Trailering a SAN 230

[Klipper]

I just picked up a 2018 SAN 230 and I am happy to be a part of the Nautique family!

I was wondering if anybody has any experience towing a SAN 230 with a BMX X5 or X6? I know the towing capacity is 6,000lbs and that is pretty much what the boat and trailer weight give or take. I only drive about an hour max so it's not a long distance haul.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Dgee]

Which engine do you have in your BMW? I used to tow my old boat with my BMW X5 4.8is, it did well towing the boat but didn't love big hills. It's definitely not ideal and does put some heavy wear on the transmission, which I'm sure you're aware isn't a cheap replacement!

I don't tow my boat often unless we go on a trip since I keep my boat in the water for the summer months but we have a supercharged Range Rover now that does really well.

[j2nh]

Congrats on the new purchase, how about some pics?

How often would you be taking that one hour trip? It's an awful lot of weight behind a relatively light tow vehicle.

[Klipper]

I would be doing the trip a couple of times per year. Not very often. I have the 3 litre inline 6. I am a little worried about the weight but these vehicles are rated for it. I was hoping to get some real life experience asking on this forum.

pictures to come on the weekend!

[Dgee]

My wife had a 3.0 X5 years ago and I would of honestly never considered towing my 210 with it let alone a 230. I'd say it would be do-able with the v8 although not ideal, but you're going to kill transmissions and have one heck of a time getting around town let alone an hour long trip with the 3.0 straight six.

[Infinity]

Not so much, the approx "dry weight" of a 2018 SAN 230 is listed at 4650....which means that listed dry weight does NOT include the tower & speakers (200-300lbs?), 47 gallons of fuel/fluids (+/- 400lbs) or any gear (200lbs+ with cooler/boards/etc?)....that puts you more like 5500lbs. Then I assume you have a tandem trailer, which is right at 1500lbs. So real world numbers are more like 7,000lbs when you are pulling it down the road (very similar to my boat, tho I also haul lead so I figure 7500+ on my combo.

Anyway...not saying you cannot do it, just that its more than you think and if you figure that you are pulling 7k lbs with a vehicle that weights....maybe around 5k? You could get in some interesting situations when stopping if you gotta do it in a hurry tho I will say the newer trailer have some dang good brake system....especially if you installed electric over hydraulic (EOH) brake system.

I am one that thinks that the driver makes the biggest difference, not the tow vehicle cause I see 3500 desiel trucks pulling boats down the highway doing 80mph+ weaving in/out of traffic, etc and that can be more dangerous than a smaller SUV who is driving at 55, staying a safe distance back and paying attention. I trailer my boat everywhere with a 2016 1500 Chevy, granted it has the max tow package, lower gear ratio and is rated for 9,800lbs (without weight distribution hitch) but that is not technically what will make you illegal, its the GWVR, which is what the vehicle is allowed including the vehicle, trailer and ALL the payload in vehicle, I actually recently figured it up for my truck and I am within 100lbs of my max even tho by just looking at the numbers you would think I have another 2k lbs to spare.

I say all this for a simple reason, lot of places are cracking down on overloaded vehicles (Canada may not be one of them) and they are training State Patrol to know what to look for and starting to target people like us (not semi-trucks) and if they do bust you, its a pretty huge fine, lots of points on license....not to mention if you were to say: not be able to stop safely and rear end someone, then are gonna take one look at your pretty new boat, your new BMW....and grab their neck while falling to the ground screaming in pain and try to sue you for all you are worth. Even if its THEIR fault, you are done. Something small to consider.

[seveet]

I agree with infinity. That said, I have been towing my 230 for 4 years with my Acura MDX. It does scream a bit going up big hills, but otherwise does a pretty good job. I have considered adding a weight distributing hitch based on some conversations on this form, but have held off as it usually was a twice a year experience. Go slow keep reasonable distances an you will probably be fine. I recently borrowed my friend GMC Sierra to tow the boat from Michigan to North Carolina. I felt a bit more comfortable at highway speeds and going up hills, but overall it wasn’t that much different compared to the Acura.

[Klipper]

Thanks for all the comments. I think I will borrow my sister's F150 to do the job! Sounds like the X5 /X6 scenario is probably not a good choice!

[Blamey]

I am one that thinks that the driver makes the biggest difference, not the tow vehicle cause I see 3500 desiel trucks pulling boats down the highway doing 80mph+ weaving in/out of traffic, etc and that can be more dangerous than a smaller SUV who is driving at 55, staying a safe distance back and paying attention. I trailer my boat everywhere with a 2016 1500 Chevy, granted it has the max tow package, lower gear ratio and is rated for 9,800lbs (without weight distribution hitch) but that is not technically what will make you illegal, its the GWVR, which is what the vehicle is allowed including the vehicle, trailer and ALL the payload in vehicle, I actually recently figured it up for my truck and I am within 100lbs of my max even tho by just looking at the numbers you would think I have another 2k lbs to spare.

This is the most important point. If your concern is safety then how you drive is going to make the biggest difference. Assuming no big hills; slow driving (but not too slow that you are holding up the flow of traffic) and working trailer brakes, the X5 will do just fine. Weight wise the BMW weighs about the same as a F150 and the V6 will have plenty of power to pull the 230 along road and small hills. Brakes should work and will be totally fine if your trailer breaks are working.

but.... As others have said the issue is that you'll be at the limits of the vehicle's rated capacity and this opens you up to liability if something does go wrong. North Americans are pretty conservative on tow ratings and I am sure this car is rated to tow more in other countries but that doesn't help if you are over rated in Canada.


additionally, Is the tower really not included in the dry weight??