Towing questions..

[militantman]

Doing a bit of towing with my 2003 X5 with the 4.4 and I am not quite as impressed as the others on here that are towing with there X5s... I am towing a small inclosed motorcycle trailer 6 x 8 with a v nose and with all the cargo loaded in I am about 2400 lbs. Thought for sure with the v8 power I would easily be able to leave this thing in drive and not have to worry about it. Well I tried this the first time out and I didn't like the back shifting that was happening when I would come to even the smallest of grades. Just tiny little hills would make this thing backshift. I tried it with my foot and with the cruise and the cruise was definetly worse as it would back shift at the sight of a grade. After that first go around I came on this board and did a bit of reading and to my surprise everyone was bragging about how much they liked towing and how much power they had in reserve and or talked about towing some huge trailers that I couldn't even imagine pulling with my X5. I then read on here how many like putting the trans in the manual mode as they said it wouldn"t backshift when pulling larger loads and just left it in cruise. Well this last time out pulling I tried this, put it in manual mode and hit the cruise. Well, I must say it was better but it still will back shift on even small grades. I was under the impression that in manual mode this thing wouldnt back shift at all. For me so far just leaving it in drive and using my foot has been the best way for me to tow as I can kind of control the back shift by geting a bit of a run if I see a grade coming and then not pushing down on the pedal at all and just letting it drop a few miles an hour till I get over it... Am I overlooking something, do you think my X5 is just a toad??? To me my X5 runs like a swiss watch, looks great, always maintained, only the best synthetic oil, and not even the smallest of tick or non normal sound coming from my motor... If anyone has any suggestions, advice or any info at all it would be greatly appreciated... One more thing what does everyone think of the cushioned ball mounts??? Looks like a bit of a slot in the receiver that has some urethane in it to take up some of the shock of towing. Seems as if it would be good for my X5 and also the trailer but for sure I am no expert... Any and all info will be greatly appreciated...

[roadfrog]

I found the X5 (so far) to be a great hauler. I've towed with an F350 Diesel, Jeep Grand, and others and I am completely happy with the X5 pulling my 3000k lb boat. Sure it downshifts, but that doesn't neccessarily mean lack of power, but perhaps the computer "doing it's thing" for best performance (fuel economy/temps, maintaining optimum revs). I've had no issue keeping up with traffic and if you're familiar with my part of the world, we have some challenging conditions for towing (Rocky Mountains of the Pacific Northwest). My chipped F350 even downshifted depending on conditions. I haven't tried driving with steptronic engaged, but I'll give it a try and see.

[Tags]

We're getting a hitch fitted to our 3.0ltr X5 this week in preparation for a trip away this weekend towing our Malibu Sportster skiboat. It will be the first time with towed with it so i'll be sure to do a write upon our return.

From what i'm hearing i should be towing in sports mode and changing gears manually everytime? Or am i wrong?

Mike

[JCL]

There is no reason to use sports mode. I used the standard Steptronic mode, except when the X5 hunted between two gears on a grade. In those cases, I shifted it manually so it would hold the gear. I also used the manual mode when descending, so as to provide engine braking on a long descent.

A point to keep in mind is that it isn't just about what gear you are in, it is also about whether the torque converter is in lock-up or not. When it is locked up, there is far less heat generated. You want to select gears such that you keep it locked up (it will unlock at a certain speed as you lose speed on a hill, and it feels like a shift).

I continue to think that the X5 is an excellent tow vehicle, but a large part of that opinion is related to the stability of the combination of the truck and trailer. It simply isn't going to drive the same as without the trailer, due to the added weight. It may be that those who have spent a lot of time towing know that instinctively, I am not sure. Just because it tows very well (IMO) does not mean that it accelerates and stops the same as when the trailer isn't there.

[militantman]

I have to agree what most are saying. The manners of the X5 while towing is great as far as steering, aceleration, braking, stability and overall towing manners. Just don't think the backshifting is all that great as I would think this causes a bit more wear and tear as well as I think it would cause a bit more heat in the trans as well.. Just my opinion that the X5 backshifts a little to early while towing and easily could pull most grades without backshifting in my opinion. Thanx much for the replies and hope to get more opinions...

[roadfrog]

Yes, CONSTANT backshifting should be avoided. Anytime a tranny consistently upshifts and downshifts - such as when towing up long grades, one should shift into a lower gear (or out of OD). This is a normal procedure in any vehicle in order to keep the trans happy. My towing monster (02 f350 chipped diesel) was no different. I would take it out of OD and ocassionally into a lower gear, to avoid excessive downshifts and upshifts....however, it would still pass just about anything on those grades pulling 9,000 lbs.