Anybody tow a 230 with a...

[funkster]

BMW X5 xdrive35d? I currently have a 2013 Chevy Suburban LTZ as my tow vehicle and my wife’s daily driver. We’re looking for something to get a little better gas mileage since we’re doing over $100 in gas a week. My son has a 09’ BMW X5 4.4 and it tows our 210 very nicely(I feel in most cases better than the suburban). I would like to upgrade to a 230 soon and was wondering if anyone uses the V6 35 diesel to get first hand knowledge if the advertised tow rating is anything close to accurate. The 23/31 fuel rating is very intriguing to me since I’m averaging about 12 MPG. Any feedback is much appreciated!


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[Laptom]

We had de 3.0 diesel X5. Towed our 230 without issues for allot of miles. It had the upgraded tow package (7700), the transmission cooler and air ride.
Was very stable and excellent braking performance.
Gas mileage was ok, don't know it exactly so it was not bad for sure .

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[Nautiquehunter]

X5 is a pretty short wheel base . The biggest problem with tow vehicles isn't moving forward . Its steering and stopping especially when a quick maneuver or stop is needed . I would keep the Suburban as a tow pig and use the BMW for a daily driver.

[ST3]

Anything gained in fuel economy (and rider comfort=the X5 is an amazing vehicle) will be offset by other factors including your stress levels of having that shorter wheel base. Also the overall operating costs of the X5 even with fuel included will exceed that of a Suburban over a 3-5 yr period. I’ve towed with both and if given a choice would go with the suburban or a 3/4 ton pickup every time for my 250mile tow.


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[shag]

This horse has been beat to death across the internet... WILL it tow it? probably yes. How safe you feel is up to you. That boat with a tank of fuel is close to 5K.... Add in extras and trailer and I would bet you are very close to the 7700.... As others have said, getting going isn't the issue - stopping and control in a panic maneuver is... Good luck with the choice and be safe.

[WakeThisWay]

We tow great with a Porsche Cayenne diesel with a tow package. It’s a beast and our trailer has it’s own hydraulic brakes. I just love watching the shocked faces of the giant truck towers as we calmly, smoothly and with little effort drag our 2018 210 out of the water at the ramp. Our old Chevy 1500 NEVER towed this well.


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[srock]

We tow great with a Porsche Cayenne diesel with a tow package. It’s a beast and our trailer has it’s own hydraulic brakes. I just love watching the shocked faces of the giant truck towers as we calmly, smoothly and with little effort drag our 2018 210 out of the water at the ramp. Our old Chevy 1500 NEVER towed this well.


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It's about traction and your vehicle is excellent at delivering power to the correct wheel...so you can sneak off to the repair garage. (yea it's a cheap shot) That being said, a 210 is not that big of a load. Most of those big trucks also have large weight distributing tires which are awful performing in places like ramps, snow, rain but they sure are nice for puling over long highway tows.

[funkster]

Thanks for the feedback. I do agree a fully loaded 210 isn’t an issue of concern. I’ve pulled ours with my sons X5 all over Washington state including the mountain passes to get to the Columbia River. Like I said, I believe the X5 tows it better than my suburban. Only problem I’ve ever encountered with the X5 is backing down very steep reservoirs ramps when they’re already wet. You get a little tire slippage. I am a little concerned towing with a X5 with a fully loaded 230 since it’s pushing the tow rating limits and is why I was trying to get some first hand opinions. My usual weekly day trips average 25 miles(mostly flat) one way to 2 miles one way (all flat) depending on which lake I go to. I take about 4 trips a summer over the mountains to the river and is really my only concern. However, most of those trips I would be towing with my motorhome anyways. Again, thanks for the feed back and keep it coming.


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[jjackkrash]

My main tow vehicle is a DRW diesel so I am a little spoiled; but we tow our boat with my wife's ML400 and I've towed boats with a Q7 and an X5 owned by relatives. I personally think the German SUV's are pretty impressive tow vehicles for what the are (even with the short wheel base). If you are under weight on the stated tow-capacity rating, the hitch carry-weight rating, and payload rating, considering tongue weight and all passenger and gear, I would not be that concerned about safety. The back of my mind would be thinking about the wear on the tranny and other parts and the cost of repairs towing near max with corresponding German-repair prices, however (depending on how frequently you tow near max capacity).

[jjackkrash]

I am a little concerned towing with a X5 with a fully loaded 230 since it’s pushing the tow rating limits and is why I was trying to get some first hand opinions.

When in doubt I would personally want to weigh the boat and trailer loaded including tongue weight to make sure you were not a lot heavier than you think; they are pretty much always heavier than you think.

[funkster]

I agree, my problem is I don’t physically have a 230 yet so actually weighing the boat is basically impossible. I’m just making educated guesses. I think the numbers that shag posted sound accurate to me and why I’m a bit concerned. On the flip side, in Washington we only have about 3-4 months of good water weather, and my regular lakes are fairly close and the roads to get to them are pretty flat and the gas I could save the rest of the year would be significant.


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[funkster]

I agree, my problem is I don’t physically have a 230 yet so actually weighing the boat is basically impossible. I’m just making educated guesses. I think the numbers that shag posted sound accurate to me and why I’m a bit concerned. On the flip side, in Washington we only have about 3-4 months of good water weather, and my regular lakes are fairly close and the roads to get to them are pretty flat and the gas I could save the rest of the year would be significant.


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[shag]

You may be just fine... What I get concerned with is the other idiots on the road. You can not plan for every instance but when the a-hole on the phone cuts you off or swerves in front of you and slams on the breaks because he has to get off at this exit, and you have to make a panic maneuver, this is where a substantial tow vehicle pays you back for the extra fuel... I am not trying to say I know everything, but about 30 years with a CDL A, Working busy fire/EMS - I have seen a lot.... Including larger boats towed by a smaller vehicle (probably near the manufacturer limits - which I think they push sometimes) that didn't fare so well in an accident.... I have towed lots of different trailers with a lot of different vehicles from a lawn trailer all the way up to oversize loads and IMO, it pays to go a little overboard on the tow platform. I have also heard of a case here or there where the insurance companies actually have gotten the total weight of the trailer boat and vehicle to see if there was any over weight...

If it was just an occasional weekend jaunt across town to the lake I might not think as much about it, but if I'm going highways especially with any grade differences - Im going bigger.
Best of luck with your decision, be safe

[jjackkrash]

[QUOTE=shag;n588185] it pays to go a little overboard on the tow platform.
[QUOTE]

My trucks just keep getting bigger and bigger and I have never once regretted the move up. The flip side is, if you are pushing too heavy occasionally and don't tow often, the next biggest risk reducer is reduced speed. Having the discipline to slow down when you are heavy can make up some for a lessor tow platform.

[funkster]

I agree, my problem is I don’t physically have a 230 yet so actually weighing the boat is basically impossible. I’m just making educated guesses at this point. I think the numbers that shag posted sound very accurate to me and why I’m a bit concerned. On the flip side, in Washington we only have about 3-4 months of good water weather, and my regular lakes are fairly close and the roads to get to them are pretty darn flat. I feel the gas I could save the rest of the year would be significant.


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