Towing boat with X5

louis10 · 02-17-2013, 11:13 PM

Hi everyone, I looking for comments
I am thinking of buying a used X5 2006 to draw my boat (5500 pounds B & T).
The X5 is rated to pull 6000 pounds but the commercial hitches that I saw (class III) are rated 5000 pounds.

Would you know if the BMW Hitch part 71600009711 will allow me to draw up to the specified capability of the SUV.

What about the life of the transmission?

Any comment welcome. THANKS

MCM97 · 02-17-2013, 11:37 PM

I had mine replaced under cpo warranty at 96k. You'll find the tranies are made by GM and not very stout

Andy2108 · 02-18-2013, 01:31 AM

I wouldn't worry about the extra 500 pounds that isn't technically considered class III. The next class, Class IV, is rated for 10,000 pounds. BMW probably didn't want to deal with that on the X5.

The hitch for the car should work for whatever the car is rated to tow.

I wouldn't worry too much about the life of the transmission. A 2500 chevy might be a more reliable vehicle to tow with in the long term, but I somehow kind of doubt that you're cross shopping an x5 with a pick up truck. Change the automatic transmission fluid when you get the car and be happy. If you have to replace the transmission it really won't be the end of the world if you get a cheap used one and have an indy install it. The main failure on the GM transmissions have been a loss of reverse, but if I'm not mistaken the actual failure is just a solenoid and its replacement has been covered many times.

What is the tongue weight of your trailer? That's just as, if not more, important than the total weight.

WDE46 · 02-18-2013, 06:09 AM

I'm sure the X5 V8 version does not use the same transmission our cars use. GM makes great transmissions for trucks and whatnot, so I wouldn't be too concerned. Who knows if the X5 V8 is even a GM transmission though? Towing 5000 lbs with an X5 isn't going to be any fun at all though. I towed about the same with a 5.3L Chevy Tahoe. You'll get about 4 mpg haha.

louis10 · 02-18-2013, 08:00 AM

I estimate tongue weight to be 250 -500 lbs.

I use to tow the boat with a ford 150 5.4l triton and it would use as much gas as the boat!

Thanks you all for the comments. Louis

02-17-2013, 11:13 PM	#1
louis10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: canada Posts: 2 My Ride: 330xi 2002 370000 Km View My Garage	Towing boat with X5 Hi everyone, I looking for comments I am thinking of buying a used X5 2006 to draw my boat (5500 pounds B & T). The X5 is rated to pull 6000 pounds but the commercial hitches that I saw (class III) are rated 5000 pounds. Would you know if the BMW Hitch part 71600009711 will allow me to draw up to the specified capability of the SUV. What about the life of the transmission? Any comment welcome. THANKS

02-18-2013, 01:31 AM	#3
Andy2108 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 7,801 My Ride: E46M3E92M3'67Cobra View My Garage	I wouldn't worry about the extra 500 pounds that isn't technically considered class III. The next class, Class IV, is rated for 10,000 pounds. BMW probably didn't want to deal with that on the X5. The hitch for the car should work for whatever the car is rated to tow. I wouldn't worry too much about the life of the transmission. A 2500 chevy might be a more reliable vehicle to tow with in the long term, but I somehow kind of doubt that you're cross shopping an x5 with a pick up truck. Change the automatic transmission fluid when you get the car and be happy. If you have to replace the transmission it really won't be the end of the world if you get a cheap used one and have an indy install it. The main failure on the GM transmissions have been a loss of reverse, but if I'm not mistaken the actual failure is just a solenoid and its replacement has been covered many times. What is the tongue weight of your trailer? That's just as, if not more, important than the total weight. Last edited by Andy2108; 02-18-2013 at 01:33 AM.

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02-17-2013, 11:37 PM	#2
MCM97 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 74 My Ride: 01 325Ci View My Garage	I had mine replaced under cpo warranty at 96k. You'll find the tranies are made by GM and not very stout

02-18-2013, 06:09 AM	#4
WDE46 Weagle Weagle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 3,615 My Ride: 2004 330Ci OBM View My Garage	I'm sure the X5 V8 version does not use the same transmission our cars use. GM makes great transmissions for trucks and whatnot, so I wouldn't be too concerned. Who knows if the X5 V8 is even a GM transmission though? Towing 5000 lbs with an X5 isn't going to be any fun at all though. I towed about the same with a 5.3L Chevy Tahoe. You'll get about 4 mpg haha.

02-18-2013, 08:00 AM	#5
louis10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: canada Posts: 2 My Ride: 330xi 2002 370000 Km View My Garage	I estimate tongue weight to be 250 -500 lbs. I use to tow the boat with a ford 150 5.4l triton and it would use as much gas as the boat! Thanks you all for the comments. Louis