Towing a 22' Cruiser with a BMW X5, V6?

D

Doc Tfrog

New member
Greetings! This is my first post on C-Brats and after much research am excited to soon be the owner of a 22' Cruiser.

The towing vehicle in question is a BMW, X5, V6, 3.0 liter, and it is rated for 6,000. Majority of towing will be fairly flat, but an occasional trip over the pass may be in the cards.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Theresa (Doc Treefrog)
 
If it's rated for 6000#, you'll be fine. Many of us have towed 22's with SUV's rated at 5000#. Our first tow vehicle was an Isuzu Trooper and it towed the 22 w/o a problem. I did wind up having some air shocks added to the rear end to help support the tongue weight but other than that, no issues at all.
 
I weighed my C22 and trailer several times, always with topped off fuel and water but not much else and never hit 4500 lbs. Tandem trailer too. Towed it with a V6 Toyota 4Runner, a beast Silverado Duramax, and our V10 RV. I knew the boat was there with the Toy but it was totally controllable and definitely capable of doing the job with it's 5,000 lb. rating. Unlike the WA tandem owners who must have brakes on both axles, I only had disc brakes on one axle and never felt uncomfortable.

Don
 
My Honda Ridgeline (V6 w/ 5000 lb rating) does a great job with my 22. I had a 2000 mi roundtrip to Lake Powell last month. There were numerous 6000 ft + passes and I still averaged
just over 12 mpg. Though you have a shorter wheelbase, your BMW should do just fine.

John
 
It shouldn't be a problem. Some people on here use Honda Pilots (3500lbs, 4500 lbs for boats) or minivans and don't seem to have any problems. The BMW straight 6 is a strong engine and while you won't win any drag races power should be sufficient. BMW brakes are some of the best in the business and shouldn't have trouble slowing you down and I doubt overheating would be an issue unless you are riding the brakes. Do you have a manual or auto? If you have an auto be mindful of gear hunting and transmission temperatures, BMW service work isn't cheap!
 
We towed our 22 with a Honda Pilot (capacity as noted above)--with no problems on Western Mountains.

The only question I would have, is that since the rig will need brakes of some sort on the trailer--most likely surge brakes, you will need to add the 5th pin, which locks out the brakes when backing--or you can put a pin in the frame of the trailer, or clamp to disable the surge brakes on backing. (not as convient as the lock out selenoid)--the selenoid is usually wired to the brake lite circuit. I understand the the 6x has a 4 pin connector hook up already provided--and you might want to see if there is a separate fuse circuit for trailer lights, as on many vehicles.
 
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