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      01-15-2018, 11:42 PM   #1
bluephobic(1)
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Exclamation Massive X5 35D Off Road/Tow rig build...with pics ;)

Good Evening everyone. I will be using this thread as a means to document my build of my 2015 X5 35d. I routinely tow a 24' trailor with a car inside it or my own personal fun car. Here are the outlines of the build. This is long I will try to answer anyones questions and respond to this thread a few times a week. THanks for reading. Cheers!

Enhancing the X5's Towing abilities.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (before anyone on here flips out about this that hasn't done thier homework the F15 X5 35d is rated for 3500KG or 7700#'s row but only 6K# here. Not like there were massive changes in suspension or design of the vehicle beetween our US spec and the rest of the worlds. I'm assuming BMW doesn't trust us Mericans to not drive like dicks with a load lol I assure you with proper setup and equipment this is a safe weight your X5 can move with.


Trailor---------------done

ATC 24' Raven with upgraded torsion axles 3277# empty
10K weight distribution hitch and sway control
Prodigy RF wireless trailor brake controller.

X5 Towing setup-----------------done

Curt Hitch-Note that there really isn't a place to put the electrical connections for this hitch. I am working on a solution to that now currently 3d printing some prototypes that will later be made from stainless steel.

Suspension--------------In development

Currently Fabbing up a 1.75" body lift that will give us more clearance for larger wheels/tires. This will not affect susp travel or the self leveling rear air susp. because of the wider wheels/tires wont make the X5 unstable.

Wheels/Tires---------------In development
Forgeline is a partner for this build and will be making me some custom 1 piece forged wheels that are not only much lighter than stock but also much stronger.
These will work around the front suspension wheel carrier to run a much larger setup. 20X10F 20X11R 285/50/20 and 305/50/20 Michelin tires

Performance----------------In development
We are designing a DPF delete pipe and then will be tuning. Nothing to crazy just 50-70 hp and 100-120# TQ the alphabet soup delete for me has more to do with EGT's and reliability. Additionally we are adding a trans cooler to help us with wear and tear. Kooks Exotics will be fabbing up a custom exhaust for us tips may pass through the rear steel bumper, haven't decided yet.

Exterior additions and deletions------------------in various stages
Ok so the factory running boards have to go. We will be looking into retractables in the near future once the X5 is higher but for now I find them annoying. anyone want to trade for normal side skirts?
-All the lower parts of the front bumper as well as side skirts will be LineX'd this is for as much function as it is for looks.
-Front center skid plate is steel and then LineX'd
-Rear bumper with integrated D rings and backup lights is custom and made of steel. We are in the cad phases with this and will serve to tie the rear frame rails together nicely reinforcing the pull points where the hitch attaches too.
-The LED floodlight on the roof is custom as well and we are designing the housing in cad right now and will be 3d printing the mounting brackets and housing soon for test fit.
-Black kidney grills will be LineX'd
-X5M fender flares are already here and will be LineX'd soon with a bunch of other stuff.
-Exterior satin aluminum trim and roof rails will be removed and Powder Coated/ LineX'd satin black.
-Mud flaps will be manufactured to be functional

Interior--------------
Yall will just have to wait
Attached Images
     
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P13 570GT MSO Volcano Red over saddle tan
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      01-16-2018, 01:50 AM   #2
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I have no doubts 35d can easily do that. ZF8 transmission and transfer case are very capable as well. I'm just not sure about extra cooling maybe? Also intersting to know if there are any sway control systems to help with stability on highway?
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      01-16-2018, 02:26 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by DuSh View Post
I have no doubts 35d can easily do that. ZF8 transmission and transfer case are very capable as well. I'm just not sure about extra cooling maybe? Also intersting to know if there are any sway control systems to help with stability on highway?

The F15 gets coded for anti sway in it's stability control system, I use a 10K torsion load distribution style hitch with a mechanical brake sway control system. Tows very well.
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E82 135i Jet Black over coral red
E39 Dinan 540i manual Topaz blue over beige
F15 X5 35D Mineral white metallic over Mocha Nappa
991.1 911 GT3 Guards red over black alcantara
P13 570GT MSO Volcano Red over saddle tan
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      01-16-2018, 02:29 AM   #4
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interesting concept.
as for the towing, cooling will be your biggest issue. especially if you start towing up big hills or mountains.
how much will you be towing with a loaded car?
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      01-16-2018, 06:31 AM   #5
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What's your current suspensions setup (DHP, basic, air bags rear)?
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      01-16-2018, 08:28 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turboawd View Post
interesting concept.
as for the towing, cooling will be your biggest issue. especially if you start towing up big hills or mountains.
how much will you be towing with a loaded car?
I agree, The mild tuning and the emissions delete will take a lot of stress away from the engine. We are adding a controlled cooler to the trans. So far though towing loaded even through mountains at a steady 75mph X5 seems fine. we closely monitor everything while towing though and will be keen to identify any area that needs to be improved. Overall Shocked at how well the F15 pulls. even compared to an upgraded turbos E70 This pulls better.

Long distance tows are primarily my Mclaren, with 1/4 tank fuel in the car the trailor plus car plus a few small items comes out to around 6700# , Car only weighs 3227#
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P13 570GT MSO Volcano Red over saddle tan
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      01-16-2018, 08:31 AM   #7
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What's your current suspensions setup (DHP, basic, air bags rear)?
2VM DDC with rear axle air (3rd row) luxury spec car
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E82 135i Jet Black over coral red
E39 Dinan 540i manual Topaz blue over beige
F15 X5 35D Mineral white metallic over Mocha Nappa
991.1 911 GT3 Guards red over black alcantara
P13 570GT MSO Volcano Red over saddle tan
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      01-16-2018, 08:38 AM   #8
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Interesting to know (just out of curiosity) what is the limiting element in BMW load specs 7700lbs? Let's say we had 40d and 50d like in Europe - I'm sure they can easily tow even more than that, unless transmission is limiting factor?
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      01-16-2018, 08:54 AM   #9
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My guess would be - cooling. A fairly stock 2017 Porsche Cayenne recently towed the Airbus A380 which is about 790K+ lbs but for a very short distance. So just the hardware should be able to handle well over 7700 lbs.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DuSh View Post
Interesting to know (just out of curiosity) what is the limiting element in BMW load specs 7700lbs? Let's say we had 40d and 50d like in Europe - I'm sure they can easily tow even more than that, unless transmission is limiting factor?
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      01-16-2018, 09:05 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedoy View Post
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What's your current suspensions setup (DHP, basic, air bags rear)?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedoy View Post
My guess would be - cooling. A fairly stock 2017 Porsche Cayenne recently towed the Airbus A380 which is about 790K+ lbs but for a very short distance. So just the hardware should be able to handle well over 7700 lbs.
I agree the hardware is there but i'm pretty sure legally there has to be so much tire contact patch, rim width, Braking surface swept area, power to tow X amount of weight. yada yada Once everything's done I will test to see what I can actually safely tow.
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991.1 911 GT3 Guards red over black alcantara
P13 570GT MSO Volcano Red over saddle tan
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      01-16-2018, 09:15 AM   #11
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Are you planning to add extra cooling or at least monitor temperatures?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bluephobic(1) View Post
I agree the hardware is there but i'm pretty sure legally there has to be so much tire contact patch, rim width, Braking surface swept area, power to tow X amount of weight. yada yada Once everything's done I will test to see what I can actually safely tow.
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      01-16-2018, 09:25 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedoy View Post
Are you planning to add extra cooling or at least monitor temperatures?

All covered in the original post, everything is monitored while towing as well as not. The end goal is to get temps as close to just daily driver levels.
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E82 135i Jet Black over coral red
E39 Dinan 540i manual Topaz blue over beige
F15 X5 35D Mineral white metallic over Mocha Nappa
991.1 911 GT3 Guards red over black alcantara
P13 570GT MSO Volcano Red over saddle tan
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      01-16-2018, 09:46 AM   #13
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sorry missed it, good luck and keep us updated.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bluephobic(1) View Post
All covered in the original post, everything is monitored while towing as well as not. The end goal is to get temps as close to just daily driver levels.
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      11-12-2018, 03:59 PM   #14
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Is this build dead in the water? Updates?
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      11-12-2020, 05:58 PM   #15
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Great write up! love how the skid plate, skirts, and rear bumper make it look. Currently putting together a hitch setup for my F15 x35d and liked the print for the trailer connection. Care to share that .stl file for the wiring harness mount?
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      11-13-2020, 03:55 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluephobic(1) View Post
Good Evening everyone. I will be using this thread as a means to document my build of my 2015 X5 35d. I routinely tow a 24' trailor with a car inside it or my own personal fun car. Here are the outlines of the build. This is long I will try to answer anyones questions and respond to this thread a few times a week. THanks for reading. Cheers!

Enhancing the X5's Towing abilities.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (before anyone on here flips out about this that hasn't done thier homework the F15 X5 35d is rated for 3500KG or 7700#'s row but only 6K# here. Not like there were massive changes in suspension or design of the vehicle beetween our US spec and the rest of the worlds. I'm assuming BMW doesn't trust us Mericans to not drive like dicks with a load lol I assure you with proper setup and equipment this is a safe weight your X5 can move with.


Trailor---------------done

ATC 24' Raven with upgraded torsion axles 3277# empty
10K weight distribution hitch and sway control
Prodigy RF wireless trailor brake controller.

X5 Towing setup-----------------done

Curt Hitch-Note that there really isn't a place to put the electrical connections for this hitch. I am working on a solution to that now currently 3d printing some prototypes that will later be made from stainless steel.

Suspension--------------In development

Currently Fabbing up a 1.75" body lift that will give us more clearance for larger wheels/tires. This will not affect susp travel or the self leveling rear air susp. because of the wider wheels/tires wont make the X5 unstable.

Wheels/Tires---------------In development
Forgeline is a partner for this build and will be making me some custom 1 piece forged wheels that are not only much lighter than stock but also much stronger.
These will work around the front suspension wheel carrier to run a much larger setup. 20X10F 20X11R 285/50/20 and 305/50/20 Michelin tires

Performance----------------In development
We are designing a DPF delete pipe and then will be tuning. Nothing to crazy just 50-70 hp and 100-120# TQ the alphabet soup delete for me has more to do with EGT's and reliability. Additionally we are adding a trans cooler to help us with wear and tear. Kooks Exotics will be fabbing up a custom exhaust for us tips may pass through the rear steel bumper, haven't decided yet.

Exterior additions and deletions------------------in various stages
Ok so the factory running boards have to go. We will be looking into retractables in the near future once the X5 is higher but for now I find them annoying. anyone want to trade for normal side skirts?
-All the lower parts of the front bumper as well as side skirts will be LineX'd this is for as much function as it is for looks.
-Front center skid plate is steel and then LineX'd
-Rear bumper with integrated D rings and backup lights is custom and made of steel. We are in the cad phases with this and will serve to tie the rear frame rails together nicely reinforcing the pull points where the hitch attaches too.
-The LED floodlight on the roof is custom as well and we are designing the housing in cad right now and will be 3d printing the mounting brackets and housing soon for test fit.
-Black kidney grills will be LineX'd
-X5M fender flares are already here and will be LineX'd soon with a bunch of other stuff.
-Exterior satin aluminum trim and roof rails will be removed and Powder Coated/ LineX'd satin black.
-Mud flaps will be manufactured to be functional

Interior--------------
Yall will just have to wait
I think the Curt hitch is only rated for 6k lbs right. Is that just very conservative or did you do something to add more support?
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      04-01-2022, 11:09 PM   #17
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Where did this wind up?
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      04-02-2022, 10:06 AM   #18
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Where did this wind up?
Last Activity: 04-30-2018 01:15 PM
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      04-06-2022, 09:58 AM   #19
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SUB nice e15 rly
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      04-07-2022, 02:42 AM   #20
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OP has damn near the same car as me. Mineral on Mocha nappa, x-line spec. Rugged outside, luxury inside. Too bad about the updates...
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My wife would give me so much head if I did that.
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2015 X5 35D - 1990 535i [RIP] - 1992 318i Convertible - 2002 540i/6
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