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EnglishDRIVING HINTS -> Towing a trailer for your BMW 1 Series 2019-2024
Towing a trailer
DRIVING HINTS
Towing a trailer
towbar-mounted carrying device, such as, for ex‐
ample, a bicycle carrying rack.
Vehicle equipment
As all BMW Group towbar assemblies are de‐
signed, tested and approved as a single unit, the
practice of modifying or replacing the BMW sup‐
plied towball mount assembly is not approved.
Use only the genuine BMW towball mount as‐
sembly.
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and optional equipment available for the
model series. It may therefore describe equip‐
ment and functions which are not installed in
your vehicle, for example on account of the spe‐
cial equipment selected or the country specifica‐
tion. This also applies to safety-relevant func‐
tions and systems. Please comply with the
relevant laws and regulations when using the
corresponding functions and systems.
BMW Group Australia does not recommend or
support the installation and use of a Weight Dis‐
tribution Hitch or Load Levelling Device on any
BMW Group vehicle. The use of such devices
may affect the vehicle's warranty status.
We recommend you consult your Authorised
BMW Dealer for any further advice or clarifica‐
tion.
General
The permitted trailer loads, axle loads, trailer
nose weights and gross vehicle weight rating are
specified in the technical data.
Before a journey
Consult a Service Partner of the manufacturer or
another qualified Service Partner or a specialist
workshop about options for increasing the loads.
Trailer nose weight
The trailer nose weight should not be less than
the minimum trailer nose weight of 25 kg, 55 lb.
Utilise the maximum trailer nose weight as far as
possible.
The vehicle is equipped with reinforced springs
on the rear axle and, depending on the type, with
a more powerful cooling system.
The weight of the trailer tow hitch and the nose
weight reduce the maximum load of the towing
vehicle. The nose weight increases the vehicle
weight. Do not exceed the permitted total weight
of the towing vehicle.
For Australia/New Zealand:
note
Towing
The Australian/New Zealand Standards AS
Loads
4177.1-2004 Caravan and light Towing a trailer
components – trailer tow hitches and towing
brackets contains the following statement, which
is hereby accepted by the BMW Group Australia:
FOR TOWING ONLY. The trailer tow hitch sup‐
plied with your BMW vehicle should only be used
for towing purposes, the trailer tow hitch assem‐
bly should not be used in conjunction with any
Distribute the load as evenly as possible over the
loading area.
Stow the load as low as possible and as close as
possible to the trailer axle. A low centre of trailer
gravity makes the car/trailer combination much
more stable and safe to drive.
The permitted total weight of the trailer and the
permitted trailer load of the vehicle must not be
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Towing a trailer
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exceeded. The lower value is the limit which
should be adhered to.
Not Australia/New Zealand: Trailer
rear lights
The power output of the trailer's rear lights must
not exceed the following values:
Tyre inflation pressure
Check the vehicle's and the trailer's tyre inflation
pressures carefully.
▷ Turn indicators: 42 watt per side.
▷ Tail lights: 50 watt per side.
▷ Brake lights: 84 watt total.
On the vehicle, the tyre inflation pressure for
higher loads applies.
▷ Rear fog lights: 42 watt total.
▷ Reversing lights: 42 watt total.
For information about the tyre inflation pressure,
see page 284.
For the trailer, the regulations of the manufac‐
turer apply.
Australia/New Zealand: Trailer rear
lights
▷ Turn indicators: 54 watt per side.
▷ Tail lights: 100 watt in total.
▷ Brake lights: 108 watt total.
▷ Reversing lights: 54 watt total.
Runflat indicator RPA
Initialise the runflat indicator, see page 301, after
the tyre inflation pressure has been corrected or
a trailer has been attached or detached.
Tyre Pressure Monitor TPM
Reset the Tyre Pressure Monitor, see page 294,
after the tyre inflation pressure has been correc‐
ted or a trailer has been attached or detached.
Towing a trailer
General
When the trailer socket is in use, some driver as‐
sistance systems are unavailable, or available to a
limited extent. A Check Control message is
shown where applicable.
Exterior mirror
Two exterior mirrors which bring both rear cor‐
ners of the trailer into your field of view are re‐
quired by law. Mirrors of this type are available as
special equipment from a Service Partner of the
manufacturer or another qualified Service Partner
or a specialist workshop.
Safety notes
WARNING
Speeds in excess of approximately 80 km/h,
50 mph, can be enough to produce snaking
motion, depending on the design of trailers and
the loads they are carrying. There is a risk of
accident or material damage.
Power consumption
General
Before beginning your journey, check the func‐
tion of the trailer rear lights.
Keep to an appropriate speed when towing a
trailer. If the trailer starts to snake, brake imme‐
diately and make the necessary steering cor‐
rections as carefully as possible.
When towing a caravan, keep the activation
times of power consumers short to avoid placing
an excessive load on the vehicle battery.
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WARNING
High loads and high outside
temperature
The tyre inflation pressure must be adapted
because of the increased axle load when tow‐
ing a trailer. Driving with inadequate tyre infla‐
tion pressure can damage the tyres. There is a
risk of accident or material damage. Do not ex‐
ceed a speed of 100 km/h / 60 mph. Increase
the tyre inflation pressure of the towing vehicle
by 0.2 bar. Note the maximum possible tyre in‐
flation pressure stated on the tyre.
NOTE
On long journeys with high trailer loads, a high
outside temperature and a low fuel tank con‐
tent, the fuel system can overheat leading to
reduced engine power. There is a risk of mate‐
rial damage. Refuel in good time. Make sure
that on long journeys with high trailer loads and
a high outside temperature, the fuel tank is
more than 1/4 full.
Upward gradients
General
In the interest of safety and to avoid holding up
other traffic, do not attempt to climb upward gra‐
dients steeper than 12 % when towing a trailer.
Trailer Stability Control
Principle
The system helps you to neutralise a trailer's
tendency to swing from side to side.
If higher trailer loads have been retrospectively
approved, the limit is 8%.
Trailer Stability Control detects snaking move‐
ments and promptly brakes the vehicle so that
road speed falls to below the critical range and
the car/trailer combination is stabilised.
Driving off on upward gradients
The parking brake is automatically released
when the accelerator pedal is operated.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling back when
driving off, use the parking brake.
General
If the power socket for the trailer is in use but no
trailer is attached, for example when using a bicy‐
cle carrier with lighting, the system may become
active in extreme driving situations.
1.
Shortly before driving off, pull and re‐
lease the switch.
The parking brake is engaged.
2. Accelerate sufficiently to drive off.
Operating requirements
The system is operational from a speed of ap‐
proximately 65 km/h, 40 mph, when towing a
trailer and with the trailer socket in use.
Downhill gradients
On downward gradients, a car/trailer combination
tends to start snaking earlier.
System limits
The system is unable to intervene or intervenes
too late, in the following situations for example:
Before the downward gradient, shift down man‐
ually to the next-lowest gear and drive down‐
wards slowly.
▷ If a trailer folds instantly, for example on slip‐
pery or loose road surfaces.
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Towing a trailer
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▷ If a trailer with a high centre of gravity tips
over before snaking is detected.
WARNING
▷ If Dynamic Stability Control DSC is deactiva‐
ted or has malfunctioned.
If the ball linkage is not locked, unstable driving
conditions or accidents can result. There is a
risk of accident or material damage. Before a
journey with a trailer or load carrier, check that
the ball linkage is correctly locked.
▷ If the power consumption of a trailer is too
low to be detected by the system, for exam‐
ple due to LED rear lights.
Storage
Activating towing a trailer
mode
Removable ball linkage is located under luggage
compartment floor.
Principle
Ball linkage bracket
When driving with a trailer or load carrier and the
trailer socket occupied, some driver assistance
systems may have functional limitations or may
malfunction. In order to avoid malfunctions, acti‐
vate towing a trailer mode.
Activating towing a trailer mode
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
The bracket for the ball linkage is on the under‐
side of the vehicle.
2. "Vehicle settings"
3. "Trailer mode"
Follow the maintenance instructions, see
page 345.
4. Activate towing a trailer mode.
Not for Australia/New
Overview
Zealand: Trailer tow hitch
Safety notes
WARNING
Parts of the body can become trapped when
inserting the ball linkage. There is a risk of in‐
jury. When inserting the ball linkage, make sure
that the area of movement is kept clear.
1
2
3
Lock display
Lock
Handwheel
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Towing a trailer
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Indicator on the ball linkage
The lock is open if the handwheel can be
pressed, arrow 1.
The colour of the indicator on the ball linkage
shows the locking status.
Pre-tensioning the handwheel
Colour
Locking status
If the indicator is orange, pre-tension the hand‐
wheel:
Red
Lock open, ball linkage
can be inserted or re‐
moved.
1. Hold ball linkage firmly.
2. Press the handwheel, arrow 1, and turn in di‐
rection of the arrow as far as it will go, ar‐
row 2.
Green
Lock closed, ball link‐
age is fitted firmly.
Orange
Lock closed, ball link‐
age is not fitted firmly.
Attaching ball linkage
Operating requirements
The ball linkage can be inserted if the following
conditions are met:
3. Handwheel engages.
▷ The lock is open.
▷ The indicator on the handwheel is red.
Inserting ball linkage
1. Pull bracket cover downwards and store in
the vehicle.
Opening the lock
Open the lock with the key supplied.
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2. Insert the ball linkage from underneath into
the bracket and push upwards, arrow 1.
Removing ball linkage
1. Fold up the lock cover.
2. Insert key and unlock the lock in the hand‐
wheel.
3. Remove the key.
4. Hold ball linkage firmly.
5. Press the handwheel, arrow 1, and turn in di‐
rection of arrow as far as it will go, arrow 2.
3. Pull the ball linkage backwards until it en‐
gages, arrow 2.
The ball linkage is inserted correctly if the indica‐
tor on the handwheel is green.
Locking the lock
The lock is used for preventing theft.
6. Pull the ball linkage out of the bracket.
7. Release the handwheel.
1. Insert the key into the lock.
2. Lock the lock in the handwheel.
3. Remove the key.
8. Insert cover in bracket.
Trailer socket
General
The socket is underneath the bumper next to the
bracket for the ball linkage.
Checking the interlock
Ensure that the ball linkage is properly engaged
by shaking it.
If the ball linkage is not fitted firmly, check the
following points:
▷ The indicator on the handwheel is green.
▷ Ball linkage is lying flush in the bracket.
▷ The lock is locked and the key is removed.
Safety notes
WARNING
If the indicator on the handwheel is not green,
pre-tension the handwheel, see page 264.
The socket for the trailer or rear luggage rack
can heat up due to exhaust gases. There is a
risk of injury. Allow the trailer socket to cool be‐
fore swivelling out.
If the ball linkage is not flush with the bracket,
clean the bracket and the ball linkage, see
page 263.
If the lock is locked, open it, see page 264.
Check with a Service Partner of the manufac‐
turer or another qualified Service Partner or a
specialist workshop if all points are met and the
ball linkage is not firmly fitted.
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Towing a trailer
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WARNING
Operating rear luggage
racks
The socket for the trailer or rear luggage rack is
located near to protruding parts of the vehicle
body. There is a risk of injury. Do not touch any
parts of the body when swivelling the trailer
socket in and out.
The ball linkage of the trailer tow hitch can be
used as a mount for rear luggage racks; for ex‐
ample bicycle rack systems.
Note the information on rear luggage racks when
operating the rear luggage rack, see page 258.
Swivelling in and out
1. Grip the socket at the side.
2. Swivel the socket out or in up to the end po‐
sition. To make it easier to swivel, pull the
socket back slightly.
Eye for securing cable
There is an eye on the trailer tow hitch bracket
for attaching the trailer securing cable.
For increased safety when towing a trailer, attach
the trailer securing cable to the eye.
Check that the securing cable can move freely
and is not dragging on the ground.
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