trip anyway.)

[Quicksilver]

Speed limit 70MPH towing a trailer.........Hmmmmm OK

Originally Posted by TowX

Speed limit was 70. (part of the trip anyway.)

[TowX]

But really officer, the truck pulled so well I forgot there was a trailer behind me. I just thought it was someone drafting me.

[Quicksilver]

I know my son...... Here's 2 points on your lic... Have a good day!!!

OBTW glad you had a good tow...

[TowX]

It was a good tow. I'm really impressed with the way the X5 pulls, how the self levelling rear helped keep the tongue weight in check, and especially how the V8 pulls. I tow with several others who regularly tow to tracks across the northeast and midwest, and the pulling speeds often run 75-80 (Cayennes, Denalis, turbo diesel GM trucks). The X5 will most definitely run with the best of them..... when the trailer gets set up properly for tongue weight etc.
But of course, I'll tow at 55.

[acitydweller]

LOL

[930LDR]

Awesome... I intend to go looking for a trailer for my 930 this summer. Looking forward to the security of knowing that if I eat it at the track or something breaks I don't have to go scrambling looking for a friend to tow the car home!

This will be my first time towing anything ever in any sort of vehicle so I'll be poking around to make sure that I get the trailer set up appropriately.

[TowX]

Originally Posted by 930LDR

Awesome... I intend to go looking for a trailer for my 930 this summer. Looking forward to the security of knowing that if I eat it at the track or something breaks I don't have to go scrambling looking for a friend to tow the car home!

This will be my first time towing anything ever in any sort of vehicle so I'll be poking around to make sure that I get the trailer set up appropriately.

I know another local Chicago-area Porsche guy who's also going to be looking for a trailer. Maybe we can get a deal if all 3 of us buty together?

My original plan was to find an aluminum trailer for the weight savings (Featherlight etc) but after the way the X5 pulled, I don't think the 400-500 lb weight savings is worth the extra $$. My old trailer was a steel open deck Econo trailer from Dively Mfg in Pa. 16' deck, 20' overall. Used to pull that all over the east coast with the previous 911 on it. Can probably get one of those new for under $2,000. And they make theirs with a 4 or 5 ft beaver tail, double axle brakes, and all the usual standard goodies. Good value and well built. But I also know of a used Featherlight up in WI too.