BMW X5 Towing Capacity

Review BMW X5 towing capacity by year, trim, engine, and drivetrain.

Max Towing

7,200 lbs

Highest listed configuration

Years Covered

2015–2024

10 model years

Configurations

10

Trim/engine rows represented

Start here: Pick your model year below to view specific trim, engine, drivetrain, payload, and tow package details.
Towing guide

BMW X5 Towing Overview

The BMW X5 is a SUV with towing capacity that varies by model year, trim, engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, payload, and factory towing equipment. Towlytics lists the BMW X5 with a maximum towing capacity of up to 7,200 lbs when properly equipped.

What Towing Features Does the BMW X5 Have?

  • Available factory towing package
  • trailer sway control
  • receiver hitch and wiring harness where equipped
  • upgraded cooling on some trims
  • AWD or 4WD availability
  • driver-assist systems that help with visibility and lane awareness while towing.

What Comes With the BMW X5 Towing Package?

The BMW X5 towing package usually includes the core equipment required to tow safely, such as a hitch receiver, wiring harness, trailer stability features, and sometimes upgraded cooling or drivetrain-specific equipment. Exact package content changes by year and trim.

What can the BMW X5 tow?

The BMW X5 is best suited for medium travel trailers, boats, utility trailers, small equipment trailers, and enclosed cargo trailers when properly equipped. Always confirm the exact rating on the vehicle certification label, owner's manual, and manufacturer towing guide before towing.

BMW X5 Towing FAQ

How much can the BMW X5 tow?

Towlytics lists the BMW X5 with a maximum towing capacity of up to 7,200 lbs when properly equipped. Actual capacity depends on the specific year, trim, engine, drivetrain, payload, and towing package.

Does the BMW X5 need a towing package?

Some BMW X5 configurations may require a factory towing package or specific equipment to reach the highest tow rating. Check the exact year and trim because hitch, wiring, cooling, axle ratio, and brake-controller availability can change by configuration.

Can the BMW X5 tow a camper?

The BMW X5 may be able to tow a camper depending on the camper's loaded weight, tongue weight, passengers, cargo, and the vehicle's payload rating. Compare the loaded trailer weight against the exact tow rating and keep tongue weight within payload limits.

Trailer parts guide

Recommended Trailer Parts for the BMW X5

For this vehicle, fitment and appearance matter. A concealed or OEM-style receiver, clean wiring route, and careful payload planning usually matter more than generic heavy-duty parts. For the BMW X5, start with fitment-specific parts and confirm all ratings against the owner’s manual, door-jamb payload label, hitch label, and trailer manufacturer specs.

Recommended profile: Clean-install SUV towing kit

1. Hitch Receiver

Vehicle-specific concealed or OEM-style Class III receiver where available.

2. Trailer Wiring

Vehicle-specific wiring harness; use 4-pin for light trailers and 7-pin when trailer brakes are involved.

3. Ball Mount

Low-profile fixed or adjustable ball mount selected to keep the trailer level.

4. Brake Controller

Needed only when the trailer has brakes; confirm compatibility with factory electronics and driver-assist systems.

5. Sway Control

Consider sway control for campers or taller enclosed trailers, but avoid exceeding payload/tongue limits.

6. Useful Extras

Hitch cover, wiring dust cap, coupler lock, and professional installation if bumper trim or coding is required.

Best trailer types for the BMW X5

Small boats, utility trailers, compact campers, bike trailers, and premium hitch-mounted accessories are the most logical starting points. The final answer depends on loaded trailer weight, tongue weight, passenger weight, cargo, drivetrain, tow package, and whether the trailer has brakes.

BMW X5 Towing Capacity by Year

Year Summary

YearMax TowingEngine options listedConfigs
2015 6,000 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1
2016 6,000 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1
2017 6,000 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1
2018 6,000 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1
2019 7,200 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1
2020 7,200 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1
2021 7,200 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1
2022 7,200 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1
2023 7,200 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1
2024 7,200 lbs 3.0L Turbo I6 1

All BMW X5 Configurations

YearTrimEngineDrivetrainMax TowingPayloadTow PackageGCWRGeneration
2015 xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 6,000 lbs 1,400 lbs Yes 11,000 lbs F15
2016 xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 6,000 lbs 1,400 lbs Yes 11,000 lbs F15
2017 xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 6,000 lbs 1,400 lbs Yes 11,000 lbs F15
2018 xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 6,000 lbs 1,400 lbs Yes 11,000 lbs F15
2019 xDrive40i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 7,200 lbs 1,500 lbs Yes 12,000 lbs G05
2020 xDrive40i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 7,200 lbs 1,500 lbs Yes 12,000 lbs G05
2021 xDrive40i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 7,200 lbs 1,500 lbs Yes 12,000 lbs G05
2022 xDrive40i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 7,200 lbs 1,500 lbs Yes 12,000 lbs G05
2023 xDrive40i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 7,200 lbs 1,500 lbs Yes 12,000 lbs G05
2024 xDrive40i 3.0L Turbo I6 AWD 7,200 lbs 1,500 lbs Yes 12,000 lbs G05
Before you tow

BMW X5 Pre-Tow Checklist

Confirm the exact rating

Match the year, trim, engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, and tow package against the owner’s manual and manufacturer towing guide.

Check payload first

Add passengers, cargo, accessories, and estimated tongue weight. Payload is often the real limit for campers and enclosed trailers.

Verify wiring and brakes

Use 4-pin wiring for simple light trailers and 7-pin wiring plus a brake controller for many heavier trailers with brakes.

Leave a safety margin

Avoid planning at the absolute max rating, especially for highway trips, hills, heat, wind, and long-distance towing.

Safety note: Towlytics towing data is a planning aid. Always verify the final rating against your owner’s manual, door-jamb label, hitch label, and manufacturer towing guide before towing.