BMW X5 2011 TV, trying to decide which size AS I can safely tow

[kayt]

Greetings! I am in the market for an Airstream on the smaller side. I have a BMW 2011 X5 V6 Turbo for the towing vehicle (with BMW installed hitch and I plan on getting the Equilizer stabilizer), and am looking at everything from 16 ft to 22 ft Airstreams.

From what I have read it seems like a 16 foot AS will be no problem, but I am getting fuzzy on trailers in the 20 foot to 22 foot range.

I looked at a 2010 Flying Cloud 20FB yesterday that was beautiful, but empty weight on that is 4200 pounds. Does anyone have experience with an X5 and trailers over 4000 pounds? Does the X5 do okay or is it better to stay under 3500 pounds empty weight?

Any advice would be appreciated. I am looking forward to getting my first Airstream. I just want to make sure that I don't overload myself and make towing harder than it has to be.

[mutcth]

There is a poster here who tows a 30+ foot Airstream with his first-generation X5. Here is a current-gen X5 owner towing his 22' CCD - the 2011 turbocharged X5 has even more power.

In other words, you can easily tow what you're considering.

Tom

[withidl]

Originally Posted by mutcth

There is a poster here who tows a 30+ foot Airstream with his first-generation X5. Here is a current-gen X5 owner towing his 22' CCD - the 2011 turbocharged X5 has even more power.

In other words, you can easily tow what you're considering.

Tom

I'm that poster. The X5 is an excellent tow vehicle when set up with the OEM hitch, Sport Package and Hensley hitch interface or equivalent. Do a search on "withidl" and you'll find all sorts of opinions/facts on my assembly.

[Saltydogs]

I tow a 2010 20 foot flying cloud with a Honda Pilot with no problems at all. Transmission cooler and a weight distribution hitch has worked well for me. It has worked so well I am trading this month for a 23 foot. Have fun

[TerraYacht]

Originally Posted by kayt

BMW 2011 X5 V6 Turbo

BTW, the engine is straight 6: BMW has not built a V6...yet. The specs show a 6000# tow capacity, compared to my 2001 X5 that had a 5000# tow rating. However, I only tow an occasional utility trailer with no problem, of course. Doing some research, I found that the Cayenne shows 7000#, suggesting amore robust chassis, tranny, or something else in the drivetrain with more reserve.