Grenadiers Towing

[DCPU]

 

[Eric]

View attachment 7813043

I know that is a SWB defender on an IWT.
But I have seen pics of a grenadier towing a grenadier on IWT. How is legal, an IWT to tow 3.5T weights at least 890kg. So a grenadier is 2.8T + 0.89T = over the 3.5T vehicle limit, the trailer limit and in some cases over the drivers licence 3.5T limit. (Model dependant but in some cases things are getting close to the limits.)

 

[DCPU]

 

[DCPU]

I know that is a SWB defender on an IWT.
But I have seen pics of a grenadier towing a grenadier on IWT. How is legal, an IWT to tow 3.5T weights at least 890kg. So a grenadier is 2.8T + 0.89T = over the 3.5T vehicle limit, the trailer limit and in some cases over the drivers licence 3.5T limit.

Are you sure it was an IWT? I've only seen Ineos themselves using this trailer. I think it was discussed, but buried in a general thread maybe, but the trailer was French, lightweight aluminum(?) and when you looked at the specs it just came in under weight:

Car transport trailer from ALGEMA FIT-ZEL

Discover all car transport trailers of the company ALGEMA FIT-ZEL. Overview of all models and main data.

algema-fitzel.com

 

[Eric]

Are you sure it was an IWT? I've only seen Ineos themselves using this trailer. I think it was discussed, but buried in a general thread maybe, but the trailer was French, lightweight aluminum(?) and when you looked at the specs it just came in under weight:

View attachment 7813049

Car transport trailer from ALGEMA FIT-ZEL

Discover all car transport trailers of the company ALGEMA FIT-ZEL. Overview of all models and main data.

algema-fitzel.com

You're probably right and I can't see IA getting caught out. But in the UK it is something to watch out for as IWT are the biggest manufacture/supplier of trailers. As a rule of thumb, in my flatbed, I know if my load is 2.5T or less then I'm OK to tow.

 

[ECrider]

Great to see the Gren towing.

I like the shot with the back doors fully open which is handy.

And my D4 has some of those Lab claw marks on the doors!

 

[DCPU]

I like the shot with the back doors fully open which is handy.

Yes, it does vindicate the double door approach.

 

[DCPU]

 

[Highwayman]

I’m still waiting for my Ineos tow bar to be supplied, but frankly, I couldn’t wait any longer - I need a vehicle that can tow. So after asking the question of Ineos Heritage in Gloucester if there was any reason I couldn’t just fit a certified 3,500kg tow bar, they confirmed it would be fine. Thank You again for answering the phone, as I’m still waiting for my assigned dealer to return my calls, texts and emails after more than a week - I realise they are not going to! I also have had a formal letter from Ineos telling me they can’t give me a date when a tow bar will be available. So after a visit to my local agricultural fabrication shop and fitters, I picked up a tow bar. Two 16mm bolts, a torque wrench and 5 minutes later - problem solved.

I then decided to fit a 20mm spacer. I could have used the standard tow bar, but the hitch of my Ivor Williams came very close to the tow plate (didn’t measure it, but probably less than 10mm) and I didn’t want it catching on uneven surfaces. Sorry, forgot to take a picture.

This morning went cross country to Gloucester, with the last 10 miles on the motorway, to collect some pallets. Hardly towing much weight, so not much of a test, but it easily coped with the trailer. Motorway was effortless.

One thing I did notice was the lack of Sport mode in the gearbox. In previous BMWs with same engine and gearbox, Sport mode was excellent for towing. It changed up later in the rev range, taking the stress off the engine when climbing hills, and also changed down earlier on descents, giving excellent engine braking. I found leaving it in drive, it wanted to change up very quickly, even going up hills and you could feel the drive train dealing with the low down torque. Switching to manual override solved this, but so would the Sport mode.

I will follow up with Ineos and see if this can be added back into the BMW stack they started with via a software update. I doubt it, but it’s worth a question.

I’m not sure what the towing mpg was, but looking at the impact to my overall average mpg, it was in the ’teens. Most of the miles were minor roads crossing Cotswold hills.

 

[DCPU]

It looks to be towing pretty level, if anything slightly down? Maybe the ground, or weight in the boot?

 

[Highwayman]

It looks to be towing pretty level, if anything slightly down? Maybe the ground, or weight in the boot?

No weight in the boot, just my box of ratchet straps. It looked and felt level to be honest - I’m happy with it

 

[PBD]

Just wondering what you guys are putting in the back tyres? Ineos recon 49 psi but that seems a lot.

 

[Highwayman]

Just wondering what you guys are putting in the back tyres? Ineos recon 49 psi but that seems a lot.

I didn’t change mine today (37psi all round) and it was fine - no TPMS warnings

 

[ADVAW8S]

I have found that using the manual mode and the rev counter to be better choice when towing. I think the engine even in sports mode can't pick up what's ahead so the downshift or upshift end up being late.

 

[DCPU]

 

[Flewks]

Time for a jolly

 

[DCPU]

That's not small.

 

[DCPU]

More from FB:

 

[ECrider]

looks bloody marvellous towing!

 

[DCPU]