Pics of your tow vehicle?

Just don't use VR1. That *************** will ruin it.

I write this for folks considering a tow vehicle for their Ski Nautique. I have owned a Ski Nautique model 2001 (a 1986 & 1989 ) for about 20 years and have towed this with 5 different vehicles in several different USA states. I will list and describe these vehicles in the order I owned them. I will convey the Good, the Bad, and the uncommon repairs. I will then express some opinions, some story in a conclusion at the end of the vehicle descriptions.

1992 Ford Crown Victoria – Police Model, Bigger Brakes, 4.6L motor, Automatic Transmission, owned from 80k miles to 150k miles. @3900lbs.   15mpg towing – 20mpg unladen
     The good:      Extremely stable on pavement when towing – the best
               Extremely stable on icy roads in Minnesota – inspired confidence!
               Enough traction with snow tires in rear and factory limited slip
               Automatic Transmission made boat launches extremely easy
     The Bad:     Completely feeble in dirt boat landings common in northern Minnesota
     Repairs:     Transmission at 108k miles - $1100 shop (in 1997)
               Fuel pump at about 140k miles - $150 shop
               Added increasing rate springs in rear at 90k miles - $200 shop
               Window switch in driver side door - $50 self

1972 Ford F100 4x4 – Ugly green paint, purchased in California for $1800 with a wonderful rebuilt 390, headers, small spread-bore carburetor. 4spd manual transmission. Owned from 130k miles to 160k miles. @4200lbs. 12mpg towing, 12mpg unladen.
     The good:     Terrific low end torque
               Great for logging roads in Montana during hunting season
               I didn’t worry about scratching the paint !
               A predictable running truck that required some insight and maintenance
               The manual drum brakes worked well when adjusted
               Burned NO oil !
               Sold for $1300 – very inexpensive truck to own – even after some repairs.
               No problem pulling boat from any dirt landing !
     The Bad:     In heavy fog, 34 degrees, at 6000’ elevation, the carburetor venturi froze once while driving
               Unstable rear end resulted in some felt lateral push from trailer
               Slightly long and large in tight parking lots
               Minimal depreciation, but considerable maintenance for me.
               Spousal disdain for the slightly leaky exhaust headers and general appearance
               Open differentials front and rear
               Needed snow tires to manage deep snow without getting stuck.
     Repairs:     Clutch - $350 self
               Carburetor choke converted to manual - $50 self
               Front inner axle seal - $30 self
               Some power steering work $150 self
               Distributor converted to Pertronix - $75 self
               Jacobs Omni Pak $180 self
               Several other smaller items…

1999 Ford Super Duty 3/4 Ton – V10, 5 speed manual. Owned from 0 to 45k miles. @5400lbs.   11mpg towing, 13mpg unladen.
     The Good:     Spousal approval !
               Fuel Injection is so pleasant
               Air conditioning is pleasant too
               Could place kids in small extended cab for road trips
               Easily enough power and drivetrain for any towing
               No problem pulling boat from any dirt landing
               Towed 12000 trailer with 6000lb truck when moving from Montana to Nebraska
     The Bad:     Longer and larger in tight parking lots
               Open differential front and rear still required snow tires for deep snow
               A very cumbersome vehicle to drive when not towing
               Unstable rear end still resulted in some felt lateral push from trailer
               More repairs than expected – especially for a new truck
     Repairs:     1-3 ball joints – warranty          
               1 wheel bearing - warranty
               1 universal joint - warranty
               1-2 others that I don’t remember - warranty
The list of repairs didn’t inspire long term confident in ownership

2005 Toyota Sienna LE – V6, Front wheel drive, Automatic Transmission, Factory Transmission Cooler. Owned from 0 to 208k miles – still owned. This was my primary tow vehicle until late 2014. @4200lbs. 15mpg towing, 20mpg unladen.
     The good:     Terrific family vehicle
               Can fit loads of kids and gear
               Can fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood laying flat with seats reclined/removed !
               Might use 1 qt oil per every 3000 miles currently
               Vehicle stability control on winter roads inspires confidence
               Traction control on boat launches works perfect
               Any paved boat launch has been no problem
               Enough power, decent brakes and the automatic transmission still lives
               A very practical vehicle!
     The Bad:     The sliding doors are extremely prone to freezing shut during winter
               Attempting to open a frozen door will result in a “Beep, Beep, Beep”
               The “Beep, Beep, Beep” WILL CONTINUE WHEN DRIVING !
               Bad heater during winter – big vehicle cabin + ordinary heater = bad !
               Some sag on rear end under tongue weight
               Dirt boat landings are untenable
               Not very manly
     Repairs:     2 Air Conditioner Compressors $2400 shop     
               1 Alternator $150 self
               2 Timing Belts – $2400 shop
               3-4 Power / Sliding Door repairs - $2000-3000 total shop
               Power Sliding door repair pending $1500 – decision – it will never open again
               Struts & Shocks at 150k miles - $800 self
               Spark Plug replacement requires removal of intake manifold : > (          

2004 BMW X5, 3.0, 6 spd manual. Owned from 135k miles to 185k miles and currently owned. @4400lbs. 20mpg unladen, 15mpg towing.
     The Good:     VERY stable chassis/suspension with no perceived lateral sway in rear end
               Enough power
               1st gear on the transmission is a crawler-gear and perfect for boat launches
               Very good heater and temperature controls – no problems
               No problems with fancy BMW accessory items (i.e. windshield rain sensor)
               Wonderful maintenance accessibility – very easy to work on
               VERY good underbody rust prevention – much better than my 2 Toyotas
               The doors always open during winter : > ) !!
               Can fit a speed queen clothes washer in the rear
               Split upper and lower rear hatch is great for access, space and loading.
               Dirt boat landings are no problem
               Smaller than traditional truck and great in parking lots
               The most car-like vehicle possible that can really tow the Nautique anywhere
     The Bad:     I still worry about encountering a complicated expensive repair     
               Self-maintenance is necessary to avoid expensive maintenance costs.
               Researching and using good repair parts is necessary.
               The initial honeymoon ended a few years ago, but this is a really good vehicle.
               Automatic transmission models feel gutless when driving.
               My 6 speed has perceived torque, but vastly less than my 1972 ford 390 V8.
     Repairs:     2 window regulators – $200 self
               Oil Filter Housing gasket – $500 shop
               Broken Brake Line - $500 shop     
               Various suspension control arm, ball joints & bushings - $800 self
               CV Axle – PITA - $100 self
               BMW brake pads slightly more expensive than Toyota
               BMW V8 engines from this era may seem great, until the timing chain guides expire.

Conclusions:

In my conclusions I will address large cars, the BMW X5, and Big trucks.

Large cars and wagons can be excellent towing vehicles, but today there are risks. For many years my grandfather towed his fiberglass boat with an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser station wagon.   An uncle with a mammoth fiberglass boat conveyed his large sedan was his favorite towing vehicle. My 1992 Crown Victoria was extremely stable. But, the local Mercedes dealership wasn’t willing to sell me the 4400lb Euro hitch for an E Class. And, the unfortunate current reality in the USA is litigious, and I wasn’t willing to risk a lawsuit like these:

https://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/improperly-equipped-pickups-costing-businesses-millions-in-lawsuits/

I really wish to avoid litigation, so my decision was confined to some vehicle with a legitimate towing rating via USA standards. I really wanted a Toyota Land Cruiser, but they were more expensive and sucked vastly more gas than a BMW X5.   I hoped the BMW maintenance would cost less than the Land Cruiser gas. Thus far, I have been correct.   

Purchasing or owning any significantly used vehicle will result in maintenance costs, but these costs are almost always less than the depreciation / payments on a newer vehicle.
Three years ago my wife and I went shopping for a new/newer car for her longer drive to work. After living with the Toyota Sienna’s terrible heater, she really wanted something with a heated steering wheel and respectable heat. She also wanted to sit higher to see over some of the morning traffic. We went car shopping on the coldest January days in Minnesota : > ) !. After driving several cars including some new/newer fancy Toyota & German SUVs, we both agreed that my older 2004 X5 was and remains a very solid pleasant-driving car. It has aged extremely well, and better than my older Toyotas in most regards.   

We eventually purchased a 2005 X5 3.0 with an automatic transmission in January for $5500. It had very good heat, was well maintained via documentation, and had a heated steering wheel. My wife was happy ! However, THIS vehicle experienced 2 “fancy” problems. First, when summer arrived, we discovered a significant oil leak. The smell of burning oil was coming from somewhere. Driving with the windows down was impossible. There was no oil under the parking location and profoundly little residue on the inside of the aluminum belly pan. The car wasn’t losing any significant oil on the dipstick, but the burning oil odor was obvious. I looked diligently and thought I may have found a leaky seal for the passenger side CV axle. I replaced the seal, but the smell was still present. The local independent repair shop discovered and showed me that the oil was leaking slightly from the rear of the oil pan, dripping on the torque converter and slinging onto the exhaust pipe : > ( . Replacing this oil pan gasket requires significant work : > ( . The cost was $2000.   Second, the panoramic sunroof stopped working and got stuck.   I read about this online and kinda’ thought it would happen and it did.   Repair would have been $1500, but we decided not to have this repaired.   The repair shop was kind enough to disconnect the switch necessary actuate the motor and my wife was happy with a fixed-glass sunroof in her car. My wife is indeed a gem !

Big Trucks are completely unnecessary for towing a 3500-4000lb boat or trailer. The only reason to purchase one is for day-to-day enjoyment. Some guys and gals really enjoy driving a larger truck. I don’t.