Towing With a Volkswagen Tiguan

[itsjussme]

I have a 2010 VW Tiguan that I tow my TM 2006 2720. My Tiguan has the factory towing package, AWD, and 4cyl Turbo. The towing package allows the trailer to be integrated into t he vehicles traction control. It will detect sway and apply trailer brakes automatically. If any lights are not working on the trailer the VW will warn you.

Just an FYI, if anybody else wants to try using a VW make sure you have them program the towing module for US standards or else your brake lights will not work. After a few trips to the dealer I found this bit of information on the VW forums. Apparently the US dealers do not know to check this, so you have to tell them.

[clan_salmons]

Have you ever weighed your TM? From what I can see, the tow rating on a 2010 Tiguan is 2,200 lbs. I'm concerned that you are well over that. Are you using a weight distribution hitch?

There may be one other feature you might not be aware of. Don't disconnect the TM after you lock your car doors. It will set off the car alarm. I found that out in the middle of the night.

[itsjussme]

I am familiar with the alarm feature.

As for the weight limit I did some research on that. The very same vehicle in Europe has a tow rating of 5000lbs. The only reason for the discrepancy that I could find were lawyers.

[clan_salmons]

Interesting. I wonder why they let the Touareg loose with a 7,700 lb rating. No way I would attempt that with my 6 cyl. Maybe on the flatlands, but not around where we like to go. For some reason I also like stopping.

[pmhellings]

With only 207 hp and about 200 lbs of torque, I think that you would be working that car pretty hard. If you were not towing in hilly terrain and had a good transmission cooler you might be OK

Paul

[itsjussme]

It does a good job with little strain. I will admit I do use extra caution as I know this vehicle isn't exactly American muscle. I allow extra stopping time and make slow easy starts. We live in what they call the foothills and there are some decent hills to climb and go down from time to time. I realize the real test will be when we go to the mountains. Going to the low state of SC and the coastal area is a breeze for this vehicle for sure.

I have talked to several VW owners on the VW forums that tow all the time. Haven't heard of any serious issues. Towing in Europe is pretty common and those Germans do a pretty good job.

Also, we do not take much with us. Nothing extra on the TM and we keep the load toward the front.

[bheisser]

Volkswagons are well known and capable tow vehicles,, check out this video

https://youtu.be/s3bAWScMdjs

[clan_salmons]

or these:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9F6tcN9e-9k

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r46BKOCVKGA

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WmM-635RR6o

[itsjussme]

Impressive.

[Padgett]

Have thought for years that direct injection plus boost in a gas engine would do anything a diesel could without the drawbacks. A good example is the Ford EcoBoost even if they can't figure out how to package or sell it. 3.5 is perfect for a tow car but they keep concentrating on the 2.7.

My Vixen was both the first diesel I ever owned and the most useful. 2.3 liter/115 hp but in a 6300 lb RV could keep up with traffic and run 65-70 all day (did have a non-stock second radiator and extra temp gauges because a turbo diesel will keep making power until it burns up). And that was 1980 technology. Company went under by 1989 though mainly because of the GM diesel disaster.

BTW is nothing wrong or puny about engines of the 80's, just before DOHC and VVTi&e all the power was low down for highway MPG (best at 2000 rpm at 70 mph) so power dies by 4000 rpm. HP is a function of RPM so seems really low for those cars. What you need to look at is the torque figures and the number of gears.

If anything good comes from the current diesel debacle, it is that we will be seeing more 87 PON engines with similar capabilities.