[chau]

From what I've read, the 335d is rated for 4000lbs towing capacity but only 200lbs of tongue weight.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Thanks for the input. So a 900 pound trailer and a 1000-1300 pound car loaded on it. How do I calculate what the tongue weight would be?

You generally want it to be 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight, not to exceed the rated capacity of the tow car or it's trailer hitch.

Europeans often go a bit lighter than 10%, which is why the 335D may be rated to tow more than what would result in 10% tongue weight over there. This is because Europeans tow slower than American typically do. The towing speed limit over there is typically 80-90km/hr, and it is RIGIDLY enforced. The faster you go, the more tongue weight matters to prevent trailer sway.

[Jsoboti]

What about a non diesel 335i? Id like to tow my motorcycle to the track with my E92 335i M sport. I figure the trailer would be small, probably 4x6 or 4x7 and weigh less than 500 lbs. then the bike itself weighs about 400lbs and then some gear so figure about 1000-1200 lbs total

[BMW_Belgier]

Originally Posted by Jsoboti

What about a non diesel 335i? Id like to tow my motorcycle to the track with my E92 335i M sport. I figure the trailer would be small, probably 4x6 or 4x7 and weigh less than 500 lbs. then the bike itself weighs about 400lbs and then some gear so figure about 1000-1200 lbs total

It does the job just as good!

[CosmosMpower]

Originally Posted by chau

From what I've read, the 335d is rated for 4000lbs towing capacity but only 200lbs of tongue weight.

Hrmm, 1200 pound car and 900 pound trailer is 2100 lbs, take 10% of that and you're at 210 tongue weight. Would be pretty darn close.

[Team503]

I want to build a crapcan racer and tow it; think I could do it with my 335i 6AT?

[nicklockard]

Well she's a little dirty, but this is what I'm towing with my car:

Source album here on google pics.
My setup is:

• Execuhitch Hidden Hitch
• Air shocks in rear suspension of TV for load (ride attitude) compensation. Kept front coilovers for good ride control
• Hensley Arrow Cub anti-sway hitch + 600 lb tension (each) load leveler spring bars. The Hensley Arrow projects the hitch rotation point forward by 52". In this case, it puts it right ahead of the TV's rear axle centerline about 1/2"--functionally, it does what a 5th wheel apparatus does, but without raising the TV's Center of Gravity.
• Hayes Swaymaster gyroscope & GPS based electronic anti-sway brake system (interjects full brake command on sway algorithm output in emergency; passes-through on 'normal' conditions)
• Tuson DirecLink 200E OBD-based smart brake controller (always proportional to TV brake pedal % with user-selected biasing values for highway speeds & for slow speeds)
• 10" electric brakes (brand unknown)
• TheUltimateTrailer.com OHT4-X model, air-bagged, RO-RO trailer. Trailer has onboard 12V compressor + manual fill & vent auxillaries
• LED lighting on 7-pin connector: turn signals, brake & running lights
• Break-away emergency brake controller with recycled lithium ion motorcycle battery (can also run compressor for limited time)
• Upgraded tires to Nokian cLine 195/70R15 on upgraded 15" rims (e-trailer I think)
• Custom, shortened stinger I drew & had fabricated locally

Tow limits are:

• Car - 3890 lbs
• Towbar -4000 lbs
• Stinger-4000 lbs
• TV tires-1929/tire
• TV gross axle limits-2145 lbs front; 2662 lbs rear
• TV% of axle limits(%Safety margins) for F/R - 88% (12% reserve safety margin @ max tongue load) (front and rear)
• TV ride attitude @ max tongue loads - level @ 101 psi to air shocks
• TV corner balances under tow - +/- 50 kg range (needs improvement)
• Trailer Chassis limits - 4300 lbs @ perfect mass distribution; 4150 lbs under typical loading conditions (tolerance 75 lbs? CAD model & actuals testing not yet completed)
• Trailer airbag limits - 5000 lbs at 90 psi
• Trailer brake limits - 4000 lbs
• Trailer wheel limits - 4080 lbs
• Trailer tire limits - 3996 lbs @ max pressure
• Net limit 3890 lbs

Trailer rides @ 16.5" off deck. Empty trailer's center of gravity is below axle center-lines because I placed a custom rack for water & tools under there. Even stock it's Cg is very close to axle center-lines.
Heaviest loads carried so far:

• Moving load--I carried an 8' tall stack of friend's furniture & applicances weighing ~ 1750 lbs about 7 miles
• Static (test) load -- I lifted a friend's 3600 lb car to test airbags & where load Cg must be to overcome their de-leverage factor.

Planned upgrades & when I might do them:

• When I specc'ed this out and started the build I decided to future proof it as much as possible, so there is spare room & load capacity to change e-brakes to hydraulic disc brakes with accumulator & ABS(expensive upgrade). I may do this when towing commercial loads if I ever encounter ice, snow, scary driving conditions, etcetera-- if I calculate it substantially reduces risks.
• There's also room to do one more '+1' tire diameter up-size with higher load index but requires addition of 1/2" hub spacer with longer lug studs
• Within 90 days I will soon be adding 60 gallons fresh water + 60 gallons gray water tanks under the deck w/filla & drain ports easily accessed from the A-frame tonguer
• Soon adding a custom sheet metal, locking tool box for carrying load straps, torque bars, general tools weighing ~21 lbs
• Soon revising the A-frame's stock spare tire coupler/mount to an angle iron based (more rigid) bar for partly under-the-deck spare storage. This will form the back rigid base of the toolbox as well
• Soon revising my under-deck water rack (trim back for Cg shift toward ideal & keep 13" as special tool racking, etc...
• Soon revising the trailer jockey wheel to a 10" pneumatic, high caster European-style jockey wheel
• Designing a power movement system for jockey wheel--not ready for release yet

But for my needs so far, I am very satisfied with this setup. The biggest risk is forgetting I'm towing a load. It's very smooth in all regards including braking.

[nicklockard]

Well she's a little dirty, but this is what I'm towing with my car:

Source album here on google pics.
My setup is:

• Execuhitch Hidden Hitch
• Air shocks in rear suspension of TV for load (ride attitude) compensation. Kept front coilovers for good ride control
• Hensley Arrow Cub anti-sway hitch + 600 lb tension (each) load leveler spring bars. The Hensley Arrow projects the hitch rotation point forward by 52". In this case, it puts it right ahead of the TV's rear axle centerline about 1/2"--functionally, it does what a 5th wheel apparatus does, but without raising the TV's Center of Gravity.
• Hayes Swaymaster gyroscope & GPS based electronic anti-sway brake system (interjects full brake command on sway algorithm output in emergency; passes-through on 'normal' conditions)
• Tuson DirecLink 200E OBD-based smart brake controller (always proportional to TV brake pedal % with user-selected biasing values for highway speeds & for slow speeds)
• 10" electric brakes (brand unknown)
• TheUltimateTrailer.com OHT4-X model, air-bagged, RO-RO trailer. Trailer has onboard 12V compressor + manual fill & vent auxillaries
• LED lighting on 7-pin connector: turn signals, brake & running lights
• Break-away emergency brake controller with recycled lithium ion motorcycle battery (can also run compressor for limited time)
• Upgraded tires to Nokian cLine 195/70R15 on upgraded 15" rims (e-trailer I think)
• Custom, shortened stinger I drew & had fabricated locally

Tow limits are:

• Car - 3890 lbs
• Towbar -4000 lbs
• Stinger-4000 lbs
• TV tires-1929/tire
• TV gross axle limits-2145 lbs front; 2662 lbs rear
• TV% of axle limits(%Safety margins) for F/R - 88% (12% reserve safety margin @ max tongue load) (front and rear)
• TV ride attitude @ max tongue loads - level @ 101 psi to air shocks
• TV corner balances under tow - +/- 50 kg range (needs improvement)
• Trailer Chassis limits - 4300 lbs @ perfect mass distribution; 4150 lbs under typical loading conditions (tolerance 75 lbs? CAD model & actuals testing not yet completed)
• Trailer airbag limits - 5000 lbs at 90 psi
• Trailer brake limits - 4000 lbs
• Trailer wheel limits - 4080 lbs
• Trailer tire limits - 3996 lbs @ max pressure
• Net limit 3890 lbs

Trailer rides @ 16.5" off deck. Empty trailer's center of gravity is below axle center-lines because I placed a custom rack for water & tools under there. Even stock it's Cg is very close to axle center-lines.
Heaviest loads carried so far:

• Moving load--I carried an 8' tall stack of friend's furniture & applicances weighing ~ 1750 lbs about 7 miles
• Static (test) load -- I lifted a friend's 3600 lb car to test airbags & where load Cg must be to overcome their de-leverage factor.

Planned upgrades & when I might do them:

• When I specc'ed this out and started the build I decided to future proof it as much as possible, so there is spare room & load capacity to change e-brakes to hydraulic disc brakes with accumulator & ABS(expensive upgrade). I may do this when towing commercial loads if I ever encounter ice, snow, scary driving conditions, etcetera-- if I calculate it substantially reduces risks.
• There's also room to do one more '+1' tire diameter up-size with higher load index but requires addition of 1/2" hub spacer with longer lug studs
• Within 90 days I will soon be adding 60 gallons fresh water + 60 gallons gray water tanks under the deck w/filla & drain ports easily accessed from the A-frame tonguer
• Soon adding a custom sheet metal, locking tool box for carrying load straps, torque bars, general tools weighing ~21 lbs
• Soon revising the A-frame's stock spare tire coupler/mount to an angle iron based (more rigid) bar for partly under-the-deck spare storage. This will form the back rigid base of the toolbox as well
• Soon revising my under-deck water rack (trim back for Cg shift toward ideal & keep 13" as special tool racking, etc...
• Soon revising the trailer jockey wheel to a 10" pneumatic, high caster European-style jockey wheel
• Designing a power movement system for jockey wheel--not ready for release yet

But for my needs so far, I am very satisfied with this setup. The biggest risk is forgetting I'm towing a load. It's very smooth in all regards including braking.

[Fritzer]

I wouldn't. If you were to tow with a BMW the best would be something like an E70 X5d.

Make an E36 track car though!

[nikkireed]

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Thanks for the input. So a 900 pound trailer and a 1000-1300 pound car loaded on it. How do I calculate what the tongue weight would be?

it can be weight by using weight "KANAT" mostly use in Asia but you can contact the local service provider queens towing services