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01-12-2015, 06:14 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 24
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The Mrs loves her stick shift 238i convertible
Story line says it all. I've been accustomed to pulling my 2011 GMC Terrain; but alas, our bucket list of toys we could never afford while raising a family of 4 daughters (that means 4 cars, 4 colleges, and 4 weddings and a major home equity loan), has finally started to come true. At long last we found a 2008 red 328i stick shift convertible and "Momma Duke", who is right at home with anything with a manual transmission has found her second love. For me that means its time to pass on the Terrain to another worthy RVr and search for ways to do what no BMW garage will advise and that's to find a way to tow the "Little Red Thing" four wheels down. The manual 6 speed transmission makes this possible but stick shift BMW's seem so rare that little if any information seems to exist regarding baseplates and four wheel down towing. BMW would rather you trailer or ramp truck their product which creates a whole other issue for RVs and transporting a vehicle.
So, big question......has anyone out there seen or know of a baseplate or another RVr who is towing a BMW who may offer advice before I begin reinventing the wheel to create my own?
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01-12-2015, 07:02 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club American Coach Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Pierce, FL
Posts: 1,019
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Call Blue Ox and ask them.
__________________
Revolution LE 38X C9 Cat
2020 Jeep Gladiator Toad
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01-12-2015, 08:02 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,317
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We're fulltimers and have been flat-towing a BMW Z3 M Coupe since 2003. Different model from yours, and a lot older, but we ran into the same "don't do it" advice and did it anyway. It's been towed probably 60,000 miles, and so far, so good. Except for getting beat all to hell by rocks.
Here are a couple of photos:
http://www.debcar.com/images/PB087755.JPG
http://www.debcar.com/images/PB087765.JPG
We got lucky and found someone who happened to be selling a kit they had had custom fabricated to tow their Z3 and I bought that from them. It required some cutting through the front fascia for the two receivers, and a couple of plates welded to the frame that the receivers bolt to, but otherwise works like a regular Roadmaster setup.
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01-12-2015, 08:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 908
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Could you back it onto a tow dolly? Tow dollies are easily manageable and require no serious mods to the car being towed.
__________________
2001 HO Cummins powered Dodge 2500
2014 Sierra 346RETS
Nights camped in 2014-28
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01-13-2015, 10:14 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 24
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Towing a BMW
Thanks Oatmeal, those are great words of encouragement. I new it was possible but just took some engineering. I had no luck with Roadmaster regarding a baseplate but will check with Blue Ox; perhaps they have a non-published template to make one. And then, if all else fails, I'm no stranger to modifying and welding if it comes to that.
I've been using a stone skirt/shield and it works quite well but the BMW will likely be getting a bra for the times we tow it just for a little extra margin of safety.
As for the other thread regarding a dolly; this car is not meant for towing nose or tail down I'd be skinning up my front or tail end on every bump and curb cut.
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01-13-2015, 03:03 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Jayco Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poinciana FL
Posts: 7,781
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A bra will do more damage than you'll want to deal with, especially with the wind buffeting behind the motorhome. Major damage if towed in a rain. Grit will get between the bra and the car dulling the finish, or worse.
A better solution might be one of those solid barriers that attaches to the tow bar.
__________________
Jay and Peggy Monroe
"Can't take it with you, not leaving any behind"
2024 Jayco White Hawk 26FK
2024 Ford Expedition
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01-14-2015, 07:22 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 24
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Bra issues
Thanks Monroe! That's great advice. Never had a bra on a car but can see exactly what you mean by sand and rain getting under it. Here in sunny FL the sand is a definite!
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01-14-2015, 11:26 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,654
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Call around town for higher end auto body shops that do bmws.
It is a unibody and body shops would know proper places in frame to make attachments.
You may find one who has done one.
Frame work is what they do...
__________________
Tony & Lori
1989 Country Coach Savannah SE
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01-14-2015, 11:44 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 908
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I've talked to several people and the brooms that attach to the rear bumper seem to work great. They keep the dirt and grit from hitting the toad at full speed. It will still get dirty but the sandblasting effect is negated.
__________________
2001 HO Cummins powered Dodge 2500
2014 Sierra 346RETS
Nights camped in 2014-28
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01-14-2015, 11:59 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 189
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A clear bra is a better option. Just make sure the installer uses a high-end product (3M)
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01-14-2015, 08:19 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,063
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Facing the same quandary about pulling my Red 1978 Fiat Sport Spider Convertible as a toad. Standard transmission and no fancy clutches, etc in rear axle so towing wheels down does not present a drive train issue however do I want to subject the front suspension of a Classic Italian Sport Spider to the stresses of being castered about behind a 10+ ton 35 foot Class A?
With the 1.8 Liter TurboDiesel the Spider gets around 50 mpg on the highway so I could just be selfish and tell the wife you drive the coach and I'll take the Spider via the scenic route and meet you there.
__________________
Neil V
2001 Winnebago Adventurer WFG35U
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01-14-2015, 08:33 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,654
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Just put it on a bike carrier...
__________________
Tony & Lori
1989 Country Coach Savannah SE
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01-14-2015, 08:51 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,063
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TQ60
Just put it on a bike carrier...
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The 124 is a fairly heavy rear wheel drive car for its size coming in at about 2,400 lbs empty and almost 3,000 laden with a driver/passenger/fuel/luggage. Roomier than the MGs, Triumphs or Sunbeams too.
__________________
Neil V
2001 Winnebago Adventurer WFG35U
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01-15-2015, 07:31 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 24
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Yes, the brooms do work
Thanks for the comment on tail brooms. I've been using one on my C23 to pull the Terrain and have not noticed any problems. It seems to do a nice job suppressing water spray also. The rear view camera helps attest to what's going on in back.
As for the advice on body shops that too is good. I'll be pulling the front under-shield to find the central jack support and get photo documentation with a good tape measure for the central support tube for engine and suspension support. That along with front grill dimensions should allow for creating or recreating a RoadMaster type baseplate that stays hidden behind the lower grill. Ah life is a challenge but where would we be if it were not for a few challenges now and then?
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