Weight

• The towing limit of the BMW is more than sufficient (check this in your vehicle documents).
• If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997, you will need a B+E (or B96) driving license.
• Weight ratio between the laden caravan and the loaded car is 71%. Common in the UK: the weight ratio between the laden caravan and the kerbweight of the car is 79%.
• The chance of snaking is relatively small at normal speed, if the caravan is well loaded.
• Recommended noseweight is 75 kg.
• Safe speed up to 62 mph (100 km/h).
• Stability and safety score to compare is 185 points.

If the caravan starts to snake you should reduce your speed and slow down directly! Lift your feet off the accelerator and brake gradually. Hold the steering wheel into a fixed position.

Conclusion

• Performance is fairly good.
• Safe driving is possible.
• It's a perfect match!

Influence of User Payload on stability

Weight distribution and noseweight are vital in obtaining a stable caravan.

Distribute the User Payload by yourself in the caravan and the car and then find out the stability rating of your loading configuration.

More information

More detailed information and specifically calculated top speeds and performance of this outfit.

Specifications

User Reviews

Chris reviewed a BMW Touring 525i aut.:

"Last year I wrote rather an unflattering review about the BMW as a tow car - you'll probably see it listed here.

Since then I've used it to tow the 'van on a few more journeys and I think I need to revise what I initially said about the car.

My previous tow car was a turbo diesel so changing to a naturally aspirated petrol was something of a shock, whether towing or driving solo. I think it's taken me a while to defamiliarise myself with the very different power delivery.

The 525i still lacks a bit of something for towing but on our recent journey to Dorset and back it performed very adequately. The 'van was incredible stable on the back of the car and only once, when being overtaken at speed by a large coach, did I feel the 'van move significantly.

The power in the car in most cases was very good for pulling the 'van. Motorway speeds were easily maintained on flat sections and slight inclines. On longer inclines dropping the outbox down into 5th helped keep things moving along.

At 60mph in 6th gear the engine is hovering around 2000rpm so for a petrol engine to pull well at this speed is pretty good. in 5th at the same speed it's about 2500rpm so it's not like I'm red lining it to keep the inertia going.

Some A-road inclines did make the car work hard, though, and it's on these sections that I did miss the lazy low down torque of my old TDi.

Fuel economy isn't as dismal as it was now I'm used to driving the car properly either. Bearing in mind that on both the outward and return journeys a lot of the time was spent sat in slow moving traffic on the M5 the overall average was 22.2mpg, including about 50% motorway and 50% A-roads. On a good run the old Volvo would average about 26mpg pulling the van so I don't think early 20s is bad for a big thirsty petrol engine. I reckon on a clear run it would have achieved a bit more.

In conclusion, I'm much happier about the performance of the 525i as a tow car than I was previously. It's not perfect and it still lacks a bit of low down grunt but it's not enough to make me want to change that car anymore for the amount of towing mileage we're going to cover."

See more BMW 5-serie reviews.

Review your BMW

Tell other caravanners what you think of your BMW Touring 525i aut. towing a Knaus Lifestyle 500 LD (1315 kg).

Please write your review (in Englisch) below.
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