If you own or are considering a BMW 3 Series and you’re looking to pull your rig, you’re probably wondering: can a BMW 3 Series tow a trailer?
Yes, a BMW 3 Series can tow a trailer or camper up to 1,350 pounds.
There are additional factors you’ll need to consider when towing a trailer camper with your BMW 3 Series which we’ll cover below.
Towing A Camper With A BMW 3 Series
So, can a BMW 3 Series tow a trailer? Yes: the BMW 3 Series towing capacity is 1,350 pounds, so as long as your camper, toy hauler, travel trailer, or pop-up camper is under 1,350 lbs your BMW 3 Series can successfully tow it.
Now we need to explore the additional factors you’ll need to keep in mind when towing a trailer with your BMW 3 Series.
BMW 3 Series Trailer Hitch Details
Does The BMW 3 Series Come With A Tow Package?
The BMW 3 Series does not come with a tow hitch, so you’ll need to add one yourself or have one installed professionally.
BMW 3 Series Trailer Towing: What Do I Need?
At minimum you’ll need a trailer hitch and wiring harness to tow your camper behind your BMW 3 Series.
Do I Need A Brake Controller To Pull A Camper With A BMW 3 Series?
If your travel trailer or camper has electronic brakes then you’ll also need a brake controller to send a signal from your vehicle to the brakes on your trailer.
Most states have laws stating that any trailer over 3,000 pounds must have a brake controller, but check with your state for specifics.
You will not need a brake controller since the BMW 3 Series can only tow up to 1,350 pounds.
BMW 3 Series Trailer Hitch Cost
BMW 3 Series Trailer Hitch & Wiring Harness Cost
BMW 3 Series trailer hitches run between $200-$300.
Take a look at this recommended BMW 3 Series Hitch Kit:
- 1-1⁄4 in. Square Receiver Tube Opening
- Rated Up To 2,000 lbs. Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) And Up To 200 lbs. Tongue Weight (TW)
- All Hitches Are Designed For Customers With Passenger Cars And Sport Utility Vehicles
- Removable Drawbar, Pin, And Clip Sold Separately
- Clean Appearance That Attaches To The Vehicle's Frame And/Or Bumper
A BMW 3 Series trailer hitch wiring harness runs between $50-$80.
BMW 328i Trailer Hitch
Here’s a recommended BMW 328i trailer hitch for towing a trailer:
- Up to 200 pounds tongue weight and gross towing weight of 2000 pounds - you should always consult the vehicles owners manual for maximum towing capacity
- Solid All-Welded construction for maximum strength and safety
- Fatigue and stress testing ensure a strong design that will withstand road abuse
- Meets and exceeds V-5, CSA and SAE J684 standards and are inspected for quality and workmanship
- Many no drill applications and Metal Shield protective coating for increased corrosion resistance and OEM quality protection
BMW 325i Trailer Hitch
Here’s a recommended BMW 325i trailer hitch for towing a trailer or camper:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. With a strong, welded steel build, this class 1 hitch is rated for 2,000 lbs. gross trailer weight and 200 lbs. tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- HIGHLY VERSATILE. Add useful, versatile towing options to your vehicle with this class 1 trailer hitch. It provides a standard 1-1/4-inch x 1-1/4-inch receiver hitch, allowing you to tow a small trailer or mount a cargo carrier or bike rack
- DUAL-COAT FINISH. For industry-leading rust, chip and UV resistance inside and out, this aftermarket tow hitch kit is submersed in a liquid A-coat and co-cured with a durable black powder coat finish
- EASY INSTALLATION. This class 1 hitch is designed to factory fit select model years of the BMW 323Ci, 323i, 323is, 325Ci, 325i, 325xi, 328Ci, 328i, 328is, 330Ci, 330i and 330xi
- TESTED FOR SAFETY. Each CURT class 1 trailer hitch design is thoroughly tested, using real vehicles in real-world conditions. Our hitches are tested to SAE J684 specifications for safety on the road ahead
BMW 3 Series Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed on your BMW 3 Series (including the hitch and wiring harness).
BMW 3 Series Brake Controller Cost
BMW 3 Series brake controllers cost between $100-200 for the part, and up to $250 for the installation of the brake controller.
Can You Put A Trailer Hitch On A BMW 3 Series? BMW 3 Series Tow Package Installation
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a BMW 3 Series trailer hitch installation:
What Else Will I Need To Tow A Trailer With My BMW 3 Series?
Depending on what trailer or camper you’ll be pulling with your BMW 3 Series, you may opt for a suspension enhancement kit to reduce rear-end sag and to improve your ride quality and stability.
Additionally, if your trailer or camper has electric brakes then you’ll need a 7-way connector and brake controller kit.
What Trailers And Campers Can A BMW 3 Series Pull?
Your BMW 3 Series can pull a trailer, camper, or pop-up camper under 1,350 pounds which is going to be most ultra lightweight campers.
The BMW 3 Series can safely tow the following travel trailer and camper models under 1,350 lbs:
- Meerkat Camper
- Oregon Trailer DoDrop Alpha
- Colorado Teardrop Basedrop Camper
- Rustic Trail Papa Bear Teardrop Camper
This is by no means a full list, but the above are some popular examples of trailers and campers that can be towed by a BMW 3 Series.
When determining what travel trailers you can tow behind your BMW 3 Series, you’ll want to know the following specs:
- UVM (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) aka Dry Weight: This is the weight of a trailer as it’s manufactured at the factory. This figure includes all the weight including the axles and hitch of your trailer or camper.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): This is the maximum weight of your personal belongings that can be added. This is the GVWR minus the UVM, full fresh water tank weight, and full LP (liquid propane) gas weight. In other words, CCC = GWVR – (UVM + water + gas).
- Tongue Weight aka Hitch Weight: This is the amount of weight that’s pressing down on your vehicle’s hitch or 5th wheel connection when your travel trailer or camper is fully loaded for travel.
The most important factor to look for is the dry weight or UVM of your travel trailer or camper and making sure it’s below 1,350 lbs so your BMW 3 Series can safely tow it.
Understand that if it’s close to that number, you must also factor in any additional weight added to your trailer via cargo, water, or propane tanks and make sure the total does not exceed 1,350 pounds.
BMW 3 Series Towing Capacity
So, how much can a BMW 3 Series tow?
The BMW 3 Series can tow up to 1,350 pounds.
- BMW 3 Series Towing Capacity: 1,350 lbs
- BMW 3 Series GVWR: 4,576 lbs
There are many variations in the years throughout the BMW 3 Series, so we’ve broken down a few more of the popular models’ towing capacities below.
BMW 320d Towing Capacity
How much can a BMW 320d tow?
The BMW 320d can tow up to 1,350 pounds.
- BMW 320d Towing Capacity: 1,600 lbs
- BMW 320d GVWR: 3,680 lbs
BMW 328i Towing Capacity
So, how much can a BMW 328i tow?
The BMW 328i can tow up to 1,600 pounds.
- BMW 328i Towing Capacity: 1,600 lbs
- BMW 328i GVWR: 4,365
BMW 318i Towing Capacity
So, how much can a BMW 3 Series tow?
The BMW 3 Series can tow up to 1,200 pounds.
- BMW 318i Towing Capacity: 1,200 lbs
- BMW 318i GVWR: 2,657 lbs
BMW 325i Towing Capacity
So, how much can a BMW 3 Series tow?
The BMW 3 Series can tow up to 1,640 pounds.
- BMW 325i Towing Capacity: 1,640 lbs
- BMW 325i GVWR: 4,343 lbs
You’ll want to pay attention to the following specs to make sure your BMW 3 Series can tow your camper or travel trailer:
- CGWR (Combined Gross Weight Rating): This is the max allowable weight including your vehicle, cargo, passengers, and the trailer.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle including the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo without a trailer or camper attached. Exceeding either or both of the BMW 3 Series GVWR or BMW 3 Series towing capacity can damage the vehicle.
Can A BMW 3 Series Tow A Travel Trailer? Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully this guide helped you to understand that yes, you can tow a trailer with a BMW 3 Series as long as you pay close attention to the total weight (the camper or travel trailer must be under 1,350 pounds).
BMW 3 Series models don’t come with a tow hitch installed, so you’ll need to add one to the vehicle. Once complete, you’re ready to hit the road and get camping!
What hitch and wiring harness did you choose for your BMW 3 Series, and what camper or trailer are you towing with it? How did the hitch installation go? Let your fellow campers know in the comments below.
While you’re here, check out our other helpful travel trailer, camper, and RV repair guides:
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