[Isawelvis]

I recently towed a boat to the lake. First time ever for me. Backing the car and boat down the ramp, I was afraid I would get the X3 two far down the ramp or at least have the back wheels sitting on the wet part of the ramp. I was afraid as I pull the boat out, that the back wheels would start spinning ( it is 4 wheel drive version)

Do i need to worry about the back wheels being on the wet part of the ramp. What happens when the back wheels start losing traction. Will the front wheels continue to pull it our with the back wheels spinning. I remember something about on some cars you need to disengage traction control or something.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[Drothgeb]

Depends on how steep the ramp is, how big the boat is. And, is the ramp just wet or, is it slimy. Slimy, steep ramps can be a challenge depending on the size of the boat. The front wheels will continue to pull. And the traction control applies the brakes to the spinning wheel, so you may want to turn it off (try it both ways). We got the Sport Differential just for a little extra traction on the boat ramps.

[chassis]

Go for it. Fear not. Having said that, physics dictate a slope which is too slippery.

The xDrive system knows what to do. The transfer case has a clutch that is controlled when wheels slip. The traction control system modulates torque supply so as to not overwhelm available grip. It's all heady stuff.

The vast majority of boat ramps are not too steep. It just feels that way. I have been a boater for 50 years and have trailered boats for almost 40 of those 50 years. Don't worry.

[Bigspence]

If you feel nervous go to utube and watch a video of luxury midsize/small suvs 4wheel drive comparison. The X3 is so good it looks like it should be in a professional competition.

[Rilanaz]

Originally Posted by Bigspence

If you feel nervous go to utube and watch a video of luxury midsize/small suvs 4wheel drive comparison. The X3 is so good it looks like it should be in a professional competition.

Wow the X3 really made the rest of the field look like crap, particularly the Discovery and Macan! As someone that once had a daily commute that looked a lot like the course, makes me feel very confident in my purchase!

[X3Bimmer]

For those that would like to personally experience what their X series BMW is capable of on and off-road, I would strongly recommend a Performance Center Delivery (PCD) or one of their driving courses. Here are some pictures from our PCD on the off-road course. When the wheels are off of the ground it shifts power to the wheel or wheels with traction. Some of us knew that but it's still amazing to experience and whiteness it…

[keithguido]

Pretty cool!

[XDRESSER]

Great comparison video! Makes me want to try it.

[docal]

Originally Posted by X3Bimmer

For those that would like to personally experience what their X series BMW is capable of on and off-road, I would strongly recommend a Performance Center Delivery (PCD) or one of their driving courses. Here are some pictures from our PCD on the off-road course. When the wheels are off of the ground it shifts power to the wheel or wheels with traction. Some of us knew that but it's still amazing to experience and whiteness it…

That about says it all. I've had my M4.0 with the back wheels completely in the water on a fairly steep ramp and it pulls my 18 1/2 foot ranger out like nothing was back there. This is another example of this truly being a SAV for all seasons and desired driving experience.

[kevinkay]

My boat swims in the Ocean. Depending on the tide sometimes 3/4 of the back wheels are in salt water they always get hosed down at home but sometimes after many hours after the first dip

[Drothgeb]

Originally Posted by Isawelvis

I recently towed a boat to the lake. First time ever for me. Backing the car and boat down the ramp, I was afraid I would get the X3 two far down the ramp or at least have the back wheels sitting on the wet part of the ramp. I was afraid as I pull the boat out, that the back wheels would start spinning ( it is 4 wheel drive version)

Do i need to worry about the back wheels being on the wet part of the ramp. What happens when the back wheels start losing traction. Will the front wheels continue to pull it our with the back wheels spinning. I remember something about on some cars you need to disengage traction control or something.

Any comments would be appreciated.

When you first start trailering a boat, it’s a good idea to hang out around a busy boat ramp for part of a day, and just watch other people launch and recover their boats. Usually, that’s very educational, and sometimes very amusing. Once you watch others on the ramp, it’s easy to see what works and what doesn’t work.

One of the ramps I use is at a state park on the Chesapeake Bay. It has 11 double width ramps lined up in a row. They are not very steep, but with that many ramps, sometimes it’s crazy there. Great place to eat lunch and just watch. I’ve been trailering boats for 45 years, currently have 3 boats 1,000 - 13,000 lbs and I’m still amazed every time I go there. The people that launch jet skis out of the back of their vans are the best, especially when they back in a little too far! Luckily, there is always plenty off people around to help out when things go wrong.

[DenverSteve]

While it's something I would be using a Wrangler (or similar) for, this was fun to watch. I was a bit surprised by the Audi's results but happy to see that the X3 did so well.

[DenverSteve]

Change out your seats.....

[MR645]

4WD helps a lot. I used to have an old Jeep Wrangler to tow and launch a 3500lb bowrider. One busy day a dealer was unable to pull up his 10,000 lb open fisherman with a full size pick up, dually, but 2 WD. There was so much algae on the ramp from being wet all day there was no traction. I had no problem pulling his boat up for him in my little Jeep even though my Jeep was rated for 2000 lbs and the boat was at least 10k lbs. I did have to use 4WD Low but I got it up

[Chevyguy2021]

It will do fine