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EnglishDRIVING HINTS -> Towing a trailer for your BMW 2 Series 2014-2021
Towing a trailer
DRIVING HINTS
Towing a trailer
carrying device, such as, for example, 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 special equipment available for the
model series. It may therefore describe equip‐
ment which is not installed in your vehicle, for ex‐
ample on account of the optional equipment se‐
lected or the country variant. This also applies to
safety-relevant functions 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
Possibilities to increase are known to a Service
Partner of the manufacturer or another qualified
Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
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. The total permitted weight of the towing
vehicle must not be exceeded.
For Australia/New Zealand:
note
Towing
Loads
The Australian/New Zealand Standards AS
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 towbar supplied with
your BMW vehicle should only be used for tow‐
ing purposes, the towbar assembly should not be
used in conjunction with any towbar-mounted
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.
Towing a trailer
General
Tyre inflation pressure
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.
Check the vehicle's and the trailer's tyre inflation
pressures carefully.
On the vehicle, the tyre inflation pressure, see
page 256, for higher loads applies.
For the trailer, the regulations of the manufac‐
turer apply.
Safety notes
WARNING
Runflat indicator RPA
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 danger of
accidents or damage to property.
Initialise the runflat indicator after the tyre infla‐
tion pressure has been corrected or a trailer has
been attached or detached.
Tyre Pressure Monitor TPM
Reset the Tyre Pressure Monitor after the tyre
inflation pressure has been corrected or a trailer
has been attached or detached.
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.
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.
WARNING
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
danger of accidents or damage to property. Do
not exceed a speed of 100 km/h / 60 mph. In‐
crease the tyre inflation pressure of the towing
vehicle by 0.2 bar. Note the maximum possible
tyre inflation pressure stated on the tyre.
Power consumption
Before beginning your journey, check the func‐
tion of the trailer rear lights.
The power output of the trailer's rear lights must
not exceed the following values:
▷ Turn indicators: 42 watt per side.
▷ Tail lights: 50 watt per side.
▷ Brake lights: 84 watt total.
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
▷ Rear fog lights: 42 watt total.
▷ Reversing lights: 42 watt total.
To save vehicle battery power when the engine
is off, keep the switch-on times of power con‐
sumers short.
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Towing a trailer
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a high outside temperature, the fuel tank is
more than 1/4 full.
System limits
The system is unable to intervene or intervenes
too late, in the following situations for example:
▷ If a trailer folds instantly, for example on slip‐
pery or loose road surfaces.
Upward gradients
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.
▷ If a trailer with a high centre of gravity tips
over before snaking is detected.
▷ If Dynamic Stability Control DSC is deactiva‐
ted or has malfunctioned.
If higher trailer loads have been retrospectively
approved, the limit is 8%.
▷ If the power consumption of a trailer is too
low to be detected by the system, for exam‐
ple due to LED rear lights.
Driving off on upward gradients
To prevent the vehicle from rolling back when
driving off, use the parking brake.
Not for Australia/New
Zealand: Trailer tow hitch
with removable trailer ball
Downhill gradients
On downward gradients, a car/trailer combination
tends to start snaking earlier.
Before the downward gradient, shift down man‐
ually to the next-lowest gear and drive down‐
wards slowly.
Safety notes
WARNING
Trailer Stability Control
If the ball linkage is not locked, unstable driving
conditions or accidents can result. There is a
danger of accidents or damage to property. Be‐
fore a journey with a trailer or load carrier, check
that the ball linkage is correctly locked.
Principle
The system helps you to neutralise a trailer's
tendency to swing from side to side.
It detects snaking movements and promptly
brakes the vehicle so that road speed falls to be‐
low the critical range and the car / trailer combi‐
nation is stabilised.
WARNING
When inserting the ball linkage, parts of the
body can be trapped by the hand wheel. There
is a danger of injury. When inserting the ball
linkage, do not hold the ball linkage in area of
hand wheel.
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.
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.
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Towing a trailer
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Storage
4
5
Handwheel
Cover cap for lock or key
Attaching ball linkage
Before attaching
Before fitting the ball linkage, the locking system
must be prepared:
1. If the key is not stopped in the lock, open the
lock with the key.
Ball linkage is located under boot floor.
2. Pull the handwheel, arrow 1, and turn in di‐
rection of arrow 2 as far as it will go.
Ball linkage bracket
The ball linkage can be inserted when the
following points have been met:
The bracket for the removable ball linkage is on
the underside of the vehicle.
▷ Trigger lever is on the ball linkage.
Follow the maintenance instructions, see
page 303.
▷ Red marking of the handwheel is above the
green area on the ball linkage.
Overview
Inserting ball linkage
1. Pull the cover stopper of the take-up down‐
wards and store in the vehicle.
2. Insert the ball linkage from underneath in the
take-up and push upwards until it engages.
3. Lock the lock in the handwheel.
4. Remove the key.
5. Attach the cap to the lock.
1
2
3
Marking green
Red or green mark
Trigger lever
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:
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Towing a trailer
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▷ Green marking on the handwheel is above
the green area of the ball linkage.
Swivelling in and out
▷ The handwheel is flush with the ball linkage.
▷ The lock is locked and the key is removed.
WARNING
The socket for the trailer or rear luggage rack
can heat up due to exhaust gases. There is a
danger of injury. Allow the trailer socket to cool
before swivelling out.
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.
Removing ball linkage
1. Remove cap from the lock.
2. Insert key and unlock the lock in the hand‐
wheel.
The key is stopped with the lock unlocked.
3. Hold ball linkage firmly.
4. Pull the handwheel, arrow 1, and turn in di‐
rection of arrow 2 as far as it will go.
Swivel trailer socket in or out up to the end posi‐
tion.
Eye for securing cable
5. Pull the ball linkage out of the bracket.
6. Let go of the handwheel, the key remains in
the lock.
7. Attach the cap to the key.
There is an eye on the trailer tow hitch bracket
for attaching the trailer securing cable.
8. Plug the cover stopper into the take-up.
For increased safety when towing a trailer, attach
the trailer securing cable to the eye.
Trailer socket
The trailer socket is underneath the bumper next
to the ball linkage.
Check that the securing cable can move freely
and is not dragging on the ground.
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Towing a trailer
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Operating rear luggage
racks
The ball linkage of the trailer tow hitch can be
used as a mount for rear luggage racks; for ex‐
ample bicycle rack systems.
Follow the information on rear luggage racks
when operating the rear luggage rack, see
page 230.
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