Tow bar

[X6_40d_Nick]

I've just brought a tow-trust detachable swan neck on a certain Internet auction site, only just over £200.

I have ordered a universal 13 pin / bypass relay kit, as this was only £50

Local towbar workshop are happy to fit for £150 inc vat.

Question1: Does the car really need a dedicated wiring kit? (My Old Q7 had air suspension and it needed the dedicated module to lower and lock the rear ride height)
Question 2: I'll be towing a caravan circa 1800kg, would others recommend this 'uprated fan' thingy which increases the towing capacity to 3500kg from 2700kg?

By the way, I also had a quote for a dealer fit, £2200!!!!!!

[shadrack]

My x5 is fine with the universal bypass relay and my air suspension is also fine when towing, why. Go for the fan upgrade to 3500kg tow capacity if your towing 1800kg? Also are any bmws actually plated to tow 3.5t as even though people do it very few vehicles are actually rated to! Landrover rangerover, disco and defender are but none of the L200s etc are!

[X6_40d_Nick]

I was just concerned about the engine cooling, when towing my mpg drops by half, so the engine is obviously working harder. I had been told that the air vents on the front of the car close for improve aerodynamics, so does the car need to know theres a snail-shell behind it or would it (hopefully) see thats the engine is warmer than usual and open said vents? It was less about the towing capacity and more about this.

[X5Sport]

Air vents? Not seen any on my X6. Mine is all open at the front apart from the fog light grilles. The X5 E53 and LCI E70 have them. Unless because I have the factory towbar install means they were removed? The fan kit replaces the solid nearside front fog light grille with one with an open web and a fan and radiator go there.

The dedicated electrics module tells the car systems that there is a trailer installed. This alters the operation of the DSC to take the trailer into account. It might also do something with the rear parking sensors too and possibly make other alterations to the car's operation.

If the standard tow limit is 2.7T then unless you are going to be towing in very hot conditions the standard install would be fine. I used the Caravan Club advice of 'never exceed 85% of the tractor weight' as a guide and stuck to the standard limit. 1800kgs is still a pretty big caravan..

Is the towbar you have ordered rated at 2.7T? I've been caught before years ago when I bought a towbar that (once delivered) I discovered did not fit the OEM Hardpoints and was only rated at 500kgs and had some stupidly low nose weight limit. It went back and I bought one that did fit the standard mounts and had the right weight ratings from Witter (who made the OEM GM kits). I know the BMW OEM system is Westfalia - and you can get those well below dealer prices - and they do the electrics too.

[shadrack]

Just googled it and I can't get the link on my phone but a website of official manufactures tow capacity states the x6 at 2400kg and the x5 at 2700kg is says that although this is not legaly binding if you exceed this then have a bump into mr vosa or a bump at all that you are liable for unsafe use of a vehicle etc but basically a major ass f#*king!! So what would be the need for a 3.5t upgrade?

[X6_40d_Nick]

Tow trust bar is rated at 3500kgs with a nose weight of 140kg.

My V5C clearly states my X6 is rated at 2700kg braked. So guess it all adds up.

My old 325d M Sport touring pulled the caravan fine so guess I / we are worrying over issues that may not exist?

[X5Sport]

I think you'll be fine..

[X6_40d_Nick]

Thanks Bungie, will be in touch regards your cover plate.

[lezmtaylor]

I have a 2002 4.4 x5 with factory fit detachable tow bar and electrics, 11pin socket(Ithink),have bought a Coachman Pastiche 2 berth , on arrival at home found the car was not charging the caavan fridge and battery.
Had heard that not all car sockets were fully wired , so got a local chap in and he confirmed that was not fully wired.
Cost me £65 and now all systems work ok.
So, well pleased.
Lez

[wilkoturbo]

I just moved pin 11 / 13 to 9/ 10 fridge works fine.

[Cannondale]

The new kits for Westfalia are fully wired now.

My ATC , fridge and battery charging all work ok with nothing more that the standard kit.

I think they must have upgraded it.


Rich...