Is Curt Trailer Hitch, # C11702 Strong Enough to Tow an 800 Pound Boat and Trailer

Question:

?Maximum gross trailer weight: 2,000 lbs ?Maximum tongue weight: 200 lbs can i pull a n 800 lbs trailer/sailboat with this hitch? 325 bmw...

asked by: William

Expert Reply:

First, the Curt Trailer Hitch, # C11702, is designed to fit the following vehicles:

1989 - 1990 BMW 3 Series Convertible
1984 - 1986 BMW 3 Series Sedan and Coupe, except M3
1987 - 1988 BMW 3 Series Sedan, Coupe and Convertible, except M3

If your 325 falls into one of the above vehicle and year ranges, the hitch will fit. Regarding the gross trailer weight at 2,000 pounds, this is the maximum weight the trailer hitch can tow. The weight would include the trailer and the cargo and anything else on the trailer such as a tool box mounted on the tongue or a water tank (including the water).

The tongue weight is the vertical weight at receiver opening. Trailer weight should be between 10 and 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. For this hitch, it is a maximum of 200 pounds. Since the boat and trailer combined weight is 800 pounds, it is well under the gross trailer weight capacity.

And 10 to 15 percent of an 800 pound gross trailer weight would be 80 to 120 pounds of tongue weight, so the hitch is more than capable of handling this load. The hitch comes with a ball mount, pin, and clip. The ball mount should be used in the rise position only. For a ball, use # 19256 for a 1-7/8 inch diameter, or # 19258 for a 2 inch diameter.

For trailer wiring, I would need to know the specific year and model BMW 325 you have.