07-01-2012, 09:35 AM | #1 |
Private
7
Rep 84
Posts
Drives: 2006 Z4M SuperCharged
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississauga
|
Trailer hitch for 2012 335i
I need to install a trailer hitch for hauling a utility trailer and possibly a boat trailer for a 20 ft ski boat. I went to a trailer place only to be told that no one makes a hitch for this car. Can this be possible? Am I out of luck, or do any of you know where I might be able to find one?
|
07-01-2012, 10:34 AM | #3 |
Major
342
Rep 1,325
Posts |
Here's what I posted in this thread about towing. (In response to towing a 3,000 lb. boat)
CLIFF's NOTES: You'll probably need to order one from Europe, or have one custom made. I also searched and don't see F30 fits from any of the usual domestic manufacturers (U-Haul, Curt, Hidden Hitch). Take a pass on any hitch you find that simply bolts to the trunk floor pan - like some of the generic-fit domestic hitches. I'd only use those type for utilizing a hitch-mounted bike rack. Just keep in mind the standard Euro hitch ball is 50mm and not easily replaceable/interchangable like the standard North American design. So, you'll be limited to 2" (50.8mm) couplers (Ive heard they fit the 50mm ball well). If you have a 1 7/8" coupler you're sort out-of-luck with the euro hitches. Also, most euro hitches do not have provisions for safety chains which I always thought was odd. You'll either need to have some welded on, or get comfortable (illegal?) not using them at all. ----------- I'd first contact a UK member of the board and have them give you the max towing limits in their owner's manual. I haven't seen towing limits listed in the US versions for decades. The two limiting factors will be: #1 The tounge weight. Most BMW cars are limited to 75kg (165 lbs). Weight the tounge of your trailer to make sure you will be under that. If it's over by much at all I'd just forget it. #2 The max UNBRAKED towing limits of the F30 will not be close to 3,000 lbs. It will probably be in the high 1,000 lbs range (maybe 1,600 -1,800 lbs.). But, the BRAKED trailer limits will probably be in the 3,500 lb range. Even my 138 HP/ 138 FT-LBS E36 318ti has an BRAKED towing limit of 3,306 lbs. You will need to add trailer brakes if you want to meet this limit. And for the hitch itself, the US made ones (u-haul, Curt, etc..) are mostly class I, as you've probably seen. You might need to order a real Euro hitch (Westfalia, Witter, Bosal, Thule, etc.) to get the max towing capability. Check their websites for limitations on their hitches. For example, Westfalia has F30 hitches in their online catalog but they don't list max weights, yet. But, their E90 hitches in both fixed and detachable versions have max limits of 165 lbs tounge (75 kg) and 4,000 lbs trailer (1,800 kg). That will do the trick. You can buy euro hitches at http://www.pfjones.co.uk. They will ship to the US for about $220. I've towed with my 318ti for many years and find it very useful Here's my 5x8 Aluma that puts any SUV to shame. When things are too big for the family Suburban, we use this (and get better fuel mileage than the Subruban could get) Good Luck! Last edited by CirrusSR22; 07-01-2012 at 10:48 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2012, 11:20 AM | #5 |
Lieutenant
81
Rep 436
Posts |
Now that was a good answer. I have bought parts for other things from the UK and while the time difference (making phone comm. problematic) and the shipping time can suck, if you buy from a reputable establishment, I can attest that the result can be A+ (needed an aftermarket upgrade for rear susp. on an old mountain bike I was not quite ready to put to pasture).
My towing solution is my wife's X5
__________________
2023 G80 ///M3x Comp. BSM on Black M Brakes
Gone: 2018 F80 ///M3 ZCP 6 MT, 2013 F30 335i 6MT M-Sport |
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2012, 12:29 PM | #6 |
Enlisted Member
2
Rep 45
Posts |
Elk,
For one thing I own a Yamaha LX210 jet boat with a towing weight of 2000lbs. I would not want to be submerging the back axles of my F30 on a boat ramp or putting the car through that type of towing stress. To each his own but saying it is a good idea for a low riding F30 not designed for towing is nothing but nuts. Go with a x5 if you want to haul a boat of that size. Peace Last edited by TLennox; 07-01-2012 at 12:35 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2012, 04:35 PM | #8 | |
/dev/random
31
Rep 353
Posts |
Quote:
I regularly see BMWs here with trailers, or bike racks on the trailer hitch. So saying that the car is not designed for it is simply not true. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2012, 05:17 PM | #9 | |
Major
342
Rep 1,325
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2012, 05:28 PM | #10 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
267
Rep 1,879
Posts
Drives: 2012 F30 328i
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hawaii
|
Quote:
Edit: just checked to be sure, it seems that, since May 2009, those safety cables are no longer mandatory when you pull less than 750kg (about 1650lbs) but still are when they're heavier and when the trailer is an older trailer that is equipped with them. The hitch should therefor still have provisions for it, at least in the Netherlands from what I read.
__________________
F30 328i Luxury w/ Mojave metallic, beige interior (timeline)
Note: Many PM me for links to the software needed to code. Please note that I do not have download links to this software. Your best bet is using the search function in the coding thread Last edited by svache; 07-01-2012 at 05:34 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2012, 06:20 PM | #11 |
Major
342
Rep 1,325
Posts |
Well most I have seen do not. Not to imply none of them have it though. I've only looked at UK market hitches but it's still all the big brands. Westfalia, Bosal, Witter, Thule, etc..
Most of them a single "loop" for connecting to the brake system breakaway cable, but I almost never see the double loop system seen on US hitches. But also, trailer brakes seem to be much more common on euro trailers as they become more and more important when towing with smaller vehicles like they do in europe. Even BMW's own multi-trailer from the 1990s listed safety chains, but only for the US market. Last edited by CirrusSR22; 07-02-2012 at 12:24 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-02-2012, 12:48 PM | #12 | |
Private
7
Rep 84
Posts
Drives: 2006 Z4M SuperCharged
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississauga
|
Quote:
My previous car was a 1997 Maxima, which is about the same size as the 335i, so I was surprised to find it so difficult to find a hitch. It's not exactly a 'Smart' car. The old Maxima only had 190HP compared to the 300 for the 335i. There should be no problem towing with this car. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|