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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums Regional Forums UK Tow bar and towing experiences
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      07-01-2012, 02:05 PM   #1
shiner
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Tow bar and towing experiences

Very interested in fitting a tow bar and caravaning.

Anyone suggest a good place to get tow bar fitted? What's the 520d like for towing?

Thanks, Steve
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      07-15-2012, 04:38 PM   #2
Gordon4499
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kirkster View Post
Very interested in fitting a tow bar and caravaning.

Anyone suggest a good place to get tow bar fitted? What's the 520d like for towing?

Thanks, Steve
Hi Steve,

I opted for the BMW factory fit option but I previously fitted a Witter detachable swan neck to my A6 which was excellent. Expect to pay circa £500 for it fitted.

520d is the best tow car I have owned, it has a good nose weight limit (90kg) and the car is heavy (1710kg) which increases your options when buying a caravan. It was runner up in this category in the What Car tow car test this year (albeit the Touring model) so don’t just take my word for it.

The F10 also has an impressive 2000kg tow limit but you should never tow more than the kerb weight.

Gordon..
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      07-15-2012, 05:07 PM   #3
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I had a witter detachable fitted by CDF in Coventry cost me £450 inc bmw wiring loom. 13 pin electrics which fold up albeit manually. When the tow bar is detached you can't see anything at all, very neat. The wiring loom fitted turns off the parking sensors and puts on the trailer stability. The reverse camera also show a towing symbol so the reverse parking symbols have dissapeared. All in all a i'm really happy. The car tows brilliant. I have a van with a loaded weight of 1545kg and the car has towed without an incident and very easliy.
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      07-29-2012, 04:43 AM   #4
shiner
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Excellent thanks guys.
Factory fit for sure on next new car. But this is a hand me down F11 2010 by my company so I need to have one fitted. BMW dealer price for a detachable is absurd - £2000 !!! (and from what I can find all BMW do is send it to a towbar fitter down the road and triple the price...) Apparently, BMW also recommend a fan upgrade as well - at a cost of £500 for the fan alone (400W to 600W). Consensus amongst most fitters is that this is totally unnecessary unless you are on a stop/start tow of to the top of the Alps in 50C !
Steve
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      08-17-2012, 08:33 AM   #5
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Try PF Jones. I had mine fitted by one of tgheir mobile fitters who was very helpful.
Cost £480 for a Westfalia (OEM) detachable single electrics and fitted in 2.5 hours. Really neat install with electrics swivelling out of sight so wouldn't know there's a tow bar fitted.
Great towing vehicle, just done 300+ miles with 3 dinghy's on the back (yes it was about twice as tall as the car!!!) and plenty trps with loaded 14' flat bed trailer.
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      07-03-2015, 12:44 PM   #6
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I know it's an old post but I'd like to revive it.

I have a F11 and would like a towbar fitted with car specific electrics.

Recommendations and costs (2015) most welcome.

Thanks
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