Towing Capacity X5 35i?

[ShadeD1]

I'm having trouble finding what the towing capacity of a X5 35i. I can't find it on BMW's site and the other sites I've seen range from 3000lbs to 6000lbs. I want to pull a spec miata (2200lbs) on an open trailer.

[kip1]

Originally Posted by ShadeD1

I'm having trouble finding what the towing capacity of a X5 35i. I can't find it on BMW's site and the other sites I've seen range from 3000lbs to 6000lbs. I want to pull a spec miata (2200lbs) on an open trailer.

I believe it is 3000kg (6600 lbs) standard and with the electronic hook or extra load capacity 3500kg (7700 lbs), thats in Europe, anyway.

[NPickles]

Originally Posted by kip1

I believe it is 3000kg (6600 lbs) standard and with the electronic hook or extra load capacity 3500kg (7700 lbs), thats in Europe, anyway.

That sounds right for UK & Europe but in the US you don't get a factory fit tow bar option and the max towing capacity is therefore governed by the towbar that is fitted.

To tow 2200lbs you need a towbar rated for that much, the vehicle itself can tow upto 7700lbs with the right towbar & configuraton.

[MattBianco]

If you tow, this may be a useful mirror extension is designed to connect to your existing mirror:

Original BMW product, part number: 51162354903

[Mathme]

6,000lbs in the us.

Don't get the BMW hitch. It's a neutered thing that will show. Go for an invisihitch and don't look back.

I towed for the first time today with my 35d. It's a towing machine. I was towing 5000lbs of boat.

[Hreind]

Has anyone set the hitch up with a load leveler and sway bars? I have the BMW factory Class III Hitch setup but there is no way I can tow a 5,000lb trailer with it. BMW dealer has been competely uselesss in helping me out.

[chiplee]

Originally Posted by Mathme

6,000lbs in the us.

Don't get the BMW hitch. It's a neutered thing that will show. Go for an invisihitch and don't look back.

I towed for the first time today with my 35d. It's a towing machine. I was towing 5000lbs of boat.

This is all exactly right. Invisihitch is amazing and 35i tows well, so I can't imagine how well the 35d tows with 33% more torque.

[iamthestig]

I have an Invisihitch and love it. I tow a 6000 lb travel trailer and have no problems with my 35i. It will accelerate with no problems over mountain passes and steep hills. It's really a great towing machine. I would say quite a bit better than the F-150 we just got rid of.

I also have rear air suspension. At first, I first tried using no weight distribution hitch as BMW recommends, but I decided to go against BMW and recently installed the Andersen No-Sway hitch. The difference is remarkable. Highly recommended. Made the whole unit feel as one. Much more stable on the freeway when being overtaken by semi trucks.

[andy_g]

Hi iamthestig,

You've been using Invisihitch with WDH for about 2.5 years now. Could you please share your thoughts now - any problems, anything?

I had Invisihitch for ~3 years, but was towing a not very big or heavy trailer, no need for WDH. But tomorrow will be picking up a 30" travel trailer, similar to your Lance.
BMW and Invisihitch (company) are strongly against WDH. I wonder - is there any actual ground under their negativity against WDH?

Thanks!

[bjcarls]

I had a 2012 with BMW hitch and have a 2016 with a Invisihitch. Frankly, the Invisihitch is much nicer looking but I do have some concerns with how the receiver mounts onto the hitch - vertically with a horizontal key. In addition, the receiver has been changed as one member here had theirs bend when pulling a boat out of the water.
My 50i has pulled well, hitch has been steady, hasn't shown wear but I do have continual concern as I'm close to 6,000 pounds. If the BMW hitch was cheaper or the same price I would probably get that.

^ iamthestig ^ looking good

[andy_g]

I have 2011 35d with Invisihitch. Heaviest trailer (cargo) I towed was about 9000lb with tongue weight around 950lb. It was WAAAAY over the limit, but I realized it too late - when I was already on the road. Trip was 4500km (2800ml), X5 was towing it amazingly well! Though, I would not do it again!
Nothing was bent, nothing damaged. Invisihitch survived it very well. As far as I understand it, Invisihitch is class IV, and on some stronger car it could have been rated up to 10,000lb.

Now, I am going to be towing trabel trailer of ~6000lb, but square area of sidewall is huge (possible sway). Thinking about WDH mostly for their No-Sway function. Andersen No-Sway hitch from iamthestig's post looks perfect!

Btw, about BMW hitch - isn't it rated much lower then Invisihitch? Only 5000lb at most? Not an option for me

(empty trailer on the photo: )

[djxilo]

I'd definitely recommend a WDH with integrated sway control if you plan on pulling a travel trailer over 6,000 lbs. Unfortunately, the Invisihitch is not compatible with a WDH system since the 2" receiver they provide is only rated up to 3,500 lbs. The ball-mount is rated up to 7,700 lbs but I am unaware of any WDH/anti-sway devices that will be compatible with the Invisihitch ball-mount.

If you plan on sticking with the Invishitch ball-mount, perhaps you could install two friction sway control bars to reduce sway? They're pretty inexpensive at ~$35/each.

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...ies/83660.html

Originally Posted by andy_g

I have 2011 35d with Invisihitch. Heaviest trailer (cargo) I towed was about 9000lb with tongue weight around 950lb. It was WAAAAY over the limit, but I realized it too late - when I was already on the road. Trip was 4500km (2800ml), X5 was towing it amazingly well! Though, I would not do it again!
Nothing was bent, nothing damaged. Invisihitch survived it very well. As far as I understand it, Invisihitch is class IV, and on some stronger car it could have been rated up to 10,000lb.

Now, I am going to be towing trabel trailer of ~6000lb, but square area of sidewall is huge (possible sway). Thinking about WDH mostly for their No-Sway function. Andersen No-Sway hitch from iamthestig's post looks perfect!

Btw, about BMW hitch - isn't it rated much lower then Invisihitch? Only 5000lb at most? Not an option for me

(empty trailer on the photo: )

[andy_g]

Originally Posted by djxilo

I'd definitely recommend a WDH with integrated sway control if you plan on pulling a travel trailer over 6,000 lbs. Unfortunately, the Invisihitch is not compatible with a WDH system since the 2" receiver they provide is only rated up to 3,500 lbs. The ball-mount is rated up to 7,700 lbs but I am unaware of any WDH/anti-sway devices that will be compatible with the Invisihitch ball-mount.

If you plan on sticking with the Invishitch ball-mount, perhaps you could install two friction sway control bars to reduce sway? They're pretty inexpensive at ~$35/each.

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...ies/83660.html

This matter (rated weights) is complicated. Mostly because it is clouded by politics and fear of retaliation from BMW...

If we look at both - ball mount and receiver, they both engineered exactly the same way. Vertical part/pin which connects to the hitch - it id the same part in both - mount and receiver. Welding is exactly the same. Only the . horizontal bar is different. Solid but thinner bar in ball mount and hollow tube in receiver.
As per some sources, their rating is exactly the same.

There is one thing strongly advised - to not use a simple cross pin to secure the WDH into receiver. Every bit of forward/aft play must be eliminated.

Now, the question is - how to do it?! Very tight-fitting bolt & nut or an expandable-diameter cross pin? So far after 3 days of searching, I could not find a proper pin. There are some, but they don't induce confidence, and are suited better for bike racks, nut for a 7000 lb trailer

Oh, and I just brought home my new travel trailer
Now, I REALLY need to think hard about WDH:

[bono]

Good to see that others are also towing proper trailers with BMW X5. I am towing Jayco 28DSBH (33 feet long). The last time I went to CAT scale, it was 7,300 lbs, but usually it is 100-300 lbs less. I am using ProPride hitch, which eliminates sway (eliminates and not only manages as usual hitches). It's been over 8,000 towing miles already, including Rockies, Sierras, etc. BMW X5 tows like champ.

[Whazzup@NJ]

Originally Posted by chiplee

This is all exactly right. Invisihitch is amazing and 35i tows well, so I can't imagine how well the 35d tows with 33% more torque.

For those who have the Invisihitch, where do you have it installed if there are no approved installers nearby?

[bono]

Installing a hitch on X5 is so easy that any hitch shop should be able to do this. Invisihitch is not any special.

[Zamorskii]

I installed a $200 Draw-Tite hitch and pulled a 2009 328xi coupe on a flat U-Haul trailer with no problem. Your Miata shouldn't be a thing at all.