towing with e30 advise.

[Dozyproductions]

Im going to help my friend with moving his shit out from Greenville Texas back to Los Angeles here in Cali. Most likely we will need a trailer and since my car has a heavy duty tow hitch on it already (from the OP) it seems like it's only candidate to tow. I have an 89' 325i w/m20 that has new timing belt, water pump and tires.

So... having never used my hitch for anything I just want to get some input from some of you guys on how should I go about doing this successfully and safely. And before you answer I will be bringing an extra set of tools, belts, and liquids.

[mikeedler]

just rent a u-haul. with a 20 y/o car anything can happen, and with a trailer on it won't make it easier. Not that I don't think the e30 is up to such a task, but when soething would pos. happen, it is going to get expensive very fast.


If the trailer starts swaying, don't Brake!!! let off the gas and fight it out.

[Dozyproductions]

Thanks for the advise! After seeing all the other e30's that have had trailers and with most of the mechanical issues taken care of I felt like I could just wing it by volunteering my car for the task. Hopefully the trailer ain't going to sway too much, but the little stuff like that I don't really have too much of a clue about.

[5Toes]

Do it.

This reminds me of the guy who flew from Seattle area to North Carolina to drive back an is from an auction.

[BrownBeanE30]

yea just try it dude and take pics and let us know how the adventure went :)

[Wh33lhop]

Pack as much heavy stuff as you can in the front of the trailer--that will keep the sway to a minimum.

[A_Whelan]

I've towed trailers before in trucks and when going highway speeds (50-60mph) be careful around bumps, especially around long gentle turns because the trailer can hop sideways and haul the end of the vehicle with it.

As said above release the gas is better than hitting the brake when things happen. Make sure your safety chain is attached and all lights are working. Take extra time getting up to speed and leave plenty of room to brake or the trailer can push you forward.

Probably the most important thing is make sure the hitch and ball are the right size for each other! A lot of people tow with the wrong sizes and this can cause huge problems. I almost put a trailer clean through a tailgate once.

[Dozyproductions]

Hehe, will be taking pictures. It's such a shitty drive btw. Any of you guys along the way up for chillin if that would ever be an option? Heh cuz we'll be on the road for 24+ hours might as well make it a road trip :)

edit: thanks with the advise, taking down notes! I called uhaul and they said that the size issue wont be a problem and I definitely will try to pack it optimally to reduce the sway. r3v is like the dad I never had?

[10Toes]

I would use a full size truck. I would be scared to tow a car with a 4runner/tacoma etc. and you want to use an E30.

[Dozyproductions]

im just towing a small 4x8 or maybe a bit larger trailer for some gear my friend has at his place though.

[10Toes]

im just towing a small 4x8 or maybe a bit larger trailer for some gear my friend has at his place though.

Ok you're fine then, I read it as you were towing another car with your E30.

[Dozyproductions]

hahah yeah no, I had a for more newby question :)

[Kershaw]

especially around long genital turns because the trailer can hop sideways and haul the end of the vehicle with it.

yes, those genital turns can be a real bitch!

[antil33t]

I towed two cubic meters of wood with mine....

oh and I towed some of my mates stuff on a normal sized trailer with it, our trailer is really good was doing 140 at one point passing people. I forgot the law was 90 for trailers :p I thaught that was just trucks hahahah.


and the best thing about E30's is they are damn easy to manover with a trailer as there is heaps of rear vision.

[A_Whelan]

yes, those genital turns can be a real bitch!

Ahah, didn't notice that, fixed.