BMW 840Ci Owner's Handbook Manual page 125

Towing a trailer
124
The use of a stabilizing device can be
recommended, particularly if the
trailer is a heavy one. Information can
be obtained from BMW Service.
Nose weight
This is the load exerted downwards by
the trailer on the ball head of the tow
hitch attached to the rear of the car (it
can be determined with the aid of
bathroom scales or similar).
In Germany a minimum nose weight of
25 kg (55 lb) is laid down by law.
If the trailer weighs more than 1600kg
(3527 lb), the nose weight must be at
least 50kg (110 lb).
The nose weight limit should if possi-
ble be fully utilized but not exceeded.
The trailer's nose weight is added to
the weight of the car, and must not
lead to the car's gross weight limit or
rear axle load limit being exceeded.
The car's payload is reduced by the
nose weight if a trailer is being towed,
and also by the weight of the trailer
tow hitch.
Loading
When loading the trailer, make sure
that the weight is kept as low as pos-
sible and stowed if possible close to
the axle.
A low centre of trailer gravity makes
the outfit much more stable and safe
to drive.
Do not exceed neither the trailer's
gross weight (axle load) or the speci-
fied trailer load limit for the car. The
smaller value is the limit which should
be adhered to.
Before acquiring a trailer it is desirable
to obtain from the manufacturer a
guaranteed statement of the effective
trailer weight and the payload limit.
Electrical system
Higher electrical consumption can be
expected if a trailer (caravan) is towed.
Run high-consumption items in par-
ticular for as short a period as possi-
ble in order to avoid draining the
battery.
The trailer's rear lights, brake lights
and rear fog light are protected by
plug-in fuses in the trailer electrical
module. This is behind the left luggage
compartment trim. The fuse for the
permanently positive line is in the lug-
gage compartment, next to the left
battery, in a separate fuse box.
a
Always check that the trailer's
rear lights are working before starting
a journey.c
Outside mirrors
The standard outside mirrors may
prove inadequate for trailer towing
work: the law lays down that the car
should be equipped with two outside
mirrors with which the rear corners of
the trailer can be seen. Mirrors of this
kind, including versions with adjust-
able arms, can be obtained from
BMW Service.
Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 9 790 191 - © 12/98 BMW AG