Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: BMW toad (Read 1054 times) previous topic - next topic

BMW toad

Has anyone pulled a manual transmission BMW 325 as a toad? And if so do you have to do anything special. I was hopeful of using my 2001 manual BMW as my toad since I already own it.
Thanks for any help, Gary





Gary & Tammy Bell
Working on our coach to hit the road

1996 Foretravel U295 40' build #  4782
Cummins 350

Re: BMW toad

Reply #1 –
Read your owners manual about towing. Most manual transmission cars that are not specifically designed for towing will harm the transmission. Transfer case vehicles don't turn the transmission when towing if the trans. is put in gear and the transfer case put in neutral.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: BMW toad

Reply #2 –
We used to tow a Muncie trans Chevy race car.  Top shaft in the trans did not receive splash lube in neutral and towing from the drive shaft spinning.

We put a piece of wood between the drivers seat and the clutch pedal and pushed the clutch pedal to the floor.  Then put the trans in fourth gear.

Throw out bearing was spinning more but never had one fail.

A BMW trans guy might know if the trans can work in neutral or better in gear with the clutch depressed
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: BMW toad

Reply #3 –
Don't know the details of towing a specific manual transmission vehicle but would check other forums for your BMW. I have read about others wanting to tow three series.  I know our Toyota AWD RAV4 has to stop every 300 miles and idle for 5 minutes. May be a mechanical reason or a liability reason for your BMW's tow limitations if any. Nice to know what the exact reason is behind the recommendation.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: BMW toad

Reply #4 –
Thank you all for the information, as always very helpful, Great group
Gary & Tammy Bell
Working on our coach to hit the road

1996 Foretravel U295 40' build #  4782
Cummins 350

Re: BMW toad

Reply #5 –
I towed my BMW 325i convertible manual with no issue, just put it in neutral, key in to unlock the steering wheel and go.  Mine is rear wheel drive so I guess yours is too.  The challenge I got was no tow bracket avail in the market.  It got an unibody too so there's no solid frame to mount the bracket to. A local welding / trailer shop did a custom job for me.  Yes, love it.

Thanks,
Michael
Ex 2001 U295

Re: BMW toad

Reply #6 –
Had a 2002 [predecessor of 325] manual. Never had a problem towing it.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: BMW toad

Reply #8 –
Thanks for all the information, just what I needed.
It is nice to hear of others successful towing a 3 series Thanks again to all f you. Gary and Tammy
Gary & Tammy Bell
Working on our coach to hit the road

1996 Foretravel U295 40' build #  4782
Cummins 350

Re: BMW toad

Reply #9 –
We were at Blue Ox this summer and met a couple with a early 90's BMW and a SOB. Blue Ox did a fabulous job designing the base plate. Installation was amamzing, could hardly tell the car was set up for towing.
Jim & Sue
Eagan - Standard Schnauzer
2001 42ft U 320
Build # 5868
Motorcade # 17484