BMW 5 Series

[Johnlfc132]

So I have currently been looking at tow car options for a Swift 560l which has a MTPL of 1660kg.

the car has a kerb weight of 1785kg so using the 85% calculation it says 1517 so I couldn’t tow that as caravan is heavier. The car states it can Tow 2000kg though so am I missing something?

Thanks
John

 

[otherclive]

The 85% is a guide not a rule. The cars specification clearly states its towing legal capability. The 85 is there to guide new caravanners but so many other things affect a safe tow. But I would never exceed 100% with a caravan as they aren’t perfect trailers

 

[Johnlfc132]

I can now see it’s is a heavily debated topic and one I can understand. Loading the car will increase weight distribution anyway. Caravan at 1660 with car at 1785 plus 2000 tow capacity im sure I could manage. C+E qualified

 

[GaryB]

Excellent tow cars, I used a 2016 BMW 520D to tow a 2018 twin axle Sprite Quattro EB all over the country (and also a laden twin axle car trailer). My only comments are:

1. The 8 speed gearbox is brilliant, never hesitating and always in the "right" gear,
2. The BMW fold away tow bar doesn't have the live feed for the fridge/battery charging - never bothered us.
3. I THINK a retro fit (non-factory) tow bar requires an upgraded cooling fan.
4. The rear suspension can be a bit soft, loading to the maximum noseweight can give a bum-down stance.
5. Rock steady handling and the factory quoted kerb weight is for a car in minimum spec, from memory the actual (weighed) kerb weight of mine was around 1830kgs.

 

[littlebasher]

Just something to consider - some caravan insurers specify that you cannot exceed 100% of the cars kerb weight in their T&C's.

In your case John, i wouldn't bat an eyelid towing a caravan with MTPLM of 1660kg with a car that weighs 1785kg

 

[Johnlfc132]

Cheers for all the replies guys much appreciated and puts my mind at rest

 

[GaryB]

I don't think you'll be disappointed, I never was and would consider another 5 series as a tow car at any time, although mine had a few reliability issues but as it was a company car it didn't bother me too much. My twin axle had an MTPLM of 1624kgs and we towed it up & down the country with the BMW without a sniff of any handling issues.

 

[ProfJohnL]

C+E qualified

Category C does not apply to your proposed outfit as both the tow vehicle and the trailers have MAM's are less than 3500kg each.

The correct Category is B and B+e, which since a recent government change to the categories every pass of the basic licence now included "Be" even if its not shown on your licence.

If in doubt check with the DVSA

 

[otherclive]

I can now see it’s is a heavily debated topic and one I can understand. Loading the car will increase weight distribution anyway. Caravan at 1660 with car at 1785 plus 2000 tow capacity im sure I could manage. C+E qualified

Try looking at the matching site Towcar.info I’ve always found it a pretty good predictor, and it allows you to be flexible on things like payload, noseweight,cars weight inc luggage etc. Although as a previous post has said it looks a good match anyway and he has experience of the recent five series too as a tow car.

 

[Johnlfc132]

Category C does not apply to your proposed outfit as both the tow vehicle and the trailers have MAM's are less than 3500kg each.

The correct Category is B and B+e, which since a recent government change to the categories every pass of the basic licence now included "Be" even if its not shown on your licence.

If in doubt check with the DVSA

I understood the licence categories it was more for offering confidence as a driver with a load / larger size being an issue if closer to weights
Cheers
John

 

[RogerL]

I understood the licence categories it was more for offering confidence as a driver with a load / larger size being an issue if closer to weights
Cheers
John

If you have CE, that implies you've gained the +E by passing a towing test rather than "grandfather rights" - if that's the case, you're in a good position to cope just fime with your Towing Ratio.

 

[Hutch]

If you have CE, that implies you've gained the +E by passing a towing test rather than "grandfather rights" - if that's the case, you're in a good position to cope just fime with your Towing Ratio.

I had C+E as grandfather rights, but that was removed last year, when I hit 70 years old.
Edit, It was C1E as grandfather rights. .

 

[Gafferbill]

Category C does not apply to your proposed outfit as both the tow vehicle and the trailers have MAM's are less than 3500kg each.

The correct Category is B and B+e, which since a recent government change to the categories every pass of the basic licence now included "Be" even if its not shown on your licence.

If in doubt check with the DVSA

......you cannot hold a C licence or a C+E licence without holding a B licence first.

Hutch .... I think you are referring to a C1 licence being removed at 70 since C licences come with stricter medical requirements.

 

[RogerL]

I had C+E as grandfather rights, but that was removed last year, when I hit 70 years old.

I thought we had C1E grandfather rights, not CE.

 

[otherclive]

My licence tells me what categories of vehicle I can drive. It’s all there.

 

[RogerL]

My licence tells me what categories of vehicle I can drive. It’s all there.

Hutch and I lost groups at age 70 so they're no longer on our present licence - we were both referring to groups we used to have.

 

[Hutch]

I have edited my post it was C1E licence prior to age 70