Editorial, Information

Can a BMW Tow a Tiny House?

Tiny homes are on the rise. During the pandemic, over 50% of Americans said they would consider living in a small house. Although tiny homes are appealing, you need to be able to haul them. 

If you’re a BMW enthusiast and just purchased a tiny house, you might wonder if you can find a way to tow the tiny home with your vehicle. Of course, you want to keep your car and be able to take your home wherever life takes you. 

Not all vehicles are capable of hauling a large load. There are certain vehicles built with safety features and other parts that can easily tow a trailer, another car or mobile home. You have to have the right equipment to safely and effectively get your house between locations. 

When you tow a house, you’re towing your life. The tow vehicle is the most critical factor throughout all of it. You can have the best tires and chains to hook the house trailer to your car, but you risk losing everything if the vehicle cannot handle the load. For those who own a BMW, you might ask the question — can a BMW tow a tiny house? The simple answer is that it depends on the kind of BMW you have. 

Choosing a Vehicle That Can Tow Your Home

There are BMW models that can tow a tiny home. Before getting into that, you need to know the basics of choosing a vehicle that can tow such a large item. If your car is undersized, then you cannot successfully pull your tiny home. 

You could purchase a new tow vehicle, but if you don’t plan on moving your tiny home very often, this might not be necessary as you can probably find a friend who can tow it or rent a vehicle for towing. 

One factor to check is the towing capacity of your vehicle. Although the trailer and your car have wheels, and the engine can pull it, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a limit. With the weight of a tiny house and all of your belongings, you could easily surpass the towing capacity. Eventually, this could cause damage to your vehicle. Assess your home’s weight to determine if your vehicle’s towing capacity can handle it. 

Also, ensure that you have the proper hitch. Two vehicles that are the same weight may not be able to carry the same load because of the hitch. Ensure that the hitch fits your tiny home’s trailer, too, and that it can handle the weight of your small house. Tiny homes on wheels are typically heavier than your average recreational vehicle or camper, which is why these factors are essential when you’re about to tow your house.

BMW Models That Are Ideal for Towing a Tiny House

You don’t need a pickup truck to transport your tiny home. However, if you have or purchase the right BMW, hauling a tiny home is possible. Here are the BMW models that are safe to move your tiny house: 

  • 2020 BMW X5: The BMW X5 model can tow up to 7,200 pounds. It has a 3.0L TwinPower Turbo inline powertrain. If you need to upgrade to an all-wheel-drive, that’s a possibility with this vehicle. It’s larger than the BMW X3, which is why it is capable of towing your tiny house. Usually, tiny homes that are no longer than 14 feet can be pulled using this vehicle. 
  • 2020 BMW X7: The X7 model of BMW SUVs is the largest of them all. This has 300 pounds more towing capacity than the X5. It also has a 3.0L TwinPower Turbo inline system, but at six cylinders. 
  • 2019 BMW X7: Finally, there’s the 2019 version of the BMW X7. This is a more cost-effective option if you’re looking for a BMW to tow your tiny home since it’s an older model. However, it has just as much power and towing capacity as its 2020 version. For the maximum power, you can opt for the xDrive40i trim V8. 

These BMW models should all be able to handle smaller tiny homes. Don’t underestimate the power of a BMW! 

Tips for Towing a Tiny Home

Below are a few extra tips to keep in mind when towing your tiny home to ensure it gets to its final destination with ease: 

  • Check over your BMW’s specifications to ensure it can haul the load. 
  • Ensure that your vehicle is licensed and insured to tow. 
  • Plan the route before you travel and avoid bridges, traffic jams, potholes, and any other obstructions.
  • Properly hitch and secure your tiny home to the BMW. 
  • Make sure everything in your tiny house is secured, like appliances and any personal belongings so they don’t move while you’re driving. 
  • Check that the tiny home trailer lights are correctly connected and that they work when you use a turn signal, brakes, etc. 

Now, you’re ready to move! 

The Mighty BMW

As long as you have the right BMW, you can haul your tiny home. Then, hitch it to the back and see where your next adventure takes you.