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03-11-2012, 07:10 PM | #1 |
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Boat towing
I installed a hitch on my 135i several months ago but haven't had the opportunity to use it until now. Just bought a 16" 1972 Starcraft aluminum boat yesterday and towed it home. It didn't feel too bad towing it. The boat, trailer, and engine weigh ~1200-1400 lbs I would guess. Anyway, it's pretty funny watching the little 135i tow a boat that looks bigger than it is.
I will post some pictures sometime in the near future. And before you hate on me for towing a boat with my 135i: I don't care. I am a semi-poor student working on my PhD and can't afford the several thousand for pickup and insurance to tow a boat a few times a year. Unfortunately my tow hitch came with a defective wiring harness and the tail lights don't work due to some electrical issue. I'm going to get a new harness and will put it in and hopefully get it all working. Now I just need to learn how to do some minor boat work (the plywood floor has a 2x1 ft rectangular area of soft flooring). |
03-11-2012, 07:20 PM | #2 |
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Thats pretty interesting...you'll have to post up some pict's for sure.
Just a little advice, when you launch your boat w/ a small vehicle w/ rwd, be sure you will have enough traction (especailly if on an incline) when releasing the boat/trailer into the water. I've personally seen a car roll back into a lake from lack of traction. Kinda scary...
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03-11-2012, 10:41 PM | #3 |
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Yeah, I have heard of issues with that. I convinced my parents to buy a hitch for their minivan and will hopefully be able to borrow it whenever I need to launch from a steeper incline.
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03-12-2012, 12:10 PM | #4 |
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Another precaution, the 135i has a short wheel base, towing something in high winds like you find in a mountain pass on the way to the lake can be exciting.
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03-12-2012, 01:14 PM | #5 |
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towing a boat with my car would sketch me out so badly haha
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03-12-2012, 06:50 PM | #7 |
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Went out to a local reservoir today. The boat was a little slow with a 9.9 HP motor and 4 people, but it was still fun. Launching is a little scary. I had to get the exhaust slightly in the water in order to get the boat to come off the trailer.
As I was leaving a local police officer pulled up and told he he couldn't believe he was watching a BMW 1 series tow a boat. I said it was kind of funny and he replied that it was hilarious. I guess it is. The boat is taller and longer than the car. |
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03-13-2012, 01:53 PM | #8 |
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I also had a hitch installed on my wife's 128i auto. Use it to pull a 3 seater sea-doo. Took it all over the place last summer, no problems what so ever, pulls good handles good with trailer attached and had no problems pulling a sea-doo out of water at all kinds of grassy and muddy launch ramps The only reason I did not put it on my 135i just because it's a manual and to be honest I was afraid of smoking the clutch. but honestly with the quality of the traction control on these cars you got nothing to worry about
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03-13-2012, 06:03 PM | #9 |
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I have a manual and the hill assist really helps. I had no traction issues even with the rear tires in the water. Thankfully, the boat isn't very heavy and I have some very grippy tires (Michelin PSS).
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03-15-2012, 09:42 AM | #12 |
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Amazing. it doesn't have proper cup holders, but you can tow a boat with it.
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03-15-2012, 11:33 AM | #13 | |
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Especially for a boat that I will use 10 times a year. |
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03-15-2012, 11:40 AM | #14 | |
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03-15-2012, 06:58 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
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03-15-2012, 08:49 PM | #18 |
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03-16-2012, 08:37 PM | #19 |
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BMWs are designed for the towing! I have pulled lots of stuff with my '88 535i. The E28 even has a smaller wheelbase than the E82/88.
Now you guys have just answered my question whether or not the 135i is good at towing. |
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03-19-2012, 03:09 PM | #20 |
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I tow my Doo with no issues. My room mate tows his 18' Seadoo Challenger with his 335xi with no issues either. We both have custom heavy duty hitches.
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03-28-2012, 09:26 AM | #21 |
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Put smaller tires on the trailer - like standard 12". This will allow you to launch without backing so far into the water + real trailer tires vs. car tires will reduce the amount of trailer sway.
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03-29-2012, 12:31 PM | #22 |
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LOL thats looks so crazy!!
I used to always tow the sea doo's with the 1984 volvo 240..that little turbo could tow
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