Towing A Trailer - BMW M5 Owner's Handbook Manual

Towing a trailer

Vehicle equipment
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and special equipment available for the
model series. Therefore equipment which is not
installed in your vehicle, for example on account
of the optional equipment selected or the coun‐
try specification, may also be described here.
This also applies to safety-relevant functions and
systems. Comply with the relevant laws and reg‐
ulations when using the corresponding functions
and systems.
General
The permitted trailer loads, axle loads, trailer
nose weights and gross vehicle weight rating are
specified in the technical data.
Consult a Service Partner of the manufacturer or
another qualified Service Partner or a specialist
workshop about options for increasing the loads.
The vehicle is equipped with reinforced springs
on the rear axle and, depending on the type, with
a more powerful cooling system.
For Australia/New Zealand:
note
Towing
The Australian/New Zealand Standards AS
4177.1-2004 Caravan and light Towing a trailer
components – trailer tow hitches and towing
brackets contains the following statement, which
is hereby accepted by the BMW Group Australia:
FOR TOWING ONLY. The towbar supplied with
your BMW vehicle should only be used for tow‐
ing purposes, the towbar assembly should not be
used in conjunction with any towbar-mounted
Online Edition for Part no. 01402989787 - II/18

Towing a trailer

carrying device, such as, for example, a bicycle
carrying rack.
As all BMW Group towbar assemblies are de‐
signed, tested and approved as a single unit, the
practice of modifying or replacing the BMW sup‐
plied towball mount assembly is not approved.
Use only the genuine BMW towball mount as‐
sembly.
BMW Group Australia does not recommend or
support the installation and use of a Weight Dis‐
tribution Hitch or Load Levelling Device on any
BMW Group vehicle. The use of such devices
may affect the vehicle's warranty status.
We recommend you consult your Authorised
BMW Dealer for any further advice or clarifica‐
tion.
Before a journey
Trailer nose weight
The trailer nose weight should not be less than
the minimum trailer nose weight of 25 kg, 55 lb.
Utilise the maximum trailer nose weight as much
as possible.
The weight of the trailer tow hitch and the nose
weight reduce the maximum load of the towing
vehicle. The nose weight increases the vehicle
weight. Do not exceed the permitted total weight
of the towing vehicle.
Loads
Distribute the load as evenly as possible over the
loading area.
Stow the load as low as possible and as close as
possible to the trailer axle. A low centre of trailer
gravity makes the vehicle combination much
more stable and safe to drive.
The permitted total weight of the trailer and the
permitted trailer load of the vehicle must not be
DRIVING HINTS
295