Drawbar Nose Weight

lambo13 · 01-24-2021, 08:10 PM

Looking at purchasing a trailer and wondering about the impact of a WDH on drawbar nose weight.

The trailer I’m looking at has a hitch weight of 502 lbs which obviously exceeds the 441 lbs drawbar nose weight that my 2020 X3 M40i is rated at.

Would a WDH move enough weight off the hitch to the front axle to put it within the rated spec?

Dilbert2402 · 01-25-2021, 05:56 AM

I'm really surprised to read that 'normal' X3 has a 441lb nose weight limit, mine is limited to 220lb. This isn't a problem for me as nearly all European drawbars are limited to that and most caravan hitches are limited to 300lb. I would still double check the spec of your tow hitch to ensure it matches the 441lb rating of your car and allow for the fact that anything in the trunk will be added to the load on the suspension, reducing the allowed nose weight. Fitting a WHD to the trailer will add weight to the trailer hitch further impacting the total load on the drawbar.

lambo13 · 01-25-2021, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dilbert2402

I'm really surprised to read that 'normal' X3 has a 441lb nose weight limit, mine is limited to 220lb. This isn't a problem for me as nearly all European drawbars are limited to that and most caravan hitches are limited to 300lb. I would still double check the spec of your tow hitch to ensure it matches the 441lb rating of your car and allow for the fact that anything in the trunk will be added to the load on the suspension, reducing the allowed nose weight. Fitting a WHD to the trailer will add weight to the trailer hitch further impacting the total load on the drawbar.

Thanks! That's interesting that the European limit is so much less. And I hadn't considered the weight of the WDH itself obviously would add to the total nose weight.

Sounds like we need to reevaluate and look at models with a lower hitch weight.

Cheers!

Dilbert2402 · 01-26-2021, 10:37 AM

Remember I drive the hybrid version where the petrol tank is under the boot, hence the reduced nose weight limit.

Admiral · 01-26-2021, 05:06 PM

My X Line is 100Kg

lambo13 · 02-02-2021, 07:44 AM

Sorry to bring this up, but we're looking to rent a trailer while we continue our RV hunt and one of the renters is hesitant to rent to us, despite their trailer being well within the limits of our X3. The reasoning was that they use a WDH and have read that unibody construction vehicles shouldn't use WDH as they can damage the frame.

Is there anything from BMW that says one way or another that a WDH can or can't be used?

01-24-2021, 08:10 PM	#1
lambo13 New Member 7 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M240i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	Drawbar Nose Weight Looking at purchasing a trailer and wondering about the impact of a WDH on drawbar nose weight. The trailer I’m looking at has a hitch weight of 502 lbs which obviously exceeds the 441 lbs drawbar nose weight that my 2020 X3 M40i is rated at. Would a WDH move enough weight off the hitch to the front axle to put it within the rated spec?
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01-25-2021, 05:56 AM	#2
Dilbert2402 Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 280 Posts Drives: X3 G01 30e Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England iTrader: (0)	I'm really surprised to read that 'normal' X3 has a 441lb nose weight limit, mine is limited to 220lb. This isn't a problem for me as nearly all European drawbars are limited to that and most caravan hitches are limited to 300lb. I would still double check the spec of your tow hitch to ensure it matches the 441lb rating of your car and allow for the fact that anything in the trunk will be added to the load on the suspension, reducing the allowed nose weight. Fitting a WHD to the trailer will add weight to the trailer hitch further impacting the total load on the drawbar.
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01-26-2021, 10:37 AM	#4
Dilbert2402 Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 280 Posts Drives: X3 G01 30e Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England iTrader: (0)	Remember I drive the hybrid version where the petrol tank is under the boot, hence the reduced nose weight limit.
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01-26-2021, 05:06 PM	#5
Admiral Lieutenant 776 Rep 593 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 2.0D X Line G01 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Cymru UK iTrader: (0)	My X Line is 100Kg
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02-02-2021, 07:44 AM	#6
lambo13 New Member 7 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M240i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	Sorry to bring this up, but we're looking to rent a trailer while we continue our RV hunt and one of the renters is hesitant to rent to us, despite their trailer being well within the limits of our X3. The reasoning was that they use a WDH and have read that unibody construction vehicles shouldn't use WDH as they can damage the frame. Is there anything from BMW that says one way or another that a WDH can or can't be used?
	Appreciate 0 Quote