[bono]

Hi All,

I really like G05 design and looking at this model as a replacement for my E70 diesel. I am towing fairly large trailer (33 ft, 7,000 lbs) and towing capabilities are important. I am happy that they increased the US towing capacity from 6,000 lbs to 7,200 lbs. Still I do not understand why BMW delivers the same car to rest of the world with 7,700 lbs towing capacity.

Regardless, I noticed that the G05 will have only 850-870 lbs payload (E70 has 1,100 lbs). Anybody has an idea what is the reason to decrease the payload?

Also, does anybody know what would be the hitch design, i.e. a E70 hitch type where the receiver is always connected to the hitch tube or a F15 (hidden) hitch type, where there is an adapter with a two inch receiver? I need to use weight distribution hitch, so F15 type of the hitch is not an option.

Thanks!

[ILM_X5]

I'm not familiar with the F15 trailer hitch type, but you may be able to answer your question simply by looking at the photo of the hitch from the online configurator.



I searched the G05 Owners Manual and there was not any information regarding towing with the factory hitch. There may be a supplement that is included with the package.

Hope this helps.

[bono]

Thanks! This looks like EU spec hitch, which is "hidden" detachable hitch. Nice design, but totally not compatible with weight distribution hitches. This is what the used to as a basis for F15 hitch.

[JayPichardo]

The hitch will look almost identical in design to the G01 X3

[spike5150]

Originally Posted by CLT_X5

I'm not familiar with the F15 trailer hitch type, but you may be able to answer your question simply by looking at the photo of the hitch from the online configurator.

Attachment 1912971

I searched the G05 Owners Manual and there was not any information regarding towing with the factory hitch. There may be a supplement that is included with the package.

Hope this helps.

This is not the US hitch.

[Kakalika]

I am very sure Invivisihitch will come out with a hitch for the G05 that will match the European weight rating.

[bono]

Great, thanks! There are some photos of G01 hitch and it appears that this not an adapter type hitch / receiver as in F15. By any chance do you know, whether it would be rated for use with weight distribution hitch?

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh....php?t=1253814

Originally Posted by NH_F36

The hitch will look almost identical in design to the G01 X3

[bono]

They initially had information about 7,700 lbs rating, but they removed it from the website. Besides their hitches definitely cannot be used with weight distribution.

Originally Posted by Kakalika

I am very sure Invivisihitch will come out with a hitch for the G05 that will match the European weight rating.

[spike5150]

Here's a pic from the US Configurator

[bono]

Looks good. Now I need to figure out why they decreased the payload... this is significant drop.

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by spike5150

Here's a pic from the US Configurator

Good find!!!

[ADK-X5]

My take on it... (and I don't know that I'm correct, it's just my assumption) It has to do with American trailer brake systems. The trailers here tend to rely completely on electric braking. If that goes out, the vehicle has to do all the work. My European horse trailer has an inertia braking system, also known as surge braking. I have had both and I much prefer the inertia system. The inertia/surge brakes are also why you can't use the weight distribution bars.

[bono]

Other European manufacturers (MB, Audi, VW, Porsche) are not downrating towing capacity for their SUV on the US market, i.e. they are rated to tow 7,700 lbs, same as BMW X5 in the rest of the world. Therefore, I do not think it has anything to do with the brakes. On top of that, BMW X5 has better brakes than any truck on the market and trucks are often rated much higher than 7,200 or 7,700 lbs.

I am not engineer, but do you really think that surge brakes are the real deal breaker for weight distribution? As far as I read, weight distribution hitches are disallowed in Europe due to lobbing of European trailer manufacturers, who feared that, if such hitches are used in Europe, it would allow the US trailers (which are heavier) to enter the market. But I am not really sure about this.

[1230vani]

I dont know about US spec but for Europe its the same hitch as in F15 because the same 2.0 bike rack is available as an accessortly. Towing capacity has increased though

[bono]

There is no reason for BMW to change the Euro design of the hitch. It is only the US market, where the hitch was not a factory option (only dealer installed) and this is changed now with G05.

Towing capacity increased? From 7,700 lbs to what?

[ADK-X5]

Originally Posted by bono

I am not engineer, but do you really think that surge brakes are the real deal breaker for weight distribution?

Weight distribution negates the surge brakes, so yes.

The surge/inertia brakes work at the hitch.

"When the towing vehicle's brakes are applied, the tow vehicle starts to slow and the centrifugal force causes the trailer and its load to push forward on the neck of the trailer, which in turn forces the front half of the trailer neck in. When the front neck is pushed into the back half, the rod is pushed into the master cylinder, which then applies the brakes. When the towing vehicle releases the brakes and moves forward, the neck once more extends and releases the brakes."

When the bars are attached to the weight distribution hitch, it stops the mechanism from pushing in and activating the brakes.

[Kakalika]

Here is the hitch on the new X5. Pic is a bit dark but you can make it out.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by Kakalika

Here is the hitch on the new X5. Pic is a bit dark but you can make it out.

This is the second picture I've seen where when the car is outfitted with the tow hitch the trim piece around it is a muted grey/graphite instead of brushed aluminum. Could this be because of the exterior color or the tow hitch? I'm curious if the car was a lighter color, if that trim piece would still be the graphite color instead of aluminum.

Edit:
I see now that the trim piece in question is color matched to the car.

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

I'm curious if the car was a lighter color, if that trim piece would still be the graphite color instead of aluminum.

Edit:
I see now that the trim piece in question is color matched to the car.

But do still wonder if a white car, if that piece would be white then also.

[Buckett76]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

But do still wonder if a white car, if that piece would be white then also.

It's white, this looks good on dark paint but didn't look good on the configuration with White paint

[Jack6]

These guys have the euro Invisisile towbars available. Love it on my X3, https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1601424 but they also have the same towbar solution for the new X5 (G05). If you want to make sure your X5 looks the same as when you took it from the dealer, and want to tow, then etowbars are the perfect solution. Not cheap, but the quality and invisibility definitely make it worth it. X5 G05 towbar options in Australia.. https://etowbars.com/au/Towbars/BMW/...wbars-G05-2019

They provide fitting at your home or office, but only in Sydney and Melbourne at the moment - discrimination at its best! The upside is there is no delivery surcharge if you are true blue and actually contribute to the Australian economy by working outside the capital cities.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

This is the second picture I've seen where when the car is outfitted with the tow hitch the trim piece around it is a muted grey/graphite instead of brushed aluminum. Could this be because of the exterior color or the tow hitch? I'm curious if the car was a lighter color, if that trim piece would still be the graphite color instead of aluminum.

Edit:
I see now that the trim piece in question is color matched to the car.

The trim piece around the hitch is brushed Al if it is xline, body color if it is MSport