When I began this thread, I had not yet connected the TV and TT - it was all wishing to be home and RVing again. After this weekend, a quick 400 mile shakedown trip, things went operational:
- Overall: Great seat-of-pants feel. Mid-size turbo-diesel SUV is a stable and well-balanced tow vehicle. My wife was quick to notice the smooth ride and almost no porpoising, compared to the Ford Explorer, our only previous TV with this trailer. Plenty of power and torque, as we all expect from a diesel, but little chance to stress system, given mostly flat terrain.
TV is rated for 6000 lbs max, trailer weighed about 3675 lbs loaded (no water in tanks, light weekend packing load).
Apart from the different tow vehicle, changes since 2008 were upgrading from C to load range D Goodyear Marathons, and a larger Group 27 vice Group 24 battery.
- Weather & Mileage: no rain, but 25 MPH headwind going south; front pushed through, then had 30 MPH headwind headed north! Yielded 15.3 MPG and 14.7 MPG on each leg, respectively. Not bad for high drag conditions.
- Stopping: The factory brake controller, a rebadged Tekonsha P2, worked fine, just had no brake lights at all, at first! (A known BMW issue.) The dealer reflashed the towing module firmware, and now just a half second hiccup message when first connecting the umbilical.
- Hitch: Based on the discussion here, dialed in a small amount of weight distribution on the Hensley links; did not crank down to the first measured notch on the spring bars. Overall the same firm control as always, despite the above noted windy conditions and lots of big trucks passing, as the Arrow's makers always claim.
Appears to be a well-matched combination. Of course, this pair is always the smallest combo in the RV Park, in a south Texas land of fifth wheels and F250s.