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04-25-2004, 09:15 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 561
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Proof's in the pudding...
Greets all! I owed some of you feedback.
Just got back from our first trip towing our 22' CCD with our V8 Touareg w/air suspension. I configured the rig with a weight distribution EAZ-Lift hitch exactly like that recommended to me by Garth Cane and Andy Thomson.
Was I concerned? Yes, a little. With Bluvalley's experience tainting the reputation of the Touareg, of course! But, I always found his story a little suspect at best. I took a chance. I bought the Treg to tow the CCD after talking to Cane and discussing towing with several other Treg owners.
Towed like a dream; no porpoising, no swaying on lane changes, stopped on a dime, accelerated into steep hills at 70MPH. Today was windy and the TV handled perfectly. The six speed auto was smooth and responsive. It's 310 horses amply powered the rig. We were at 7,400 feet. We climbed a 6% grade - no problem (heck! it was a pleasure!) while passing passenger cars struggling up the slope. It is all we could ask for in a very comfortable tow vehicle.
I can already hear some of the banter about WD, wheelbase, and the Tow Rig... Bottom-line? We're looking forward to seeing you out camping this summer! Hope this finds you well!
X
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04-25-2004, 09:17 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Limited
Ashland
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,610
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We are suckers for stories with happy endings Hope we see you on the road!
__________________
maxandgeorgia
1995 Airstream Classic Limited 30' ~ Gypsy
1978 Argosy Minuet, 6.0~Minnie/GPZWGN
Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison, 4X4, Crew Cab
WBCCI #5013 AIR #2908
WDCU
Go, Mizzou...Tigers on the prowl!
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04-25-2004, 09:43 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
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Hey X
I know nothing about your tow vehicle, but I know a lot of people
that blew their transmission. Sometimes the engine has plenty of power,
but the tranny is the weak link. Going fast uphill was one thing I was warned about( especially in hot weather). I also was told that transmissions get ruined when they slip back and forth between gears constantly. ( the reason
for not using overdrive ).
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04-26-2004, 08:17 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 561
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Hi Dave,
I am an active subscriber to the Touareg forums. Never has any transmission problem been reported as you describe - ever - in the Touareg forums. There are thousands of us constantly sharing experiences relating to towing, driving, and service.
Do you have something more specific like a technical bulletin or someone I can talk to about it? Or are you referring to something non-Touareg specific?
Thanks,
X
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04-26-2004, 08:42 AM
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#5
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Patriotic
1973 23' Safari
North of Boston
, Massachusetts
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,546
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fill me in, here...must've missed something. I thought that the Toureg didn't actually have the towing capabilities that it originally claimed, and you couldn't use a wd hitch with it, etc, etc...what happened to all that? and what about the airbag suspension system, and the claims that it is a bad idea to tow w/ such equip.....????
glad to hear its working out, in any case.
__________________
Air:291
Wbcci: 3752
'73 Safari 23'
'00 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 QC
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04-26-2004, 09:11 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 561
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck
fill me in, here...must've missed something. I thought that the Toureg didn't actually have the towing capabilities that it originally claimed, and you couldn't use a wd hitch with it, etc, etc...what happened to all that? and what about the airbag suspension system, and the claims that it is a bad idea to tow w/ such equip.....????
glad to hear its working out, in any case.
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Chuck,
Thanks.
Like I said, proof's in the pudding... Works great as a tow vehicle as originally claimed by VW (at least with my 22' CCD). Bluvalley claimed he experienced porpoising, sway, etc. pulling his 22' CCD and got VW to buy back his Treg. But, the VW exec who authorized the buy-back was fired for doing so.
The truth is, VW stands by its original specifications for towing i.e. #7700 tow weight, #616 tongue weight with or without WD using air suspension or without.
I couldn't be happier. I've towed before. The Touareg was flawless in its first outing.
See you on the trail.
X
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05-03-2004, 08:05 PM
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#7
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New Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2
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X, boy am I glad to see a happy Touareg tower. I went to have my electronic brake controller installed this weekend. That was not a problem as it just plugged into the receptacle under dash. When the trailer dealer tested the connections in the rear plug in installed by VW he got flashing/pulsating signals and that VW needed to reprogram the plug receptacle.
Did you have to anything done to your's??
Don
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05-03-2004, 08:59 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 561
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Donald,
Couldn't be happier with our Tow Rig.
Using the VAG-COM (VW dealer's computer), have the dealer change field 69 from 1 to 2. That is what I am told is the fix. Mine is fine.
Best regards,
X
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05-03-2004, 09:47 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
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Hey X
It's me again..I wasn't refering to your tow vehicle, as I have never towed with it.
I was talking in general. Speed, hills, and heat have killed quite a few 3500's amongst
my friends. The owners of the 3500's ( and 350s) were very proud of their heavy duty rigs, and they were glad that they didn't have to worry about babying their tow vehicle. Guess again.
I am confused about how tow capacity is determined and how the numbers changed from year to year. Maybe the suits picked a number out of a hat until they picked a number that was higher than the competition.
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05-04-2004, 07:26 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 561
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mandolindave
Hey X
It's me again..I wasn't refering to your tow vehicle, as I have never towed with it.
I was talking in general. Speed, hills, and heat have killed quite a few 3500's amongst
my friends. The owners of the 3500's ( and 350s) were very proud of their heavy duty rigs, and they were glad that they didn't have to worry about babying their tow vehicle. Guess again.
I am confused about how tow capacity is determined and how the numbers changed from year to year. Maybe the suits picked a number out of a hat until they picked a number that was higher than the competition.
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Dave,
That's what I thought. Nothing Touareg specific, just a general reference to all tow vehicles.
Thanks!
X
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05-04-2004, 01:45 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
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Beating a dying horse
Hey X,
My mechanic put synthetic coolant in my after market transmission
radiator. He said I should expect up to a 20 degree heat reduction. He also
said excessive heat will destroy a transmision. My perception is that all
it takes is one 85 degree day, one big long hill, and one lead foot to do the damage. ( Use overdrive and the AC if you want kill it quick ). I know this
isn't scientific, but I never broke my trans. And I think it is because I
didn't do what my friends did while they blew up theirs.
What was this thread about anyway ?
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