Visit our Popular Forums

adwriter73 · 03-07-2010, 10:02 AM

Looking for a tow vehicle, but want a sporty SUV. Open to suggestions.

Road Ruler · 03-07-2010, 10:22 AM

Post's #1 and #9 here will interest you..... http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ing-30589.html

2airishuman · 03-07-2010, 12:34 PM

dpeakmd was towing a 30/31 with an x5...

probably weighs 5500-6500 lbs when loaded.

since u have recently visited his home page this must be old news.

i like the new diesel version of this ride, but don't care for suvs+towing.

too many toys 2 fit in/on/under/around the pack mule.

cheers
2air'

bluvalley · 03-07-2010, 12:39 PM

Hi,

I'm towing my 22 ft CCD with a 08 X5 6 cylinder and it's been fantastic. (pic attached) great mileage while towing 15-16, and over 20 when not towing.

If I had to buy one today though I would get the diesel over the V8 hands down.

Best of luck,

James

adwriter73 · 03-07-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluvalley

Hi,

I'm towing my 22 ft CCD with a 08 X5 6 cylinder and it's been fantastic. (pic attached) great mileage while towing 15-16, and over 20 when not towing.

If I had to buy one today though I would get the diesel over the V8 hands down.

Best of luck,

James

You can tow it with the 6 cyl? How much does your 2003 Airstream weigh?

rluhr · 03-07-2010, 05:01 PM

BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz all make "sporty" SUVs that can tow 5,000 lbs. easily. All of them also have V6 turbodiesel options, which I would recommend if towing is the primary job of the vehicle. They get terrific fuel economy especially when not towing.

bluvalley · 03-09-2010, 05:44 AM

My AS weighs about 4500 lbs loaded. (I usually pack light!)

Mine is the regular 6 cylinder, not the diesel.

Road Ruler · 03-09-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adwriter73

You can tow it with the 6 cyl? How much does your 2003 Airstream weigh?

I too tow a 4,500lb road ready 23' with a V6/5 speed import.

Like the X5 V6 the 260HP/260TQ Infiniti engine is very powerful. With over 200hrs and over 5 years of towing, no issues.

The aerodynamics of the Airstream really require less fuel, and engine size compared with towing a box type TT's.

s.putnik · 03-09-2010, 08:37 AM

I am towing a 2005 19' Bambi CCD with a 2002 X5 V6. Total loaded weight of 4500 lbs. An X5 is an awesome towing vehicle for Airstreams. I had to perform an evasive manuever to avoid a broken wooden pallet in the road with nails sticking out and kept the Bambi/X5 well under control. I don't think I could do that with any other vehicle.

pebbrb05 · 06-13-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adwriter73

Looking for a tow vehicle, but want a sporty SUV. Open to suggestions.

Have been towing 09 23FB Flying Cloud with 07 X5 4.8i with sport package for one year. 13 mpg when towing; 19 mpg when not. Had issues mounting electronic brake control. BMW now has specifications for controller install. Handling, braking and acceleration is excellent. (This is the only trailer I have ever towed so my point of reference may been bias.) Only major issue is gear hunting in top gear. I manually shift to avoid hunting. May happen with all towing but when a large tractor trailer gets too close it feels as if the BMW/Airstream package is pushed faster.

JFScheck · 06-15-2010, 08:53 AM

I tow a 25fb with a T-Rex with diesel power - great daily driver, super mpg both when towing and when not - and when you unhook the trailer lots of fun either going off road or racing around the mountains!

Road Ruler · 06-16-2010, 05:36 AM

Just last week my son in law had his BMW Z4 M shipped across the country to our location. I had a chance to drive it. With so much power (straight 6, non turbo, 340HP) it is quite the hot rod.
Not sure if it could be set up as a TV but it sure would be fun touring with such a sure footer, powerful machine.

YouTube - BMW Z4 M Roadster Test

adwriter73 · 06-16-2010, 11:23 AM

I used to have a BMW Z3 M Coupe. Now I've got an '08 Subaru STi. Love it, but need something that can pull. It seems to me a lot of people on here are towing more than the manufacturer allows. I could be wrong, but some of these V6-powered machines shouldn't be capable of pulling close to 5,000 lbs. I'm currently looking at a used VW Touareg in V8-form. The V6 is much cheaper, but I'm concerned about the strain on the engine. Thoughts?

Road Ruler · 06-16-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adwriter73

I used to have a BMW Z3 M Coupe. Now I've got an '08 Subaru STi. Love it, but need something that can pull. It seems to me a lot of people on here are towing more than the manufacturer allows. I could be wrong, but some of these V6-powered machines shouldn't be capable of pulling close to 5,000 lbs. I'm currently looking at a used VW Touareg in V8-form. The V6 is much cheaper, but I'm concerned about the strain on the engine. Thoughts?

My sis has a Z3 soft top. 13 years old and runs great.

For the last 5 years we have been towing our 23' with a V6. Our whole rig weighs under 9,000lbs ready for travel. No issues with 200hrs of towing. The car runs like new.

Compared to a much heavier full sized V8 vehicle towing the same trailer I don't think two extra cylinders will get you much advantage.

ck21084 · 06-16-2010, 12:24 PM

I was wondering about this as well. I drive a 3 series for my daily driver and love it. I was looking at the M X5 but at only 5800lbs tow cap. I am not sure that it would handle my rig. But with 555hp I am sure it would be up to the challange. What do you think?

Road Ruler · 06-16-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ck21084

I drive a 3 series for my daily driver and love it. But with 555hp I am sure it would be up to the challange. What do you think?

Keep the traction control switch engaged...LOL

PS... The 3 series is comparable to our TV but note it needs to be set up professionally.

AlbertF · 06-16-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adwriter73

I used to have a BMW Z3 M Coupe. Now I've got an '08 Subaru STi. Love it, but need something that can pull. It seems to me a lot of people on here are towing more than the manufacturer allows. I could be wrong, but some of these V6-powered machines shouldn't be capable of pulling close to 5,000 lbs. I'm currently looking at a used VW Touareg in V8-form. The V6 is much cheaper, but I'm concerned about the strain on the engine. Thoughts?

VW provides the same 7700 lb tow rating for all three engine choices - v6, v8 and v10 TDI.

I wouldn't hesitate to tow with the v6. It's quite adequate; the extra power of the v8 is gravy.

The performance differences between a sedan or SUV like the T-reg and a traditional pickup amount to aerodynamics, weight, gear ratios, and using higher engine revs to make the power to move through the air. For example, I tow at 65 mph and about 3300 rpm, but the engine in my car is totally happy doing it. Coolant temp sits between 200 and 210 on a warm day with the a/c on.

Road Ruler · 06-16-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertF

For example, I tow at 65 mph and about 3300 rpm, but the engine in my car is totally happy doing it. Coolant temp sits between 200 and 210 on a warm day with the a/c on.

That is good info Albert. Towing with our Nissan Van we too ran at 3300 rpm at 65MPH. It would run all day there and was happy (even at 435,000klm) the engine ran fine with trailer in tow.
The car now runs 65mph in 4th gear (not 5th) at about 2,900RPM. Never seen the temp gauge go past normal when towing and at that RPM it is very quiet. You hear some tire noise but that's it.

adwriter73 · 06-16-2010, 09:30 PM

All good info. Thanks, guys. I'm going to look into the V6 Touareg a little more.

adwriter73 · 06-16-2010, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ck21084

I was wondering about this as well. I drive a 3 series for my daily driver and love it. I was looking at the M X5 but at only 5800lbs tow cap. I am not sure that it would handle my rig. But with 555hp I am sure it would be up to the challange. What do you think?

I think the M package compromises the towing capacity because of the more performance-oriented suspension set up. It definitely has the brakes and the engine to tow, though.