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      01-07-2013, 05:31 PM   #19
EvilDrPorkChop
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Drives: Porsche Cayman
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scotta2
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogerbu View Post
I find the X3 a very good tug. I have the 30D but am very confident that the 20D would have plenty of torque. (I have a 1350Kg MPTLM van).

Having the extra 30D torgue meant that Alpine Passes were fun

Using the available 100KG of Noseweight limit the setup is the most stable I have had for many years - I had an Avensis saloon before and it was a hopeless match.

I would not go for the BMW factory fit towbar as it will not have the Fridge supply & return wired in. BMW's response was that it follows BMW's standards, not some funny ISO standard!!!.
One dealer offered to correct this for only 800!, others offered to correct it (extra relay and wires) at no cost. Either way it would have meant running extra wiring alongside the factory wires into the back of the 13pin socket; With a risk of water ingress.

If you get the dealers to fit a bracket it will usually be the Westfalia BMW OEM bracket and electrics.
Your local Towbracket fitter will usually offer the same bracket and electrics much cheaper that via BMW (In any case my BMW Dealer outsources towbracket fitting to the fitter I have used for all my cars over the past 30 years).

As it its BMW OEM fitting, the Westfalia bracket and electrics fully integrate into the X3's electrics. I am very pleased with Westfalia's detachable bracket.

Thanks for the reply, it's reassuring that your outfit is stable and that the car copes well with towing a caravan. I will be towing 1600kg MPTLM which I know will be pushing the 85% recommended car to caravan ratio. I tend to load up the car rather than the caravan to help keep the outfit as stable as possible. I bought the car new from stock with the BMW electric towbar so I suppose I will need to think about the fridge power supply. Having said that I usually load up the coolbox into the car boot and use the 12v supply to keep food (and wine) chilled until we reach our destination.

Have'nt seen that many X3's towing caravans so it's good to hear first hand that I've not made a mistake getting rid of myXC60.
Sorry to hijack again! Just so you know if you ask BMW they will put in the required wiring loom for the fridge etc. My Grandfather has caravans and always has it done at the dealer.

It's never really been an issue, first time it was £500 extra to have it done (5 GT) However on his second one (X5) they did it FOC. Think they ended up taking it to a specialist though.
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