Touareg-will it not be enough power to tow?

[jb1974]

Hello Everyone

We are strongly considering buying a 1969 Overlander International.

I am worried that our touareg might not be able to handle the weight.

The touareg (V8) can handle 7700 lbs and the Overlanders total weight is 4525 lbs, but once you get your stuff in there it will be much more (maybe 5500).

Should there be more of a reserve of extra weight it can handle?

I really want to get this, but am worried we are cutting it close.

Thanks

[JFScheck]

With my personal experience I would say you are fine - but I would invest in either a Hensley or ProPride Hitch - and I'm assuming your Overlander won't be longer than 25 - 27 feet.

I tow a 25 footer and with the ProPride I have ZERO issues all through the mountains, deserts, past big rigs and cross winds, etc.

If you can - do a search on "Touareg" on this forum and you will be brought up to speed to include instructions on how to build your brake controller harness.

BTW - Welcome!!!

[mello mike]

You should be fine. I agree with JF, with the shorter wheelbase of the Toureg I'd make sure I bought a good WD/AS hitch.

[Road Ruler]

You will have a problem..........................................

.............keeping it under 100kph

[Holzarbeiter]

It should be fine

[olddog299]

The V-8 is fine for what you propose. Our 2004 V-6 is slightly under-powered for our 25' Excella when fully loaded, but only just. I wouldn't hesitate to take it along the coast -- it's stopping while coming into West Virginia in Huntsville that scares the bejeesus out of me... :')

[Westfalia]

My V8 has successfully pulled my 7000lb 27'FB with little problem at low altitude. I'm not sure how well It would do at real altitude or long mountain passes, but the V8 in the Touareg always ends up surprising me. Watch your tongue weight. Does your V8 have air suspension?

[jb1974]

Thank-you so much everyone for your input!!

Yes, we do have the air suspension.

I feel better knowing we should be okay We will most likely be replacing all the appliances and removing the oven, maybe this will lighten the load further and help a bit?

We are heading out to see the AS on Saturday and I am hoping that this is the one (we have seen 7 already this month and the hubby is getting tired of travelling for hours on end to end up with nothing LOL)

[Road Ruler]

A few hundred pounds here or there won't make a difference when towing a Stream.

We have towed our 3,500lb dry weight 23' dry and then with it travel ready at 4,500lbs. With the exception of feeling the weight slightly when accelerating up to speed it tows and feels the same.

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by jb1974

I am worried that our touareg might not be able to handle the weight.

I really want to get this, but am worried we are cutting it close.

No, you are not cutting it close at all. You have a great deal of reserve capacity here. Don't go lightening the trailer! Contact Andrew T via this forum if you have setup questions or issues. You may find it worth your while to drive to his store south of London (just over an hour away for you) to have his people to undertake your setup for you. They have done T-regs and Cayennes before.

FWIW, I tow a '75 Overlander with a Volvo sedan. I'd like more power, but it works and stability is a complete non-issue, using a conventional weight distributing hitch and friction sway controls.

[eubank]

We had a Touareg towing a smaller TT here a couple of weeks ago. A neat feature is the suspension, which allows one to lower the rear while pulling under the hitch. One of the more interesting points the owner brought up was that (according to him) Touareg doesn't want folks to use weight-distribution hitches. I guess it mucks with the automatic leveling system on the automobile side.

Lynn

[arcamedies]

By using the 80% ideal rule you can easily tow 6300 lbs. Even if you are at 85% you'll easily climb hills and be comfortable towing under all circumstances. Anytime you can add something to dampen sway you are safer regardless of length of the tow vehicle.
There is a video on youtube of a long wheelbase truck being flipped by the trailer it was towing in a severe crosswind gust. (whitebox trailer, square sides, no shocks)
Happy trailering

[jb1974]

Well we bought it!!! We are so excited!! It is being delivered by the seller in 2 weeks as we need to get the Hensley, wiring harness etc which could take some time-the guy has family close by anyhow... It is in pretty good shape which is surprising for its age.

Hopefully we can take it out in a month for some camping

I did not know that place was there in London, very handy for us!

At least we feel better about our purchase after reading everyones replies, thanks!

[Road Ruler]

Great!.. Post some pics when you get it all hooked up.

[Westfalia]

JB, take a moment to familiarize yourself with and join Club Touareg, a sister forum to Airforums (same owner, AndyR). Towing questions will arise and the towing discussion is, naturally, more Touareg oriented and will have little tidbits like how to reprogram the vehicles computers for trailer stoplight problems, part numbers, etc. You will enjoy being a Touareg owner. I have been since late 2003!

Congrats on your purchase!

[ALANSD]

What kind of mileage are you all getting with that V8? I would like to improve on the 12-13 I get towing with my V10 Ford.

[Westfalia]

It wont't be any better. I get 13-15 hwy with the V8 without towing. 11-12 towing, best.

[NicheVintage]

When we owned our 04 V8 Touareg we were getting 11.6 in city driving. 13-16 hwy. We never had the chance to tow with it so I cant say much about that mileage.

[ALANSD]

thanks- reality is I guess 12 or so is as good as it gets ..at least it runs regular and is big as a small house inside

[NicheVintage]

We always ran Chevron 89 minimum and usually 91 octane because it would begin to ping with 87. Of course ours may have just been a temper mental Treg.