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Topic ClosedTowing with BMW X3 of X5
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6429 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Towing with BMW X3 of X5
    Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 11:16pm
With the Escape, it does downshift on climbing. I don't see that as a bad thing. I could hit the up or down shift buttons and control it manually, but I let the computer take care of it. That is what it is there for.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Location: Texas
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 11:54am
Originally posted by StephenH

I use the cruise control, but have the transmission in "S" instead of "D." The Sport (or Schlepp) mode locks out the 6th gear. Otherwise, it works fine with cruise control. I probably get better mileage with the cruise control than I would if I tried to drive without it. Plus, I can move my foot around.


I had experimented with cruise control and Sport mode on my Highlander, which allows me to set any gear. It would stop the transmission from upshifting, but it wouldn't stop it from downshifting.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6429 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 8:17pm
I use the cruise control, but have the transmission in "S" instead of "D." The Sport (or Schlepp) mode locks out the 6th gear. Otherwise, it works fine with cruise control. I probably get better mileage with the cruise control than I would if I tried to drive without it. Plus, I can move my foot around.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
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Joined: 26 Feb 2016
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 4:18pm
I often drive between 70 and 75 with our 3.5L V6 Highlander, which cuts the MPG about in half vs. not towing. The lowest MPG I ever got was 8, but that was attempting to travel 75 mph into a stiff headwind.

Also, I used cruise control initially, but it killed our mileage due to frequent downshifts, so I never tow with cruise control anymore. I can eliminate most of the downshifting that way, doing more gradual speed adjustment as grades change.
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Joined: 19 May 2016
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Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 1:29pm
Well six months later I'm trading in my BMW X3 on an X5.  So glad I got the RF brake controller so I can pair it easily to the new vehicle.  The X3 was adequate in power but I wanted a bit more power and space.  My towing capacity will increase from 3,500 pounds to 6,000 pounds.  The BMW towing dynamics are outstanding.  To date I've had no problem with sway and I hope that will continue in the X5.  I did opt for a gently used used CPO x5 as I'm piling on the miles going on rpod adventures to dog shows.  I love my little rpod!  It just the ticket!
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6429 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 3:43pm
I'm glad you found out what was causing a problem with the lights. As for mileage, I use an AeroPlus by PurpleLine and limit my speed to the recommended 60 mph. Both of these have significantly increased my mileage over our first trip where I was trying to hit 65-70 mph with a stiff headwind before I got the AeroPlus. On that trip we got as low as 8 mpg. With the AeroPlus we are getting significantly better mpg, 12-15 mpg. This is with a Ford Escape SE with factory tow package and 2L Ecoboost engine.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
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johnmaci View Drop Down
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Joined: 17 Jun 2014
Location: MD
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Posts: 202 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 8:20am
I never go above 65 MPH, and I assume you mean 2 MPG not 2 MPH?
A slight drop in MPG is what I thought when I first towed until I reset the counter. After the reset, I got a true reading of 12-14 MPG on the highway not the 22-24 I was getting before towing.
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 7:19am
We have always found that 60 ish is best for us , control wise, wind wise and miles per gallon wise.
Enjoy!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
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2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Joined: 19 May 2016
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Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 May 2016 at 10:06pm
I picked up my 180 today.  I need to use a lamp out adapter on the 7 pin to get the BMW to recognize the led lights on the trailer.  The X3 did great towing although I only towed the r-pod about 30 miles to get it home and then back out to covered storage.  Although a short test, I only dropped about  2 MPH while driving at low freeway speeds of 65-70.
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2016 at 9:56pm
The queen that was in our 171 was great with a memory foam topper.  Used it like that for 5 years.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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