Towing a caravan....

Scania

Scania

Scania

Caporegime
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On the road....
Looking to tow a 1200kg caravan with my e39 530i Sport Auto, wondering what would be the best type (if a type is required!) of tow bar suitable for the car (I've noticed a few tow bar websites specifically exclude the e39 Sport and M5 models) and what preventative measures I should consider for the car,? An auto gearbox fluid & filter replacement perhaps? The cooling system is all new so that's not a concern, the car in question is a 2000 m/y, I'm sure it'll be upto the task despite its age, the towing part doesn't bother me at all, I'm well used to towing long trailers albeit HGV's.

Any specific needs with regard to getting the electrics wired in? - I don't want for example the bulb warning system to go haywire as I've seen on other tow bar fitted vehicles...

Any pointers appreciated.
 
I wonder if the bodykit on the Sports and M5s makes fitting the tow bar a bit difficult?
 
Joe T said:
I wonder if the bodykit on the Sports and M5s makes fitting the tow bar a bit difficult?
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I get this in the M5 due to the rear silencer design, I wouldn't have thought the sport variants should pose any problems though bar, maybe, cutting the bumper possibly.
 
You can tow with an E39 Sport, there is a replacement rear diffuser you can get from BMW which has a removable blanking plate in it you take off when attaching the towing hitch.

Don't cut the bumper, there is no need, simply get the correct diffuser.

Or just use Premier Inn's. Less crap :p
 
whatever you do get the electrics plumbed in correctly not just scotch locked into the rear lights.

If you are considering extended distances consider the double plug so you can charge the caravans battery and also you can use the cars battery to run the caravan.
 
I have a smallish trailer that I use for building supplies/tip runs etc, so I need a tow bar, but I have always gone with the detachable/hidden installs..

You can get Witter/Brinks/Thule E39 detachable setup:

e.g. (For the touring)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=950649

I'd go with the modern 13 pin electrics, you can get 7 pin to 13 pin adapters, but the newer 13 pin system is much better, designed to be waterproof, etc.
 
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Can't comment on the other aspects however many recommend an additional oil cooler for the gearbox. The standard ones on most cars are a heat exchanger unit mounted on the radiator and would benefit from an independent ATF cooler.
 
energy said:
Can't comment on the other aspects however many recommend an additional oil cooler for the gearbox. The standard ones on most cars are a heat exchanger unit mounted on the radiator and would benefit from an independent ATF cooler.
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Been googling this and until your post, I've read the e39's automatic box (and thus its cooler) is up to the job....

From what I've read, the trick is to not to allow it to labour in lower gears in D mode,more use it in S and use the steptronic for hills to hold lower gears.....

Looking at twin plug but probably not a detachable tow bar as they do cost a fair bit more, . I've found a second hand tow bar suitable e39 Sport bumper though, different colour to mine (typically) £200, which is the price difference between the detachable ones and not, so, . It's a non detachable for ~ £250 or, circa £650 for detachable and suitable bumper, a bit steep on car that stands me £1500 I think.
 
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And remember, if the caravan your towing has an Alko hitch, dont grease your ball.
Actually i wouldnt buy a caravan that didnt have an Alko hitch. No messing about with stabilisers.
 
If you're handy with a spanner it's worth having a go fitting a towbar yourself as they're usually pretty straight forward. I did my own on my Impreza and saved about £200 compared to any of the local places. Think mine was from pf-jones as they were cheaper than anywhere else for the Witter range, i ended up with a detachable swan neck sort.

Look for a specific wiring kit for your car and not a universal one as they tend to screw around with things if you've got a canbus car, also it's well worth wiring it in properly and not using those god awful scotchlock things that most tow bar places will use if you take it there. I went for the new 13pin socket as it just seemed way better to me but i guess it depends on what you're towing and what sockets that has.
 
What's the caravan? Didn't think there'd be any other caravan people on this forum :D

Are you going to wire the aux plug up so you can run the fridge and charge the van battery?
 
Probably worth speaking to BMW to see if there are specific looms or additional fans they fit when you get a towing kit, on my car using the specific kit, it is just a plug in loom to the right places and then rear parking sensors are disabled and trailer stability gets enabled all part of trailer prep.

I paid to get the gear fitted and the installer did some generic thing that meant that stuff did not get switched on/off, I had to get him to buy the correct gear and do it properly.
 
[TW]Fox;27745948 said:
The non detachable ones look totally awful though.
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They don't look great I agree, but, the detachable ones are considerably more money, plus I have to source a suitable bumper and paint it which quickly adds up to a large outlay on whats ultimately a 14year old £1500 car, phoning round this morning has thus far got me a quote of £300 fitted for a fixed as opposed to £600 fitted for the detachable, thats before I think about suitable bumbers etc.

If my car was still relatively new and worth a lot, I'm sure I'd do it properly as far as looks go, it isn't though.

Shoei said:
And remember, if the caravan your towing has an Alko hitch, dont grease your ball.
Actually i wouldnt buy a caravan that didnt have an Alko hitch. No messing about with stabilisers.
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It has an Alko hitch. :)

task said:
What's the caravan? Didn't think there'd be any other caravan people on this forum :D

Are you going to wire the aux plug up so you can run the fridge and charge the van battery?
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It is an Ace Jubilee something or other, 2006, sleeps upto six has numerous goodies fitted to it, I'm certainly going to get the aux wired up so the car will charge the 'vans battery whilst its towing.

sovietspybob said:
If you're handy with a spanner it's worth having a go fitting a towbar yourself as they're usually pretty straight forward. I did my own on my Impreza and saved about £200 compared to any of the local places. Think mine was from pf-jones as they were cheaper than anywhere else for the Witter range, i ended up with a detachable swan neck sort.

Look for a specific wiring kit for your car and not a universal one as they tend to screw around with things if you've got a canbus car, also it's well worth wiring it in properly and not using those god awful scotchlock things that most tow bar places will use if you take it there. I went for the new 13pin socket as it just seemed way better to me but i guess it depends on what you're towing and what sockets that has.
Click to expand...

I don't mind fitting the bar itself, I'm not keen on messing about with the electrics though, I think I'll get it fitted professionally, I would rather the peace of mind knowing its all done correctly.
 
Is the caravan 1200kg caravan MRO (basic weight of caravan) or MTPLM (thats the max weight of caravan + accessory's you can carry in the caravan) that info is near side of door

What make/model is the caravan

Also when dd you pass your test pre 97 or post 97?
 
eatcustard said:
Is the caravan 1200kg caravan MRO (basic weight of caravan) or MTPLM (thats the max weight of caravan + accessory's you can carry in the caravan) that info is near side of door

What make/model is the caravan

Also when dd you pass your test pre 97 or post 97?
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Iirc, the caravan is 1200kg basic weight, I'll double check when I next go to where its stored though.

Its an Ace Jubilee something or other, again, I'll have to check, built in 2006.

I don't think my licence entitlement will be an issue.

 
As I said earlier in the thread you do not need a new bumper nor painting. You just need a new diffuser on the Sport which requires no painting.
 
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