The majority of consumers of luxury SUVs, however, just purchase them for their superior seating position and sense of protection, using only approximately 1% of their true utility. Nevertheless, don’t assume that even upscale SUVs lack practical utility. It’s true that Sharon from next door may never have subjected her BMW X5 to a full day of labor, but that doesn’t imply it isn’t capable of doing so.
In fact, towing boats is a common reason why SUV owners purchase their vehicles, and the BMW X5 is surprisingly effective at it.
The BMW X5 can easily pull your boat despite being a very nice, extremely opulent SUV with little outward sign of tough utilitarian characteristics. If your boat isn’t incredibly enormous, that is.
When fitted with a factory hitch, the 2019 BMW X5 has a maximum towing capacity of 7,209 pounds. Using trailer brakes, the vehicle can tow 6,603 pounds at a 12 percent braked angle.
That is more than enough to transport a ski boat or fishing boat of average size. Depending on the type of ski boat you have—which weights anywhere between 3,000 and 4,000 lbs—the X5 will almost certainly be able to tow it. This is excellent news for many boaters, as ski boats are the boat that is most frequently used for water sports.
A modest ski boat, horse trailer, or camping trailer may all weigh between 6,000 and 7,500 pounds. In terms of size, fishing boats are often relatively modest and weigh less than 2,500 lbs.
The BMW X5 can tow one, however some obviously have a higher weight limit. Therefore, the X5 can be your best option if you have a modest fishing boat and need an SUV that can transport it to the water in the utmost comfort.
Even better, the BMW X5 is available with an optional towing kit that increases its towing capacity to 7,200 lbs. and includes a Class III trailer hitch. For the average fishing boat or ski boat, that is more than plenty.
Consequently, even though it’s simple to be cynical and laugh at SUVs like the BMW X5 for what seems to be their superfluity, keep in mind that they’re actually far more capable than they let on. Your boat can the BMW X5 tow? Of course.
In This Article...
Test of Tow: BMW X5
BMW didn’t want to dress like the other guests at the luxury SUV party because it arrived at the event fashionably late. Therefore, it purposefully avoided copying the design cues of competitors like Cadillac, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, and Mercedes-Benz. The new X5 is a 5-series BMW sedan with more ground clearance, curb weight, and stature rather than a truck in a tuxedo. In other words, this is the first SUV that actually intends to drive and handle like a sports car. Fat Michelin radials bite down to carry out your every command when you yank the steering wheel. When you press the accelerator, an endless supply of energy propels you through the speed limit with a smooth whoosh. You are brought down from criminal speeds without drama by powerful brakes. This SUV is unquestionably for people who revere the “ultimate driving machine.”
However, the X5’s high steering effort and its rough ride over bumps and expansion joints will surprise those with more conventional tastes. (Especially unsettling is that whether the rear seats are up or folded down, BMW’s own 5-series sport wagon offers much greater cargo room.) A super-premium SUV targeted at a super-select audience with prices that start just around $40,000 and quickly rise above $50,000 when a V-8 and other options are added.
The X5’s disadvantages as a daily driver actually make it stronger at towing. I towed a 2’8″ Galaxie Thor deep-V sportboat on a Trail Rite dual-axle trailer for a few days to put the X5’s 6,000-pound maximum towing capacity to the test. The X5 accomplished incredible accomplishments, pulling more than five tons of weight overall and reaching 60 mph in less than 17 seconds. The same chassis that felt rigid over bumps when it wasn’t loaded moved with calm serenity while controlling the long trailer.
The driveline of the X5 lacks low range. It has unstoppable traction, a five-speed automatic transmission, and a powerful 4.4-liter V-8 engine, so none are required. Three open differentials in a center-mounted transfer case ensure that all four wheels receive power, while computer-controlled braking applications prevent any wheel from spinning. The X5 rushed its load out of the sea like a Caterpillar on shore patrol when I depressed the throttle pedal at the launch ramp.
Rear access is made possible by interlocking lift gates and tailgates to support the hauling requirements of the active boater. The standard 60-40 split and folding is used for the back seats. Skis that are wrapped in their own nylon storage bags can be inserted through a trap door that is placed into the backrest of the second row. There is an optional handy retractable load floor.
FINAL WORD. Prestige, fun while driving, and excellent hauling capability combine to make one outstanding SUV.
212s
Curious if anyone is towing with this, as the title suggests. A 2013 xdrive35d with 90k miles is available locally for roughly $15k. My 2007 Tundra and 2009 Camry hardly ever see the road. After having a baby, we are considering selling our small car and large truck in favor of something more useful that can pull a 232.
SUVs are perfectly capable of towing if they have the necessary rating. Although they jiggle and require a bit more steering effort due to their short wheelbase, towing is not a problem. With a large trailer tongue, the soft springs that cause the rear end to sag may be the most issue. My boat was around 400 lbs. out of balance when it left the factory for the 212s. I had to slide the axles forward about 6 inches to get to 5% per Shorelander’s standards – around 250 lbs for my boat/trailer combo – and move the winch tower back 2.5 inches to get the boat transom at the end of the bunks. As a result, the SUV no longer sags and the trailer rides level. also tows better.
Personally, I won’t get a BMW or M-B since I believe you don’t get as much value for your money. And the older X5 is approaching the point where some expensive maintenance may be required. Maybe a newer, smaller SUV or truck?
When correctly equipped with the available factory-installed trailer hitch, the 2020 BMW X5 can tow 7,200 pounds.
A boat can a BMW X7 tow?
Can a boat be towed by a BMW X7? The towing capacity of the BMW X7 SAV is up to 7,500 pounds. You can use that much power to pull a small boat, camper, or trailer.
Can the BMW X5 tow anything?
Maximizing the BMW X5’s Towing Specs The BMW X5 comes with a 6,202-pound towing capability as standard. You must choose the extra BMW X5 towing kit if you want to raise that capacity to the maximum 7,200-pound upper limit.
With a BMW X5, how much weight can I tow?
The BMW X5 can tow up to 6,603 pounds. There is a 3.0 L TwinPower 6-cylinder engine that comes standard, another 3.0 L TwinPower electric engine that is optional, and a 4.4 L TwinPower Turbo V8 engine that is also available.
The largest trailer that a BMW X5 can haul
For your Redmond commute, consider the BMW X5, a family-oriented SUV with a number of luxurious interior features. With its turbocharged gasoline engines, the 2022 BMW X5 can tow up to 7,200 pounds, or up to 5,952 pounds with its new plug-in hybrid option.
The towing capacity of a 2019 BMW X5
For Syosset drivers, the 2019 BMW X5 is a powerful premium crossover SUV with a maximum towing capability of 6,600 to 7,200 pounds. You can use the X5 for a lot of usefulness if you combine that with its payload capacity of 1,290 to 1,349 pounds.
Has the 2018 BMW X5 a tow hitch?
A towing package, a rack-only package, and a combo tow-and-rack package are all available from Stealth Hitches. All kits utilize the same vertical latching system and cross beam designed specifically for each vehicle.
The Stealth Wiring Harness or the Active Wiring Harness are available options for Tow and Combo packages. The active wire harness enables functions like back-up zoom to help couple the trailer and disable rear proximity sensors while the trailer is linked, as well as communication between the hitch and the vehicle.
Package Choices
Can a BMW X5 be equipped with a weight-distribution hitch?
Within reason, the x5 makes a great tow vehicle. According to BMW, the X5 is not appropriate for a weight-distribution hitch.
Will the X5 accept a tow hitch?
The 2021 BMW X5 can tow up to 5,952 pounds when equipped with a turbocharged V8 engine and up to 7,200 pounds when equipped with a turbocharged I6 gasoline engine. No matter which engine you select, the optional BMW X5 tow hitch ($550) is required to achieve the highest towing capacity.
Is the BMW X5 4WD?
Indeed it is! In fact, the excellent xDrive all-wheel drive technology is standard on both the new BMW X5 xDrive40i and xDrive50i available for purchase here at BMW of Macon.
What does X5 on a BMW mean?
In addition, the BMW nomenclature uses the letter “M” to designate the MotorSports division. When referring to the crossover or SUV body shape, BMW utilizes the letter “X” in its nomenclature. The “X” in this instance stands for “Cross-over” or a “Four-Wheel-Drive.” BMW also provides five SUVs, ranging from the X1 to the X6. The X1 and X3 are compact SUVs, the X4 is an entry-level compact SUV, and the X5 is a luxury mid-size SUV. The X6 is a coupe-only luxury sports activity vehicle.
In addition, the “Roadster” is represented by the letter “Z” in the BMW nomenclature. Rear-wheel drive sports automobile BMW Z4 is offered as a two-seater roadster. The little I in the BMW name stands for electric and hybrid vehicles. In addition, the i3 is an urban electric vehicle with a 5-door hatchback body style. The i8 is a Plug-in Hybrid Grand Tourer Sports vehicle, nevertheless.