Towing a 22' Sport with a Clam Shell Adapter?

[tkambler]

I recently purchased a BMW X5 (diesel) with the tow package. Max tow capacity is 6,000 pounds (tongue weight - 600 pounds). I currently have a 2" ball, but I understand that I need a 2 5/16" ball to tow our 22' Sport.

Has anyone ever seen this?

2" to 2 5/16" Clamshell Adapter

Will this solve my problem, or should I see about having a different ball placed on it altogether?

[out of sight]

Balls are cheap. I'd get a new ball. To put it on you'll need a good sized wrench to get the 450 ft-lbs of torque required. I did mine with a 26" pipe wrench from Lowes for $25.99.

[out of sight]

You can actually get a 2 5/16" ball already assembled on a 2" square ball mount. I think I got one at Home Depot for about $20.

[waninae39]

dont do that

the 2" receiver works as a system with the rest of the installed undercarriage towing equipment h/w. adding a larger ball will NOT increase your capacity.

the receiver size is tied to the capacity of the whole undercarriage towing assembly

unfortunately if you want to use the larger ball, you will need to update the undercarriage towing equipment as a whole.

if not, you may end up failure one day as you drive.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I just don't see that as a long term solution...maybe as an emergency option if stranded.
Buy the ball and be certain.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[out of sight]

The Airstream coupler requires a 2 5/16" ball. The BMW receiver requires a 2" ball mount. It has nothing to do with towing capacity.

[JCWDCW]

But the new ball. Less than $20 at Tractor Supply Co.
JCW

[drbrick]

seriously, you're really thinking about this rather that obtaining a correct size ball to tow your new $50,000 AS you're kidding - right???

[smithcreek]

If you don't have the right ball the real question is what hitch do you have? Is it a weight distributing and sway reducing hitch or just plain shank with a ball?


I can't speak directly to the BMW you have, but towing a 22' with a vehicle rated at 6000 lbs., a good WD hitch is pretty much standard equipment. Lots of options, take a look at the Reese Straight Line hitch to give you an idea what you need.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Danger danger Will Robinson...🤪

Is he within the towing limits of the TV?

Cheese and crackers got all muddy...all the OP wants to do is toe his trailer. Has nutt'n to do with increasing anything.
I've swapped my balls many times, on AS's and boats, no problems.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[out of sight]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Danger danger Will Robinson...🤪

Is he within the towing limits of the TV?


🇺🇸

He's towing a 4500 lb trailer with a 450 lb tongue weight using a BMW diesel rated to tow 6000 lbs with a 600 lb tongue weight. Assuming he doesn't exceed the BMW payload limit by overloading the back of the car he's well within safe tow limits, with or without a weight distribution hitch.

[truffies]

I have looked in to this you can not use the BMW clamshell used in EUR it is a L shape receiver. It can not handle the USA trailer specs. Plus, the WD hitch has major effect on car frame. Call Cam-Am in canada to fix the car frame or you will have flex. BIG NO NO NO. Andy Thompson is the top person on car towing. Best trip you will make for car. IT IS A GREAT TOWING VEH with right fix.

[Tree]

Hi the larger ball is designed for higher capacity tow rates and includes a shank that is a bit more robust as well - or so I've always assumed. Buying the larger ball and properly installing it is important. Ymmv. All the best with your adventures!

[smithcreek]

Originally Posted by out of sight

He's towing a 4500 lb trailer with a 450 lb tongue weight using a BMW diesel rated to tow 6000 lbs with a 600 lb tongue weight. Assuming he doesn't exceed the BMW payload limit by overloading the back of the car he's well within safe tow limits, with or without a weight distribution hitch.

Lots of reports of 22' having higher tongue weights than the specs state. Also, manufacturers often specify weights well below the max towing and tongue ratings where sway control devices or weight distribution hitches are required.

For instance, my Tacoma is rated 6500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 650 lb. tongue weight, but the manual states a sway control device is required above 2000 lb. and WD hitch above 5000 lb. Even with that requirement I can tell you, our FC20 weighs well under 5000 lb. and benefits greatly from a WD hitch.

Really not a great idea to advise people to throw caution to the wind without even knowing what the facts are.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by tkambler

I recently purchased a BMW X5 (diesel) with the tow package. Max tow capacity is 6,000 pounds (tongue weight - 600 pounds). I currently have a 2" ball, but I understand that I need a 2 5/16" ball to tow our 22' Sport.

Has anyone ever seen this?

2" to 2 5/16" Clamshell Adapter

Will this solve my problem, or should I see about having a different ball placed on it altogether?

...it may fit the ball but what about the small shank on the 2” ball...if it breaks you have big problems....very quickly...

[jcl]

OP:

It comes down to what receiver you have. If it is the quick detach one that BMW offers, then the discussion above about just buying a ball may not be relevant. Many of those comments are presuming a 2" square receiver.

Tell us what you have now, and we can go from there.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by truffies

I have looked in to this you can not use the BMW clamshell used in EUR it is a L shape receiver. It can not handle the USA trailer specs. Plus, the WD hitch has major effect on car frame. Call Cam-Am in canada to fix the car frame or you will have flex. BIG NO NO NO. Andy Thompson is the top person on car towing. Best trip you will make for car. IT IS A GREAT TOWING VEH with right fix.

Ahh yes a trip to C-eh-N-eh-D-eh will solve it. 😂
Does in fact the X5 need all that work to tow 22'? I doubt it
How much more does that trip cost...more than a new ball I bet.

Bob
🇺🇸

[kmclaren]

Everyone else on the thread is correct about the hitch ball size. I have a 22' Sport and my tow max. is 11K, overkill I am sure, I travel light...but would be concerned by the capacity of your TV assuming the right ball and w/d hitch.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Ahh yes a trip to C-eh-N-eh-D-eh will solve it. ��
Does in fact the X5 need all that work to tow 22'? I doubt it
How much more does that trip cost...more than a new ball I bet.

Bob
����

It doesn't need a trip to Canada, eh.

It needs a traditional North American 2" square receiver, available from any multitude of towing supply outfits, to replace the detachable hitch ball in the Euro style, if that is what the OP has. It is what BMW sells these days. Curt and others make receivers that fit the vehicle fine.

BMW do offer a clip in bracket for their vertical receiver socket that then takes a hitch ball, but which doesn't accommodate any WD equipment if in fact the OP wants to use that.

[ProTech]

Give it a try. But you will buy an F-150 before long though. More power, heaver tow vehicle, more carrying capacity,... You will make the change down the road and be glad you did.