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Topic: BMW X2 as a tow vehicle.

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Gaznmuddy

29/5/2025 at 3:48pm
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Hello everyone.
My wife and I are complete caravan novices but are looking to purchase in the near future. We currently own a 2023 BMW X2 which we love as a daily vehicle and are loathe to change it unless absolutely necessary.
Specs for the car are: 2.0 litre petrol M Sport Xdrive, 8 speed step auto gearbox 4 wheel drive. It has a kerb weight of 1640 kg, 175 BHP and 280 Nm of torque with a braked tow weight of 2000kg.
Given our inexperience we are sticking to the 85% rule.
Our first question is: does anyone have experience of the car as a tow vehicle as we have never seen one towing anything.
If not, could anyone advise us, given the stats, if it would be suitable for towing, we are considering a two berth of around 1394 kg MTPLM.
Third, we have read somewhere that BMWs may need additional lubricants to assist the gearing etc, can anyone throw any light on this.
Finally, for now☺️has anyone bought a two berth and then gone on to change it due to size/convenience etc (there will only ever be two of us using it).
Sorry for the long post but any help and advice would be most welcome.

Many thanks.

clbewi

30/5/2025 at 8:23am
Location: Essex
Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017

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What do you mean by additional lubricants?
Oil cooler? Never heard of it. I tow with with an X series and our previous car was, to never had any issues at all.
Some earlier VW Touaregs had reported cooling issues but I to wed with one of them to no issues at all. All of these were diesels.

Before dipping your toe into the world of touring caravans, do your research as mistakes are costly.
A tow bar on your car with ( with dedicated wiring) which will be a must on your current car you won’t be getting much change out of £1K.

As far as the caravan goes, go and look at as many as you can to get the feel of them layouts etc.often what you think you would like is not what you end up with.
For example fixed bed or are you happy with making up beds every night, which in a small van can be a pain when having to store bedding during the day.

With your current car and if you want to stick to the 85% guide lines ( there are no rules) you are limiting your choice.
Good luck with your search.

-------------
Claire and Colin

JuanHuNose

30/5/2025 at 2:55pm
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Used to have a 5 series touring (520D) which apparently needed addition oil cooling to pull a caravan. Ignored that and did many thousands of miles dragging 1500kgs of `van with an inflatable awning in the boot with a second `fridge and an inflatable canoe along with all the usual stuff which we need `just in case`...Oh, and a couple of inflatable bikes on the roof as well.

I eventually got rid as it did start to get overly hot coming up Windy Hill (J23-J22 M62 eastbound). By then it had 177.000 miles on the clock so it made no sense to spend money on it.

On that basis, I don`t think I`d spend money on any mods unless it`s proven that you need to.

blueexpo97

30/5/2025 at 3:47pm
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Now I would love to see an inflatable bike.

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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

Paul and Nikki

via mobile 31/5/2025 at 9:52pm
Location: Stoke on Trent
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus Modena 2016

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We had a 2 litre diesel BMW active tourer and used it to tow a 1300kg Bailey Modena around, don't imagine the kerb weight would be much different and ours was 190bhp, I reckon you would be ok with the car and caravan but might cost a bit more in fuel (probably looking at around 18-20mpg whilst towing).

Think it was recommended to fit an oil cooler to ours but we didn't bother and never had any issues, not sure if it was for the transmission but that rings a bell, it should tell you in your car manufacturers handbook

JuanHuNose

31/5/2025 at 10:22pm
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Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 30/5/2025
Now I would love to see an inflatable bike.

Should have read `electric` bike. By the time I`ve lifted them onto the roof I haven`t enough puff left to blow out a match.

g4ry

via mobile 07/6/2025 at 6:28pm
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I tow with an x1, no problems at all

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