Definitely appreciate the opinion, thanks!
This guy (see post #9) has no problems with his setup, but those Canadians are crazy
What GCVWR is listed for the 2011+ X3?
I test drove an X5 diesel. I liked it, but you could definitely feel how big it is and not very nimble compared to the X3. 95% of the time the vehicle I buy won't be used for towing, hence my desire for the X3 instead of the X5. But obviously I don't want to do something that's not smart/safe, which is why I'm researching all of this now.
The other thing I find interesting is I know a ton of people with the original X5's that tow fully enclosed trailers without any problems. And the new X3's are about the same size as those old X5's.