E70 X5 4.0d M TOWING CAPABILITY

[Turbotone]

Hi all.
I am considering purchasing a low mileage E70 X5 4.0d M which has the factory fitted option of detachable towbar (Westfalia) & so also has the “Towing capacity increased” build option fitted.

Will it be capable of towing a Brian James covered Race Transporter 6 race trailer, which may sometimes be loaded to its full gross capacity of 3,500kg. I am intending to travel to various UK and EU tracks as well as tow to Spain from time to time. I may also camp with the trailer in tow at campsites which could have muddy/slippery ground.

I have been informed that the “Towing capacity increased” package consists of additional transmission cooling. Does anybody know any additional information.
O:-)

[X5Sport]

It puts your max tow limit to 3.5T, and adds additional cooling into the front near side wing.  You're going to be running at well over 150% of the 'tractor' weight which is not ideal but OK with the right experience. 

R

[martin33100]

Also one thing that some people don't know, if you have past your driving test in 1997 or after you would have to take a trailer test to be able to drive with a combined weight of over 3.5T.
I towed my Westfield track car with my VW T5 T30 van or about 2 years before I found out I was breaking the law.

The regs:- , if you passed your test between January 1, 1997 and January 19, 2013 then these restrictions apply: Category B vehicles with larger trailers i.e. more than 750kg, provided that the combined Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the gross MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

[X5Sport]

And if used for 'hire or reward' or in connection with a business you also need a tachograph.  Private only use does not need such though.

I had to get tachos fitted to a number of Discoveries due to that little gem!

Richard

[martin33100]

I can' t even legally tow a caravan with our X5, the 3.0d has a permitted gross weight of 2755kg,  so this only allows me to tow 745kg giving me a total combined weight of 3.5T.

Anyone like me aged 34 or younger will have this problem unless you have done the B+E category.

[shadrack]

guess im fine with my c+e, loads of combinations will run at 150% of tractor weight unless you use something bigger, but then you will need a c1+e or a c+e oh the beauty of our system. also wont need a tacho if its for hire or reward but not part of your main business so a builder can do it without but a courier would ::)

[X5Sport]

My fleet had to be done in 2003/4 as we were towing mobile mast trailers that put us well over the 3.5T limit and none of ours was hire or reward.  We were fine until we lost 'Crown Immunity' but after that we even had to have an Operators Licence - and oh that bit was just such fun too!  NOT!

Perhaps common sense prevailed again later in the 'noughties' and the tacho rule was modded again?  It did seem daft at the time, as well as expensive.

R