BMW 5 estate and trailer - is it possible?

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Caznay

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I know it is far from ideal - not least because the BMW is crap on mud :rolleyes: BUT we will not be able to change our car until 2013. We have one 13.3 New Forest. Is it even POSSIBLE to pull a trailer with our current car (BMW 5 series touring)? Otherwise we are going to have to cadge lifts everywhere...
 
Well it is possible, as long as you can put up with pointing fingers and belly laughing :D

You can always ask someone who owns a proper 4x4 to tow you out if you get into trouble... ;)
 
Quite a few years ago we had a BMW 525 SE automatic ,it was one of the best cars we ever had to tow with. It pulled really smoothly and never got stuck in mud even when some others did! The salesman did look a bit shocked when we asked for him to put a towbar on. We pulled an ivor williams with 2x 15.2hh in it with no problem.
 
We've got one, should think it's easily powerful enough but wouldn't fancy attempting a field! Think you'd be alright if you were going to show venues where you park on hard standing.
 
That's what I thought lennyfan, if we could be sure of staying on tarmac we should be OK. The local pony club is fine for all the rally venues which is what we want I think. Otherwise she has to go to pony club with a friend, not local and involves staying over at the friends which isn't ideal, not least because NF will have to be in over night which he will hate!!
 
Thanks, have just read the sticky - about 4 posts in it says that a DISCO is illegal pulling a trailer - well if a disco is illegal there is no hope for any of us!

Friend tows successfully in an ancient volvo estate...
 
Caznay said:
Thanks, have just read the sticky - about 4 posts in it says that a DISCO is illegal pulling a trailer - well if a disco is illegal there is no hope for any of us!

Friend tows successfully in an ancient volvo estate...
Click to expand...

No thats wrong Caznay, it's only illegal if the driver concerned doesn't have a LICENCE to tow with a Disco... i.e. B+E post 1997.
 
Caznay said:
Thanks, have just read the sticky - about 4 posts in it says that a DISCO is illegal pulling a trailer - well if a disco is illegal there is no hope for any of us!

Friend tows successfully in an ancient volvo estate...
Click to expand...

Might be that the combination is illegal because of the type of driving licence the owner has - not that a Disco is illegal for pulling a trailer.
Please submit your details and find out - you wouldn't want to be pulled over by the police / VOSA.
 
Assuming you passed your test pre 1997, technically maybe, depending on what it says in car manual about maximum weight car can tow. Ancient Volvo's can do 1800g (I have one :D) which is sufficient for 1 NF pony with trailer.

Wet slippery grass can be challenging, I am considering getting snow and mud tyres on the volvo back wheels to see if this helps at all with the RWD. I have to say I have only ever needed to be towed out once in appalling wet conditions when everything needed help from the tractor, so don't be too pessimistic.
 
little_critter said:
Have a look in CR there's a sticky for HHO towing clinic. Rob will tell you whether your licence / car / trailer combination is legal or not.
Click to expand...
BMW 5 series - I think I might have found your specifications but not certain
http://www.getcarspecs.com/bmw/2008-bmw-525d-touring
IF this is correct then.......

Unladen weight = 1750
GVW = 2275
Towing capacity = 1800

towing with a B licence -
Max trailer plated MAM = 1225 (1225+2275=3500)
1225 is below 1750 so that rule has been complied with

towing with a B+E licence -
Max trailer plated MAM = 3500 BUT the ACTUAL weight of the empty trailer and its load cannot be more than 1800
 
OP I tow my Cheval Liberte with my 5 series 4.4L Auto. It tows really nicely, I keep the weight as low as possible, and like you I stick to tarmac in anything but bone dry weather!

All the official numbers work out, and it's a dream in practice too.

Have fun!
 
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