Hi all
Very interested in buying a fully loaded 13' Basic. I'd like to hear from folks who have VWs or similar 4 cylinder cars and their thoughts / experiences.
Thanks
2016 VW GTI 200 hp / 250 ft lbs torque
Wed, 12/27/2017 - 08:34
#1
Towing with a VW
Not much out there on specs for towing with GTI probably because there are only a couple of VW models that are rated for towing.
http://www.jennings-vw.com/blog/how-much-can-every-volkswagen-tow/
https://www.stokesvw.com/blog/which-volkswagen-models-can-tow/
You could ask at your dealer, but most likely will tell you it's not rated to tow. Certainly can't recommend it here based on what information I've found.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
The 2.0 TFSI/TSI can tow a Scamp no problem.
Problem is the tounge weight on the frames. The only VWs that I would tow with art the Tiguan (best in class tow at 2200 lbs with a 250-300 lbs tounge weight), Toureag or Atlas.
I would not tow with the remainder of the current VW model line.
Just my opinion, I'd never want to tow any sort of a trailer with a car.
British info has a 3500 lbs tow rating. I’m assuming the TW would be the same that I’ve found in US info.
I wouldn’t recommend looking at any European tow figures. It is well-known they are usually skewed against the US #’s. Your insurance company will use the mfgr published US tow ratings to determine if you were towing within limits and will most likely void any claims if they determine you were towing outside the limits. Manufacturers have also been known to void car warranties if towing above recommended limits.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
We have a 2016 VW Tiguan which tows our 2016 13 foot Deluxe Scamp (no toilet/shower) with no problems whatsoever.
Just to be on the safe side we ordered our Scamp with electric brakes.
Granted, it was a different era. In the late 70s we towed our basic 1974 13' SCAMP with a 1975 VW "squareback" (65 hp) from Portland, OR to Indianapolis, IN (and return).
I drove out to Backus last July and picked up a 13 foot front bed standard with my 2015 Subaru Forester, 6 speed manual, 174 hp, 175 lb tongue weight. I've towed it 3,000 miles to date without any issues. I ordered it with one propane tank, carry very little in the camper itself and tend to put weight on the floor or under the bed. My 2010 Forester with the same engine and transmission had a tow rating of 2,400 lbs. My 2015 is rated at 1,500 lbs.Subaru had no explanation as to why the difference. I like the car!.It works and I am not trading the Subaru in for a different vehicle. When it is time to trade it in, I will however consider a vehicle with a greater tow rating
Anthony Memoli
I have been lurking for a while on this forum, but decided to join to reply here. VW does not give certain US spec cars a tow rating to cover themselves for warranty work. Most of the cars they sell here are equipped with the DSG transmission. This transmission is awesome, but has a weakness when it comes to towing. The issue is only with slower than walking conditions while loaded, which happens frequently when trying to park a camper. If you can get going quickly, and park without creeping, you won't burn out the clutches. Otherwise trade in the awesome GTI for something with a tow rating. Subaru Outback is a popular choice for the 13'.