So I am picking up an M5 next Saturday. I haven't decided how to get it home yet. I will either take an Amtrak down to Baltimore and drive the car back or rent a car hauler from Uhaul and tow it home in the Cayenne S.

If I can get the title and register the M5 this week, I will train it down and drive back. If I cannot register it, I will have to tow it back.

Anything special I need to do to tow a 2003 M5 from Baltimore to NYC? The Cayenne should be able to handle this, right? Or should I borrow my cousin's Trailblazer that he uses t tow his race car? I'm not sure if I need anything special to make the electrical connections on the trailer to the Cayenne.

Thanks!!!

 

I gather you haven't towed a trailer with the Cayenne yet... The Cayenne can handle it just fine but if you pick up a trailer (car hauler) from U-Haul it will have LED trailer lights, and there you will have a problem.

I'll link to a thread with info on the adapter needed to use LED trailer lights in a min.

https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-...railer+adapter

 

Couple of things:

- make sure you have the required adapter installed. They don't come with the Polkak adapter from the factory. You can do a search on here to see what it looks like.
- max tow capacity is 7700 lbs but you should be fine even with an open steel trailer
- max tongue weight is 770 lbs. You should measure it just to be safe
- what Bill said about the LED lights
- make sure you down't rip the front spoiler off your M5 when loading/unloading as the UHaul trailer ramps are very steep. Also, the front of the UHaul trailer has tire stops so if your spoiler is very low, it tends to get caught. Some folks put the front wheels of the car on boards to raise the front spoiler over the tire stops. Look here: Vehicles with low ground clearance

 

Have you priced a car transporter? Probably cheaper, and a whole lot less hassle. You might ask your dealer's used car mgr to suggest a couple dependable ones. Just don't EVER post on one of the transporter websites.

 

I would like to correct one of your numb era. The max tongue weight is listed as 616 lbs and I know that is less than ten percent of the total towing capacity. I have had that discussion with engineers from Porsche and they just stick to their numbers.

That said, I have towed my Trailex enclosed trailer over 10,000 miles with a car in it with no issues. The Cayenne is a great mule. One thing, most states require the trailer to have brakes if the combined trailer and load are over 4500 lbs. Besides the correct adaptor you might want to have an electric brake controller installed. My suggestion would be have a Porsche dealer do it as they are splicing into wiring.

 

Good point - my mistake.

 

Thanks guys. I don't have trailer brakes, which is one of my concerns. Another is the LED issue. I'll research and try and find an adapter I can have delivered right away so I can have it for Saturday. I'm buying the M5 from the original owner (a physician from Baltimore that has meticulously maintained it) So I'll be on my own looking for a car transporter. But I will look online for a reputable one in the Baltimore area.

So I gather the weight of the vehicle won't be an issue. More so the the LED lights and being able to load it without ruining my bumpers. Thanks.

 

I'd save the headache and just take the train, or a one way car rental... then drive the car home.

 

PS I tow with the CS twice a week and it actually is a decent tow vehicle. I wish mine had the air suspension so it wouldn't sag in the back when hooked up but coming from 2 Range Rovers I like the simplicity of coils.

 

Love e39 m5's. The last of an era of great bimmers.

 

I agree. My wife questioned why I was getting such an old car. LOL She just doesn't understand that the E39 M5 is such a nice driver's car. Can't wait to pick it up. Hope to keep it for a long time.

 

btw, I think I'm going to have it shipped. Called a company and they can do it door to door for $340. no bad I think.

 

Good decision provided the carrier is recommended. Some are real sleazebags.

 

Actually, I'm pretty sure the brake requirement is for anything over 3,500 lb IINM. The U-Hauls have surge brakes which work OK (not great) until you try to back up a hill with the trailer, then they give you problems.

 

From Balt to NYC should only cost you about $300. From DC to NC the chap that bought my car paid $325 for open trailer last week. Car arrrived fine... I would have a lister or someone check it out though...