max speed

[renaissance1415]

I'm impressed.... I buying a U Haul Ct - 13 +- 1250#'s. I don't know I would have ever considered pulling a BIG Airstream.

Just a note for anyone considering an X5, buying used is a viable option. Mine(2004) new = $68K I bought 3 years ago $18K. The V8's have two issues. No one ever does proper trans services, so by 80-100K the trans fluid is getting nasty. Worst case new trans 5-7K . The engine has an internal coolant tube that the seal can go out. Repair 2.5-3 K. So for 8-10K you will have a reliable unit for many years, much less than you write off buying a new unit and driving off the lot, easily 10-15$$$$$.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by renaissance1415

I'm impressed.... I buying a U Haul Ct - 13 +- 1250#'s. I don't know I would have ever considered pulling a BIG Airstream.

Don't be impressed, it just demonstrates that there are some in the world that consider themselves smarter than all of the automotive engineers at BMW (as well as at all of the other vehicle manufacturers). Stick with your original manufacturers specifications.

[RogerDat]

Speed "limit" laws in Michigan carry additional specification that speed must be consistent with road conditions, traffic and the general situation. I was once pulled over on a 10 speed bike for doing 20 something in a 35 mph zone during a rain storm. Long downhill and I was riding flat out. According to Mich. speed limit laws I could have been given a ticket. Especially since with wet brakes it took me a looong time to stop for the officer.

How fast and towing what with what on what kind of tire questions always boil down to what the individual decides they are comfortable with.

Choices have consequences and I think most folks (or at least forum members) try to weigh their choices with care. We ask questions and seek information. People give different weight to the various criteria, we have different skills and equipment, different comfort levels, and different overall philosophies so we arrive at different conclusions.

Whatever you decide is the right speed given your equipment and skills you are the one responsible for making it work or the consequences of failure. So the best advice is.... learn all you can from all the ideas politely and thoughtfully expressed here on the forum.

Me I would not be comfortable towing that airstream but I have no idea if it is a totally righteous set up that works great or should not be driven across the parking lot. Not my rig so not my problem or decision to make. Now if I was just going someplace local..... Hmm maybe?

And Jim I'm keeping my eyes on you

[Bob Miller]

Somehow I don't know how comfortable I would feel about Mr. or Ms. BMW owner (the one in the pic) sharing the road with me solely based on how he or she feels about what is safe....

When my decisions can have consequences for others, there is a much higher bar to consider.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by RogerDat

And Jim I'm keeping my eyes on you

I will be good now, Boss Man. I said everything that I know, so won't bother to keep repeating myself.....well, sometimes I do forget things I said though.

[renaissance1415]

Just FWIW, X5's towing capacity = 6000#. Factory hitch rated at 5000# w/ 500 tongue weight. Aftermarket hitch Curt ..... 6000# and 600# tongue weight. I've heard lots of stories of people towing large RV's and boats. Just because it "will" do it doesn't mean it's safe.
I just wanted to make sure I didn't shred the tires or seize the hubs.

[Bob Miller]

Clip: "I just wanted to make sure I didn't shred the tires or seize the hubs."

Not to worry, you will have an opportunity to do that if the tires go overage or are overloaded, or IF the PM's aren't done on the BMW's chassis as per their very comprehensive (spelled $$$$$) PM program.

FWIW: From what I have read over the years, the Curt Hitch fan club is easy to get into, if only because it doesn't have that many members. You might want to check around..... , more than a few hereabouts have reported problems with welds & fit.

[RogerDat]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

.....well, sometimes I do forget things I said though.

I hate when that happens, fortunately I'm married so there is always someone to tell me I did or didn't say irrespective of my own feeble recollection.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by RogerDat

Me I would not be comfortable towing that airstream but I have no idea if it is a totally righteous set up that works great or should not be driven across the parking lot. Not my rig so not my problem or decision to make. Now if I was just going someplace local..... Hmm maybe?

Roger, I always appreciate and look forward to your comments.

To date the owner of the 2001 X5 still has it and is still towing the Airstream. Been everywhere with it. The X5 has had some minor issues of late but nothing serious. He also uses a high end Hensley hitch which is really icing on a very sweet cake. When travelling on the freeways he claims the only thing he is concerned with is falling asleep because it drives and handles so well.

[Pam Garlow]

Originally Posted by renaissance1415

Does anyone know what the max speed is for a CT-13 re: the hubs and tires. I'll be pulling with an X5 (BMW) so pretty stable.

I think we need to steer back to the OP's original question and move away from discussions about towing airstreams.

....RogerDat, and Jim, I'm watching you two, too ....er, also.

[mary and bob]

Back to the original question, Uhauls have a sealed bearing hub so they are not an issue. Only thing you can check on them is if there is any play or roughness when spinning the wheels.

[RogerDat]

Originally Posted by Pam Garlow

I think we need to steer back to the OP's original question and move away from discussions about towing airstreams.

....RogerDat, and Jim, I'm watching you two, too ....er, also.

Well the airstream was being towed by an X5 same as the OP was going to be towing with.... Which makes this waaay more relevant than some of our mental wonderings.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Pam Garlow

....RogerDat, and Jim, I'm watching you two, too ....er, also.

Yes ma'am, I's be a good boy now.

[Donna D.]

Max Speed? Back on topic.

I'm cheap... the fastest speed I travel is the one that get's me the best fuel mileage. Yes time is IMPORTANT, but since I work for wages, keeping money in my pocket so I can spend it elsewhere is important to me. If I have to leave earlier, rather than drive faster, I do. YMMV

[Ice-breaker]

I try to keep a moderate pace, but I sometimes find it very difficult to travel on the freeway and not keep up with traffic. Those Escape trailers tow so smoothly that it is easy to forget that it is there, and before you know it, you are sailing along keeping up with the 70 m/hr flow of rush hour traffic through Salt Lake City. Honestly, that was not me on July 26, just another FJ and Escape 19 that looked like us.

[tractors1]

I think the speed record (142 mph) was set by a fiberglass-skinned trailer:

The Most Extreme Record-Breaking Caravans - Interesting Engineering

Charlie Y

[Carol H]

The guys at Top Gear tried to break the caravan towing speed record... windows started blowing out of the trailer at 124 mph but that didn't stop them for trying to go faster than that...

Top Gear Part 1 Fast Caravan
Top Gear Part 2 Fast Caravan
Top Gear Part 3 Fast Caravan

[MC1]

Come on now folks. High speed trailer towing and breaking speed records?? Lets try to stay on topic.

[steve dunham]

I drive between 58 and 62 MPH in the right (Slow) lane whether I am towing or not . I did NOT drive fast when I was a young adult and I don't intend to drive any faster in my senior years . I am retired and getting there 15 minutes earlier does not motivate me but getting there in one piece with the best gas mileage possible does motivate me . The scenery along the way is as important and interesting to me as my destination

[Jon Vermilye]

I'm another retired slow poke. The sweet spot for the combination of my Escape 17 & RAV4 is 57 MPH. While I'll sometimes get up to the "breakneck" speed of 60 MPH on an interstate, I far prefer the secondary roads. Adding 5 MPH will drop the MPG by 3-4, and as Steve mentioned, the few minutes saved are not worth it.