Towing 5800 lbs w/04 6 Speed

[DSAviate]

Hi All - I'm new here. Replacing my '98 328i 5 speed and Chevy Suburban with a manual X5!!

Definitely want a manual unless it is highly inadvisable in a towing application. Looking at the '04 3.0i 6 speed, but will consider anything from '01-on if all considerations warrant.

I'll be hauling our boat (photo attached) over mostly flat terrain but need to be mindful over getting the 5800 lbs. load out of the water on the various wet ramps.

I'll be using a large wheel chock, in addition to the parking break, while starting out in 1st gear on the incline.

Anyone have experience with this??

Specs show the 1st gear ratios for 5 speeds thru '03 at 5.09:1, and 6 speeds '04 on at 5.13:1.

The ratios seem high enough for a slow acceleration while heavily loaded from stop, and close enough that I wouldn't necessarily require one transmission (year) over the other.

Any ideas?

Thanks in Advance - M54 Lover.

[cobra94563]

that's big tow. Sure you wouldn't want the 4.4 or 4.6?

[Dking05]

sorry if you already know but, BMW has a feature called "TripTronic" This is basically a manual form of shifting *no clutch* all you do is switch from D > m/s and now u can shift UP.DOWN with a simple tap. It works in all gears 1-5/6. same principles as manual i guess. EDIT- Its standard on all X5's

[JCL]

I assume you have had the boat and trailer on the scales, and have a real-world estimate of what the weight will be (with typical fuel and water loads, etc).

The 3.0 is rated to tow 6000 lbs from 2004 onwards, and the manual transmission was rated to tow 6000 lbs from 2001. The 3.0 automatic from 2001-2003 was rated to tow 5000 lbs. So, you are in the range. With a manual transmission, it has a stump-puller first gear, so that is in your favour and clutches shouldn't be an issue.

Not sure how wet/slippery/steep your launching ramps are, but the X5 is fairly sure-footed, so should be fine.

You are pretty much at the weight limit of towing for the 3.0, and need to consider the wind resistance as much as the weight. If you are on flat ground, and are comfortable towing that weight, the 3.0 will do fine, but it won't be racing up the on ramps.

One thought is whether the ramps are steep enough to get the boat floating without getting the back of the X5 wet. There isn't as much rear overhang on the X5 as many other vehicles, and that is very good for towing stability, but not so good for the reach required with some trailers.

Strongly recommend you only consider the OEM hitch, and OEM wiring kit.

If you do a search, there are lots of pictures/stories on here about towing large trailers and boats. I never towed over 5000 lbs with my 3.0 Steptronic, but it did fine.

Good luck, and let us know how it works out.

[DSAviate]

Thanks for info so far guys, . . . especially Ur's JCL.

OK. So far:

1. '04 and after have beefier capabilities
2. 1st gear on manual transmission will work fine
3. Know about and have driven the Steptronic, just doesn't have the "bimmer" experience I've come to love (95% of my driving in this machine will be w/o the trailer.
4. I'm launching in saltwater, so bumper/mufflers/wheels/etc. exposure is a constant concern, . . . may have to get a trailer arm extender . . . can certainly solve that problem.
5. Yes, I have weighed the load (loaded) at 5800 +/- 100.
6. I've worked my M54s hard over the years, not concerned about revving 4-5k for a stretch to tackle a grade.
7. Will splurge for the OEM hitch and wires based on everyone's advice on that.

So, 2 additional questions:

1. BavAuto recommended AGAINST the self leveling suspension . . . prone to failures, expensive to repair, etc. Comments?

2. On previous vehicles, the transmission has been the weak link in towing, dissipating heat, etc. On the '04 and after, which is stronger, the manual trans or the steptronic?

Thanks - M54 Lover
Retired '98 328i, '93 525iT

[vinuneuro]

If you're getting a 6-speed, make sure you get one with the self-leveling suspension as it was an option on the 3.0's.

[vinuneuro]

There's no problem at all with self-leveling rear suspension. The 4.8is has air ride height control at all four wheels that tends to be problematic sometimes, but that's an entirely different problem, it's the front suspension on those. Towing 5800lbs self-leveling rear will be invaluable in distributing the load to the front.

Previous gen automatic transmissions are questionable, but not related to towing. You won't have any issues with the manual.

[DSAviate]

Thanks vinuneuro-

Towing package for many cars includes an additional transmission oil cooler, but I assume that isn't an issue for the X5.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by DSAviate

Thanks vinuneuro-

Towing package for many cars includes an additional transmission oil cooler, but I assume that isn't an issue for the X5.

They all have a transmission cooler.

[JCL]

DSAviate:

'04 and later have more capacity only in the automatic 3.0. I wouldn't call it beefier, everything else is the same except the transmission, at least with respect to towing capacity.

I'm with you on the manual transmission, and the M54. Look at my signature. Brilliant engine. Since you understand that you won't be winning drag races towing down the on-ramp, you will be fine with the 3.0. And yes, they are happy to rev.

I don't think the transmissions are a weak point. There are reported failures at higher mileages, but there is no obvious correlation to trailer towing. Many of the failures include things like sensors and actuators, not failures related to heat dissipation.

Suggest you do a search on a poster here called withidl. He towed 8300 lbs of Airstream with his 4.4, for tens of thousands of miles. Good reference as to the vehicle's capacity. There are also other posts about towing larger loads with the 3.0

Good luck

Jeff