Is it possible to get a 3 series bmw to haul a trailer?

[zabrak999]

I want a BMW, but I also want a dirt bike/jet ski/ATV etc

a buddy of mine told me that I'd need to buy an expensive reinforced something, besides a hitch. Is this true?

I doubt a sedan will be able to haul an ATV, but perhaps a dirt bike/compact standing jet ski??

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Like besides the hitch, I was told I need to buy a reinforced fully boxed something ??

[Critter7r]

http://www.etrailer.com/vm/BMW/3%20Series/hitch

[williamm3]

It should be no problem, they do it all the time in Europe.

[pizzaman09]

I am not sure which model 3 you have but as said, it is very common to tow behind sedans in Europe.

The issue with be how much tongue weight you want to put on the car, typically the trailer hitches for sedans are designed for very low tongue weights. For example the factory optional (euro only) trailer hitch for an e39 M5 is rated to to pull a hair under 4000lbs but the tongue weight rating is only 200lbs. So jet skis and ATVs shouldn't be too much of an issue, a big power boat would be though.

[BimmerBreaker]

I am not sure which model 3 you have but as said, it is very common to tow behind sedans in Europe.

The issue with be how much tongue weight you want to put on the car, typically the trailer hitches for sedans are designed for very low tongue weights. For example the factory optional (euro only) trailer hitch for an e39 M5 is rated to to pull a hair under 4000lbs but the tongue weight rating is only 200lbs. So jet skis and ATVs shouldn't be too much of an issue, a big power boat would be though.

If it does indeed have a 4000lb capacity it would usually have closer to a 400lb tongue weight but either way, it can tow a 3999 lb boat no problem depending on how the trailer is set up. On most trailers tongue weight is 10% of the total weight of the trailer. Trailers can be designed so that there is less tongue weight but generally 10% is safe and what is advised. It also has to do with how the trailer is loaded and where most the weight is...