Bmw towing

[john_374419571]

Hi ,have a clubman SI, anyone out there tow with a BMW X1 or X3 ...2.0 litre diesel
Any information
Seen review on X3 but no X1 only written
Thanks

 

[Jcloughie]

Hi John. And welcome.

I don’t know to be honest, but I think I have read good reviews of the X3. But I have heard, (though could be wrong), that the X1 is based on the mini platform. Would not tow a 1500 kg van with a mini.

John

 

[Raywood]

I agree with JC;oughie, I have not towed with the X1, but my daughter had one and it was simply too light for towing anything the size and weight of the Clubman. I think there are no towing reviews as the press do not consider it as a serious tow car.

 

[Woodentop]

The X1 is based on the 1 series chassis which is sort of similar to a Golf, so that is your starting point.

 

[Tintentman]

I had an X1 2.5D and whilst it was more than powerful enough for towing, it had a 80kg limit on the hitch which was a bit difficult to always meet. Never felt it it was stable and that the car or I was in total control even with the 85% rule being met.
I changed to a X3 2.0D with slightly lower power and torque over the X1. It’s equipped with the electrically deployed tow hitch which I believe to be a Westfalia unit factory fitted. Hitch loading can be now up to 100kg which helps but again I don’t feel it’s the best of towing vehicles. Had a frightening experience going down the A303 when for no apparent reason it started to snake. Took some time to correct, it felt like a lifetime at the time, but luckily it hasn’t happened since. Speed at the time was approx 55mph, no gusty wind, no other traffic like large lorries etc to promote the start of a snake, Van correctly loaded, tyre pressures both caravan and car checked prior to leaving home and again when we arrived at the Wiltshire site.
The car when towing never seems “fully planted” and I’m always driving suspecting the same to happen again.
Been towing for 20 years so pretty much used to things by now - if I had to recommend the best I’ve had to tow with its was my LR Freelander 2.2 D.
Totally rock steady almost as of the car and caravan where one unit - I would love my X3 to feel like that.

would love to hear of any body else’s experiences

 

[Bessacarr Bob]

Hi ,have a clubman SI, anyone out there tow with a BMW X1 or X3 ...2.0 litre diesel
Any information
Seen review on X3 but no X1 only written
Thanks

I suggest you either talk to the Caravan & Motorhome Club or look for the towing specs on the car. Most BMW dealerships will be glad to help. Ask for their product "Genius". I've towed for a long time with an X5. You may want to know that BMW's are not generally fitted with the electrical cable/terminal in the towing electrics to power the caravan fridge whilst towing. I think it's because continental caravan fridges are powered by gas. However, the wire can be fitted relatively simply by an auto electrician. If you are anywhere near the Fylde Coast, North West Towing in Warton have fitted the cable to my cars before.

 

[otherclive]

I had an X1 2.5D and whilst it was more than powerful enough for towing, it had a 80kg limit on the hitch which was a bit difficult to always meet. Never felt it it was stable and that the car or I was in total control even with the 85% rule being met.
I changed to a X3 2.0D with slightly lower power and torque over the X1. It’s equipped with the electrically deployed tow hitch which I believe to be a Westfalia unit factory fitted. Hitch loading can be now up to 100kg which helps but again I don’t feel it’s the best of towing vehicles. Had a frightening experience going down the A303 when for no apparent reason it started to snake. Took some time to correct, it felt like a lifetime at the time, but luckily it hasn’t happened since. Speed at the time was approx 55mph, no gusty wind, no other traffic like large lorries etc to promote the start of a snake, Van correctly loaded, tyre pressures both caravan and car checked prior to leaving home and again when we arrived at the Wiltshire site.
The car when towing never seems “fully planted” and I’m always driving suspecting the same to happen again.
Been towing for 20 years so pretty much used to things by now - if I had to recommend the best I’ve had to tow with its was my LR Freelander 2.2 D.
Totally rock steady almost as of the car and caravan where one unit - I would love my X3 to feel like that.

would love to hear of any body else’s experiences

Strange that your X3 doesn’t give you confidence, , what caravan do you tow?

 

[JezzerB]

This is odd; since we towed in total confidence with a Dacia Duster with 1450kg at 113% , and even had it airborne as you all know, with rock solid landing. The BMW should be far better. Wonder if shock absorbers were at fault or the tyres weren't right?

 

[Tintentman]

Thanks so far for your input, in answering this- my current caravan is a 2020 Coachman 460/2 weighing in at 1430kg although it’s plated at 1500kg to cover the Powrtouch mover etc.
Previous van, that snaked, was a Swift Conqueror 480 with a MTPLM of 1480kg. Even adding the mover to this is still sat well within the 85% guideline. The X3 kerb weight is 1825kg.

re the X3’s suspension and tyres - the suspension is the “Adaptable” version which can be set in comfort or sport modes. I now set to sport as it stiffens the setup which I think helps. Tyres are run flats so they have far stiffer sidewalls to normal tyres which in my opinion should aid stability. The caravan is always loaded correctly, my wife gets a bit iffy as I always insist as much load is down at floor level and not left in top lockers and caravan build allowing, on or in front of the axle.

 

[JezzerB]

I agree totally with you TinTent; you'd have thought sport plus runflats would aid stability greatly -as you say very strong sidewalls . Maybe just goes to show what has previously been said. Not all outfits behave the same way and the 85% thing is really a baseline and absolutely no guarantee of stability. Very strange I have to say. We didn't even have ATC on our Pegasus we towed with the Duster. Do you have it and can you feel it working?

 

[Tintentman]

Yes the caravan has the ATC fitted and I know it works as when we leave home most of our outward journeys takes us along a road that has an undulating surface such the caravan doesn’t sway side to side like snaking, but it causes the caravan to pitch side to side slightly . The ATC always cuts in and because it’s on a slight upward gradient, you really feel the caravan braking being applied.

I saw ALKO’s ATC at a caravan show, then Earls Court, as it first developed and introduced into the caravan world. From memory the actual detector part was simply a glass tube slightly bowed downwards in which some mercury sat. Connected to the glass tube were three electrodes, one central the other two towards the outer ends of the glass tubes. The design was such that any sway of the caravan would cause the mercury to move side to side and by doing so electrically short out the electrodes centre to left or right or vice versa.
There was some electronics involved which I gather was to possibly count the “switching” before applying the brakes thus avoid single occurrences such as hitting a pot hole or similar starting the braking process. Whilst as I mentioned, ours works certain times I am not sure the mercury/glass tube detector is capable of detecting what could be less severe snaking or sway. I’m not belittling the ALKO product but it’s something I think needs further evidence?

The X3 has built in ATC which I understand is designed to help such situations. I have yet to fully explore how this works, but my thoughts are that if it applies the cars brakes this could adversely affect the situation. My understanding of any snaking is to remove one’s foot from the accelerator and do not apply the brakes but steer the vehicle as carefully as possible until the problem self rights itself?

 

[Buckman]

The X3 has built in ATC which I understand is designed to help such situations. I have yet to fully explore how this works, but my thoughts are that if it applies the cars brakes this could adversely affect the situation. My understanding of any snaking is to remove one’s foot from the accelerator and do not apply the brakes but steer the vehicle as carefully as possible until the problem self rights itself?

The two ATC's could be working against one another which may be causing the issue?

 

[RogerL]

The X3 probably has Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with two maps, one for solo and one for towing - this is a lot more sophisticated than the basic ATC fitted to caravans - the two systems work independently and don't conflict.

 

[otherclive]

Yes the caravan has the ATC fitted and I know it works as when we leave home most of our outward journeys takes us along a road that has an undulating surface such the caravan doesn’t sway side to side like snaking, but it causes the caravan to pitch side to side slightly . The ATC always cuts in and because it’s on a slight upward gradient, you really feel the caravan braking being applied.

I saw ALKO’s ATC at a caravan show, then Earls Court, as it first developed and introduced into the caravan world. From memory the actual detector part was simply a glass tube slightly bowed downwards in which some mercury sat. Connected to the glass tube were three electrodes, one central the other two towards the outer ends of the glass tubes. The design was such that any sway of the caravan would cause the mercury to move side to side and by doing so electrically short out the electrodes centre to left or right or vice versa.
There was some electronics involved which I gather was to possibly count the “switching” before applying the brakes thus avoid single occurrences such as hitting a pot hole or similar starting the braking process. Whilst as I mentioned, ours works certain times I am not sure the mercury/glass tube detector is capable of detecting what could be less severe snaking or sway. I’m not belittling the ALKO product but it’s something I think needs further evidence?

The X3 has built in ATC which I understand is designed to help such situations. I have yet to fully explore how this works, but my thoughts are that if it applies the cars brakes this could adversely affect the situation. My understanding of any snaking is to remove one’s foot from the accelerator and do not apply the brakes but steer the vehicle as carefully as possible until the problem self rights itself?

Yes easing off is the way to tackle a snake along with steering control.