[CINCYFAN]

Hey all - I have a quick question about towing with my wife's 2019 X3...

So we're starting to think about taking our oldest back to school in mid-August and whether or not to rent a U-haul trailer. My wife's X3 has the OEM trailer hitch option installed and we've never had one or used one before. When we took our daughter to school last summer, we ended up taking two cars and I'd prefer to not do that again. Coincidentally, I offered my daughter a car for this year and she has absolutely no interest. I'm not complaining as I'd rather not drop $$ on another vehicle and auto insurance....but I can't imagine telling my dad, "no, I don't want a car." We live in strange times.

Anyway, it appears I need a ball mount, a ball, and then to rent the U-haul trailer. I don't own a ball mount or ball but assume I can get one of those when I rent the trailer and that way we'll be able to make sure the fit is correct. I cannot imagine that we're going to come anywhere close to max towing capacity but, again, I've never done this before.

I guess my question is, am I missing anything? Again, completely new to towing (well, it's been 30 years since I lawn jockey/landscaper back in undergrad but I never drove the truck...just the mowers).

Anyway, I'd appreciate any insights, guidance, or relevant reading material that folks might be willing to share!

Thanks!

[M40i4me]

All you need is one of these. I tow an 8’ utility trailer with no issues.
https://www.curtmfg.com/towing-acces...2-inch/class-3

[FredBa]

They have everything you need at U-Haul.
Curt Echo is a great wireless brake controller for the X3 in case you rent something that needs it.

[brettl]

I tow a utility trailer from time to time with my 30i, it does fine. A college students amount of stuff should be way below the 4400 lb tow rating. You can get tow bar at an auto parts store, Home Depot or Uhaul as mentioned before. Good thing about uhaul is that while likely more expensive, they'll probably look at what you've got on the car and set you up. Then you have the hitch for next time for subsequent college drop offs.
Couple things to remember, take corners wider then normal, give yourself more breaking distance and don't over-think backing up. Go to an empty parking lot and get the hang of it before you get into tight situations. You'll be fine, and it's better then two cars!!

[383vett]

As mentioned, U-haul will have the correct drop receiver and ball for your particular application. You will not know how much of a drop or rise you will need until you/they measure the tongue height compared with your hitch height. You could go through all this and save a couple of bucks buying the equipment at Walmart, but it's really not that much and probably not worth the hassle.

[chassis]

U-Haul has everything. Reserve well in advance and arrive early. In my experience U-Haul often is overwhelmed with customers and the employees are sometimes effective, sometimes not so much.

You need a drawbar (aka "ball mount) and ball. Easy peasy.

You don't need an electric brake controller.

Drive far more carefully than you normally would, which means more slowly, because you don't have experience with this. If things go bad when towing a trailer, they go really bad really quickly.

[CINCYFAN]

Thanks for all the thoughts, guidance, and insights...this information is very helpful. I think we're going to give the U-Haul a shot!

Thanks, wish me luck!

[keithguido]

You can go on their web site and find out everything. It was done by lawyers. Alsp be prepared to fill up more often. Pilot/Flying J and Loves truck stops have nicer area to fill up in also,download their app's.