Towing - What do you think?

[Panzer Captain]

I want to tow my E30 M3 behind my 530iT, on a proper dual-axle trailer (U-Haul rental).

The 530iT has the detachable Westphalia hitch in the bumper. It also has a 4.0 M60 V8 and 6spd tranny out of a '95 540.

The E30 M3 weighs approx 2700lbs. The trailer - I dunno - maybe 1000lbs?

Do you think this is do-able?

The hitch has a sticker on it that has a German all over that I don't understand, and then a couple numbers --- 1500kg, and 50kg and 75kg with a picture of the hitch and an arrow on it.

What do you think?

Thanks!

[Sam-Son]

how many lbs is 1625kg?

[shogun]

Write down the German instructions and I will translate it.
But basically no problem
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/361953/
Have you ever seen a Dutch car without a trailer? ;)
They evn put them on their beloved Porsche and Ferrari, just to pull their mobile home.
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/342470/
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/228389/

1,500 kg is most probably the max. load for the trailer axle, 50 or 75 kg is the load on the tow bar by the trailer bar.
See your owners manual, it is mentioned there. If not mentioned in a US manual, see on my website there is the 1988 owners manual for the E32 in U.K. version.
Kilogramm (kg): 1.500 = lbs. 3306
50 kg = 110 lbs
75 kg = 165 kg

[Panzer Captain]

1,500 kg is most probably the max. load for the trailer axle, 50 or 75 kg is the load on the tow bar by the trailer bar.

What do you mean? The most I can tow in total weight is 1500kg? If that's the case, I can't tow the E30 M3 + trailer.

[gale]

I'm sure it would work, but the problem you're going to run into is U-Haul most likely won't let you rent their trailer. They are very rigid about adhering to the tow/towed vehicle listings in their database regardless of hitch ratings.

[shogun]

The E30 M3 weighs approx 2700lbs. = 1225 kg

but you can load (if I understand correctly), excluding the weight of the trailer itself

Kilogramm (kg): 1.500 = lbs. 3306

So what is the problem?

Otherwise write down and post what is written there in German.

[Panzer Captain]

I'm sure it would work, but the problem you're going to run into is U-Haul most likely won't let you rent their trailer. They are very rigid about adhering to the tow/towed vehicle listings in their database regardless of hitch ratings.

Yeah, you're probably right. So, I'll have to lie to them :D - thanks to the ambulance-chasers, we've obviously litigated our country almost into oblivion.

[gale]

Yeah, you're probably right. So, I'll have to lie to them :D - thanks to the ambulance-chasers, we've obviously litigated our country almost into oblivion.

Exactly. They made me jump thru hoops to rent a tow dolly when I brought the Alfa Spider down from Colorado, behind a Land Cruiser.

[Elekta]

You can tow all fng day long, esp if you've already put the 4.0 in it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/DSCN8147a.jpg
Check this link (http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=102064&highlight=towing) with the pic of the sticker you have in the back.

I think you can tow up to 1900kg with the 4.0, which is more than enough for a 3 series and a decent trailer. I'm pretty sure the westphalia tow pamphlet you have in the back says 1600kg, but you have the 4.0 now.
http://www.willz.ca/images/DaytonavTechnoI27ontrailerand750iLcrop.jpg

let's see the new engine bay whydoncha?

[attack eagle]

the only fun part is that you need to make sure you have no more than 100-150 tongue weight... and make sure the trailer has functional electric brakes.

basically 1500kg total weight is probably the hitch rating.


I really don't like the idea of towing 3300 lbs with 150lbs tongue weight...

recommended tongue weight is 8-15% of total weight

that comes out to under 1900 lbs at 8% tongue weight and at 15% 1000 lbs


This is why my Touring has no hitch... 1000lbs on a trailer, or in the back.

[Panzer Captain]

the only fun part is that you need to make sure you have no more than 100-150 tongue weight... and make sure the trailer has functional electric brakes.

The brakes, fine - but the tongue weight, how do you do that?

[Elekta]

Yeah but you also deleted the LAD, which would air up pretty well enough to compensate for the weight, and what ever didn't you could adjust with the headlight adjusters.....clearly these beasts were meant to tow reasonable payloads

[attack eagle]

basically at 150 lbs? if you can't pick up the trailer, it' too damn heavy.

If you can, then you put a cheap scale under the foot pad... You'll pretty much have to cernter the car over the axles maybe just a foot or so forwards of true center.

[shogun]

that is the 50 respect. 75 kg you mentioned before.
Use baathroom scale.


http://www.etrailer.com/faq_trailertowtips.aspx
http://www.curtmfg.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentpieceid=1347
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/equipment/towing/towing.pdf
http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/trail/129_0707_weight_distributing_tow_hitch/index.html

[attack eagle]

I've hauled 1000 lbs plus in the back of mine without SLS.
But when I say tow I don't refer to around town or 100 miles or so. I mean getting out there and towing hundreds of miles at 70-80+

no way would I EVER consider towing a car on a 4 wheel trailer with a touring.

a tow dolly? Sure... without the slightest hesitation. just index, scribe, mark etc. and disco the driveshaft on the towed vehicle. :D plus they are far cheaper!!!

[Elekta]

The brakes, fine - but the tongue weight, how do you do that?

look at Zaraska's trailer with the E65 on it. If it's well balanced, and the car is on right, you should be fine. You have brand new accumulators and the valve, so it should air up nicely. If you were really worried, you could put the front folding roller on a scale, but again, I towed my boat and it was a 20ft sea ray with a mercruiser io v6.

[Paul in NZ]

you just need to move the car on the trailer backwards and forwards until you have the proper toungue weigth.If its too light the trailer will sway so mauch it will pu the towing car into a wobble.If its too heavy the towing car wil look like the rear suspension is missing or the engine hads been removed!.

[myles]

1500kg is the maximum weight of the trailer + load, if the trailer has its own brakes.

50kg is the maximum downward weight that can be put on the tow ball if the car doesn't have towing rear springs

75kg is the maximum downward weight that can be put on the tow ball if the car does have towing rear springs

[whiskychaser]

Can I be non technical for a minute? Its not whether your engine will pull it or your brakes will stop it. Its whether at a bend you turn and the trailer goes straight on. It can either jackknife or flip your car. Not being dramatic. Just seen it happen too many times. And I hate being stuck in queues

[Elekta]

A pig touring with a boat anchor for motor makes that not a problem. I see that happening with a trailer longet than 24', or an over loaded trailer, poorly balanced trailer, or a trailer with a burnt bearing, and bad tires...and an accident. There are regulars at the ring who use their M5T's and 540iT's to tow their EVO 3's to the track all the time. I just can't see it being a problem in Adrian's situation. If you are really worried, call Zaraska in Canada for support. He tow's his M5's with a 91 750iL all over the damned country.

recap:
You have an oem towing setup
You have a 4.0 6 speed (enough engine, and your nose will tell you if your clutch is slipping unlike a slushbox which you could damage w/o knowing it.
You have an SLS/LAD leveling system in perfect working order
You have headlight adjusters for night driving
You are only towing an M3 which is lighter than M5's or E65's which Zaraska tows with his 525iT 5 speed conversion.

There is no rumpus here unless you have a 3/4 ton pickup in which case, which is more comfortable for the roadtrip.

end of story

[whiskychaser]

1500kg is the maximum weight of the trailer + load, if the trailer has its own brakes.
I dont think its wise to exceed that

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Provided you use spring assisters or your SLS is in good order then no biggie, my TDS pulled a good trailer with a dead E34 M5 on overrun brakes easy,no drama and cruised at 80, allegedly,all day at 31mpg(UK).