Get DRIVING TIPS -> Trailer and rear carrier Guide for BMW X7 4 Door First Generation (2019-2025)

Trailer and rear carrier

DRIVING TIPS

Trailer and rear carrier

load of the vehicle. The smaller value applies

in each case.

Vehicle features and options

This chapter describes model-specific equip-

ment, systems, and functions that are currently

available, or may become available in the fu-

ture, even if they are not present in the vehicle.

Tire pressure

Note the tire inflation pressure of the vehicle

and trailer.

For the vehicle, the tire inflation pressure for

higher loads applies.

Additional information:

Vehicle equipment, refer to page 8.

For the trailer, the specifications of the manu-

facturer apply.

General information

After correcting the tire inflation pressure or

connecting or disconnecting a trailer, reinitial-

ize the Flat Tire Monitor display or reset the

Tire Pressure Monitor.

The permissible trailer loads, axle weights,

drawbar node weights, and the permissible

gross vehicle weight are specified in the tech-

nical data.

Additional information:

▷

Tire pressure specifications, refer to

page 348.

When the trailer power socket is occupied or

when driving off, the vehicle is automatically

set to the normal level.

▷

Tire pressure monitor, refer to page 362.

Flat tire monitor, refer to page 370.

Before driving

Exterior mirrors

Exterior mirrors, which bring both rear edges

of the trailer into the driver's field of vision,

are available as optional accessories from an

authorized service center or another qualified

service center or repair shop.

Drawbar nose weight

The maximum payload of the towing vehicle is

reduced by the weight of the trailer hitch and

the drawbar nose weight. The drawbar nose

weight increases the vehicle weight. Do not ex-

ceed the approved gross vehicle weight of the

towing vehicle.

Electrical consumption

General information

Before start of the trip, check the function of

the trailer tail lights.

Loading

Distribute cargo as evenly as possible on the

loading platform.

Keep the activation times of the electrical com-

ponents short during camper operation to save

the vehicle battery power.

Stow the payload as low and close to the

trailer axle as possible. A low center of gravity

in the trailer increases the driving safety of the

entire car-trailer combination.

Trailer tail lights

The consumption of the trailer tail lights must

not exceed the following values:

Do not exceed the approved gross vehicle

weight of the trailer and the permissible trailer

334

Trailer and rear carrier

DRIVING TIPS

▷

Turn signals/brake lights: 54 watts per side.

Removing the cover

Rear lights: 100 watts in total.

Reversing lights: 54 watts in total.

Mount for trailer hitch

General information

Pull the cover out of the back of the mount,

and stow it in the vehicle.

Trailer power socket

The mount for the trailer hitch is located on the

rear of the vehicle.

Information on suitable trailer hitches is found

on the underside of the mount, see arrow.

Follow the instructions for maintaining the

trailer hitch mount.

The trailer power socket is located to the left of

the trailer hitch mount.

Additional information:

Caring for special components, refer to

page 407.

Loops for trailer safety chain

Safety information

General information

Warning

While driving, high temperatures can occur

underneath the vehicle body, for instance

caused by the exhaust system. Contact with

the hot components can cause burns. There

is a risk of injury. Do not touch hot compo-

nents. Do not perform work in the vicinity of

hot components until after they have cooled

down.

There are two loops on the mount for the

trailer hitch for locking the trailer safety chain.

335

Trailer and rear carrier

DRIVING TIPS

▷

Driver assistance systems, refer to

page 222.

Safety information

Driving stability control systems, refer to

page 216.

Warning

If the trailer safety line or the trailer safety

chain is not fastened correctly, the trailer

may unintentionally come loose. There is a

risk of accident. Before driving with a trailer,

correctly couple the trailer safety line or the

trailer safety chain to the eye of the trailer

hitch.

Cruise control, refer to page 226.

Safety information

Warning

Depending on the design and loading of

trailers, they may begin swinging at speeds

exceeding approx. 50 mph/80 km/h. There

may be a risk of accidents or risk of damage

to property.

Warning

If the trailer safety line or the trailer safety

chain is not fastened correctly, the safety line

or safety chain may get caught and cause

damage to the vehicle or trailer. There is a

risk of accident. Before driving with a trailer,

correctly couple the trailer safety line or the

trailer safety chain to the eye of the trailer

hitch. Ensure that the safety line or safety

chain can move freely and is not dragging on

the ground.

Adapt your speed when driving with a trailer.

Immediately brake in the case of swinging.

Apply necessary steering corrections as care-

fully as possible.

Warning

The tire inflation pressure must be adjusted

to the increased axle weight in trailer towing.

Driving with too low tire inflation pressure can

damage the tires. There may be a risk of

accidents or risk of damage to property. Do

not exceed a speed of 60 mph/100 km/h. In-

crease the tire pressure of the towing vehicle

by 0.2 bar/3 psi. Note the maximum possible

tire inflation pressure indicated on the tire.

Driving with trailer or rear

carrier

General information

When driving with a trailer or rear carrier, some

driver assistance systems may be restricted or

not available. A Check Control message is dis-

played where applicable. The driving stability

control systems, e.g., Antilock Braking System,

are still available.

Using a trailer or rear carrier

General information

When the trailer socket is occupied, a selection

menu is shown on the control display. In the

menu, specify whether you are driving your ve-

hicle with a trailer or rear carrier.

If necessary, select another driver assistance

system that can be used while towing a trailer,

e.g., Active Cruise Control.

Additional information:

Some driver assistance systems may have

limited functionality or may malfunction when

driving with a trailer or rear carrier, e.g., rear

bicycle rack, and an unoccupied trailer power

336

Trailer and rear carrier

DRIVING TIPS

socket. To avoid malfunctions, activate use of

the trailer or rear carrier manually.

Setting the maximum speed

1.

Apps menu

When the trailer socket is occupied or trailer

towing is activated, some driver assistance

systems may be restricted or not available. A

Check Control message is displayed where ap-

plicable.

2. "Vehicle"

3. "Driving settings"

4. "Driver Assistance"

5. "Trailer mode"

6. "Maximum permitted speed"

7. Select the desired speed.

Safety information

Warning

Uphill grades

If the control display is configured incorrectly,

some driver assistance systems may have

limited functionality or malfunction. There is

a risk of accident. Make sure that the corre-

sponding setting is enabled when using the

trailer or rear carrier.

General information

Trailer towing is permitted up to gradients of

12 %.

If higher trailer loads are approved at a later

point in time, the gradient limit is 8%.

Driving off on uphill grades

The parking brake is automatically released

when the accelerator pedal is activated.

Activating/deactivating trailer towing

manually

1.

Apps menu

In order to prevent rolling back when driving

off, use the parking brake.

2. "Vehicle"

3. "Driving settings"

4. "Driver Assistance"

5. "Trailer mode"

6. "Type"

1. Pull

and release the switch shortly

before starting. Press and release the

The parking brake is set.

7. Select whether you are driving with or with-

out a trailer/rear carrier.

2. Step on the accelerator pedal sufficiently to

drive off.

Maximum speed

Hills

General information

A car-trailer combination has the tendency to

swing more readily on hills.

When towing a trailer, you can configure

the maximum permitted speed for the vehi-

cle-trailer combination. Depending on vehicle

equipment, this setting is considered by speed

limit systems.

Manually downshift to the next-lowest gear

before driving on a hill and drive downhill

slowly.

Additional information:

▷

Speed Limit Info, refer to page 222.

Speed Limit Assistant, refer to page 243.

337

Trailer and rear carrier

DRIVING TIPS

Safety information

Trailer Assistant

Warning

Principle

The system cannot serve as a substitute for

the driver’s personal judgment in assessing

the traffic situation. Based on the limits of

the system, it cannot independently react to

all traffic situations. There is a risk of acci-

dent, injury, and property damage. Adjust

driving style to traffic conditions. Watch the

surrounding traffic situation closely, be ready

to take over steering and braking at any time,

and actively intervene where appropriate.

The Trailer Assistant helps when reversing

with a trailer.

When reversing, the steering of the front

wheels is determined by entering the kink an-

gle and adopted by the system.

Vehicle features and options

This system may not be available in the

owned vehicle, e.g. due to the selected op-

tional equipment, the national-market version

or the option for later enabling and software

updates. This also applies to individual func-

tions of the system.

Warning

The system can steer the vehicle over or

onto curbs. There is a risk of injury or risk

of damage to property. Watch surrounding

traffic closely and actively intervene where

appropriate

For information on whether a function is cur-

rently available in the vehicle or when the func-

tion can be installed in the vehicle, contact an

authorized service center or another qualified

service center or repair shop.

Additional information:

Vehicle equipment, refer to page 8.

Functional requirements

▷

A trailer is attached and connected.

General information

▷

The system is taught for the trailer to be

used.

The kink angle determines the angle between

the vehicle and trailer and thus the desired di-

rection of travel of the car-trailer combination

in reverse.

▷

Depending on vehicle equipment and na-

tional-market version, trailer towing is acti-

vated.

With the Trailer Assistant, the car-trailer com-

bination is not guided by the steering wheel

when reversing, but by continuous correction

of the articulation angle on the control display.

▷

The rearview camera is clean and clear.

Vehicles with removable trailer hitch: Use

suitable accessories approved by the vehi-

cle manufacturer.

The system takes over the steering. The driver

must control the speed using the accelerator

and brake pedals.

Teaching the Trailer Assistant

Whenever you hitch a trailer, the Trailer Assis-

tant must be taught again.

Follow the information in the "Parking assis-

tance systems" chapter.

A message on the control display prompts the

driver to drive forward at low speed while also

steering.

Additional information:

Parking assistance systems, refer to page 249.

338

Trailer and rear carrier

DRIVING TIPS

When driving in reverse, observe the vehi-

cle's surroundings.

Turning operating tips on/off

The Trailer Assistant operating tips provide

specific information for operating the system

properly. The operating tips can be turned on/

off.

In case of obstacles, stop immediately and

take over steering.

10. If necessary, adjust the kink angle while

driving to correct the direction.

1. Select the BMW ID or driver profile.

11. Engage selector lever position P when fin-

ished maneuvering.

2.

Apps menu

3. "Vehicle"

4. "Driving settings"

5. "Driver Assistance"

6. "Parking"

Canceling the Trailer Assistant

manually

Maneuvering of the car-trailer combination can

be aborted manually:

7. "Operating tips for Trailer Assistant"

"Cancel"

Reversing with the Trailer Assistant

1. Attach and connect trailer to vehicle.

2. Teaching the Trailer Assistant.

Canceling the Trailer Assistant

automatically

The system automatically cancels in situations

such as the following:

3. Depending on vehicle equipment and na-

tional-market version, activate trailer tow-

ing on the control display.

▷

When the driver grasps the steering wheel

or takes over steering.

▷

When shifting from reverse gear to selec-

tor lever position D, the Trailer Assistant

switches to standby mode.

4.

With the vehicle at a standstill, press

button or engage reverse gear.

Parking assistance systems displays are

shown on the control display.

If reverse gear is engaged again after a

short distance, the function is active again.

5. "Start Trailer Assistant"

▷

During activation or intervention by driver

assistance systems.

The control display shows the rearview

camera image with a view of the tow bar

and a stylized view of the vehicle with

trailer.

When the view on the control display is

overlaid with messages.

▷

In case of a slippery surface.

6. Confirm or turn off operating tips on the

control display as necessary.

When the vehicle is rolling such as on a

slope.

7. If necessary, shift into reverse gear.

8. Set the desired kink angle.

▷

In case of changed ambient conditions.

If the vehicle speed exceeds approx.

6 mph/10 km/h.

Follow the instructions on the control dis-

play.

9. Take your hands off the steering wheel and

carefully drive in reverse with the accelera-

tor pedal and the brake.

Turning trailer protection brake

on/off

Whenever the Trailer Assistant is canceled, the

trailer protection brake is applied and the vehi-

Green: the system takes control of

steering.

339

Trailer and rear carrier

DRIVING TIPS

cle is secured at a standstill. As a result, the

car-trailer combination cannot continue to roll

uncontrolled. The trailer protection brake can

be switched on or off.

The system detects swinging and automati-

cally brakes the vehicle quickly in order to leave

the critical speed range and stabilize the car-

trailer combination.

1.

Apps menu

General information

2. "Vehicle"

If the trailer power socket is occupied but a

trailer has not been hitched, this system can

also activate in extreme driving situations, e.g.,

when using a rear bicycle rack with lighting.

3. "Driving settings"

4. "Driver Assistance"

5. "Parking"

6. "Trailer protection braking"

Functional requirement

▷

A trailer is attached.

System limits

The trailer power socket is occupied.

General information

The maximum speed is limited to approx.

6 mph/10 km/h.

Vehicle speed must be more than approx.

40 mph/65 km/h.

System limits

The system cannot intervene or not intervene

in time in the following situations, for instance:

A warning is given at a speed of approx.

4 mph/7 km/h.

If the maximum speed is exceeded, the func-

tion is interrupted.

▷

If a trailer jackknifes suddenly, for instance

on slippery roads or loose surfaces.

Functional limitations

The system may be limited in the following

situations:

If a trailer with a high center of gravity tilts,

before swinging is detected.

If Dynamic Stability Control is deactivated

or has malfunctioned.

▷

Trailers with fifthwheel steering are not

supported.

When the power consumption of a trailer is

too low, for instance due to tail lights with

LED technology, to be detected by the sys-

tem.

▷

Accessories on tow bar, e.g., a rear bicycle

rack.

▷

Tow bars and trailers with unusual shapes.

Unsuitable removable trailer hitches.

Rearview camera dirty or covered.

Additional information:

Brake Controller

Trailer brakes only work if a brake controller is

installed.

Cameras, refer to page 35.

Trailer brakes will not work without the brake

controller.

Trailer stabilization control

The vehicle manufacturer recommends having

the brake controller installed by an authorized

service center or another qualified service cen-

ter or repair shop. Incorrect installation or pin-

Principle

Trailer stabilization control helps by absorbing

the swinging movements of the trailer.

340

Trailer and rear carrier

DRIVING TIPS

ning of the connector can cause the trailer

lights and brake system to fail.

weight of the rear carrier must not exceed

165 lbs/75 kg.

For information on installing a brake control-

ler, contact an authorized service center or an-

other qualified service center or repair shop.

▷

If the center of gravity is 23.5 inches/60 cm

from the ball head, the gross weight of the

rear carrier must not exceed 77 lbs/35 kg.

▷

Stow heavy cargo as close as possible to

the ball head.

Rear carriers

Fasten cargo securely to the rear carrier,

making sure it will not slip.

Principle

Rear carriers, e.g., rear bicycle racks, are devi-

ces that are mounted on the vehicle in order to

help transport cargo.

Before driving

Before starting your trip, make sure that the

tail lights on the rear carrier are working.

The maximum power rating of the rear car-

rier tail lights should not exceed the maximum

power rating of the trailer tail lights.

General information

Rear carriers recommended by the manufac-

turer of the vehicle are available as optional

accessories.

To prevent functional limitations and malfunc-

tions affecting driver assistance systems, acti-

vate trailer towing.

Rear bicycle racks for a maximum of three bi-

cycles can be used.

Additional information:

Only use rear carriers that are mounted directly

on the mount for the trailer hitch.

▷

Electrical consumption, refer to page 334.

Using a trailer or rear carrier, refer to

page 336.

Installation

Follow the assembly instructions for the rear

carrier.

Driving with a rear carrier

When loaded, rear carriers move the vehicle's

center of gravity, which affects how the vehicle

handles and steers.

Loading

When loading and driving, note the following:

▷

Do not exceed the approved axle weight

and the approved gross vehicle weight.

▷

Drive cautiously and avoid driving off and

braking with jerky movements or fast cor-

nering.

The permissible gross weight of the loaded

rear carrier depends on how far its center of

gravity is from the ball head.

▷

If the center of gravity is up to 11.8 in-

ches/30 cm from the ball head, the gross

341

DRIVING TIPS -> Trailer and rear carrier for Your BMW X7 4 Door First Generation (2019-2025)

Related Topics

DRIVING TIPS

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals