VW Touareg 2 towing capacity

[sfmcdermott]

I am going to buy an airstream soon and am seeking sage advise from those that know. My Touareg 2 has a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 lbs. Because it can tow this weight does not necessarily mean I should and would like to know if my thoughts are valid. I am of the mind people with the experience would know better and am hoping someone would advise me.

Thanks Terry McDermott

[ericwarren]

i have the same tv....
our 19' int'l tows like a dream.
not sure youd want to go much longer or wider with the t2.
i believe, however, it has been done.

[Devoman]

Got a 25 footer here without one problem yet.Pulls smooth as Butta.

[3Ms75Argosy]

What kind of mileage are you guys getting with the v8? Curious...
Marc

[sfmcdermott]

Sorry, the fellow above has a V8

[Devoman]

V8
Average for me has always been in the 10 to 14 mpg.Norms are around 12's if I remember correctly.I have to wait till the winter gets here to know what it runs again though.

V6 Touareg
Had a V6 Touareg when they first appear in America years ago.2003 model.It was a base v6 with some upgrades and I pulled a 19' Safari with an equalizer hitch.It pulled it fine.You could tell it was back there on the startup but once you got rolling you could not tell it was back there anymore.Pulled like a dream.
I used a prodigy brake controller and the oem hitch.
The T2 has the same setup still as the older models with just a few adjustments.

Do you have Air?

Another person to talk to is Aircooled on the club Touareg forum.He is always over there along with myself.

[Silvertwinkie]

23' would be as large as I'd go if I had one.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by sfmcdermott

I am of the mind people with the experience would know better and am hoping someone would advise me.

Thanks Terry McDermott

Good day Terry. From someone who has been there and done it, there is no substitute.

A number of years ago a popular Canadian RV magazine had a great article on the towing prowess of the Touareg. The following is key info from that article.......

Quote from Garth Cane (technical writer and towing guru, for RV Lifestyles mag):

"We borrowed a 30-foot Classic Airstream travel trailer equipped with a Hensley hitch from Andy and Kirk Thomson at Can-Am RV in London for our test of the Touareg. We weighed the combination at the Flying "J" scale on Highbury Ave in London to be sure that we were within the 7700 pound design limts of the Touareg’s towing capacity. The Airstream came in at 6700 pounds giving us another 1000 pounds of load carrying capability for food and clothing.

This SUV was a delight to drive, both solo and with a trailer in tow. I had to watch that I did not accelerate too quickly with so much power available at the wheels. The Touareg handled the trailer very well in sudden lane changes at highway speeds with no body roll or diving in the corners.

This is one fantastic tow vehicle that can tow a substantial trailer like the Airstream without any effort and in complete comfort.

[Airhog1]

Send Westfalia a PM...he is a Touareg guy!

G

[Silvertwinkie]

It's important to understand that new(er) 30' Airstreams weigh over 7000lbs dry and have a max GVWR of 10,000lbs. The lightest newer Airstream, the Sport ranges between 3500 and 4500 wet weight. 23 footers come in at about 6000lbs wet and the 25s come in around 7300lbs wet. Vintage trailers do weight less, but be careful, less in terms of dry weight.

Now with the 23s and 25s are you going to add 1000lbs of gear? Maybe, maybe not, but with a 28 or a 30' trailer, yea, yer gonna easily pass the tow rating of that VW. I would not contact an RV dealer, I would contact Airstream directly to see what they say.

The VW has lots of power and the diesel if you can find one are pretty nice rides. Things to consider in a TV are wheelbase, power, capacities, etc. There is a lot more to towing safely than just horesepower and torque.

[sfmcdermott]

Thank you everyone for your advice.

Terry McDermott

[johnroth]

Do you use a wd hitch? The Touareg manual seems to say not to use one. If you use one, which one do you use?

[mojo]

Depends on the size and hitch weight of the trailer and whether you have air suspension on the Treg.

I tow a 19' Bambi and have air suspension which automatically levels the load. I usually use a standard hitch with a sway bar. It tows fine without sway.

However I do have an equalizer hitch and have used it when towing with full water, bike rack (mounts on the trailer A frame over propane tanks) and a full load of stuff. The setting is light, but just enough to provide a little lift. it tows fine. You just don't want to be fighting with the cars air suspension. If you don't have air and have a 22'-25' TT, then you probably would want a WD hitch.

[tlavergne]

Originally Posted by Devoman

V8
Average for me has always been in the 10 to 14 mpg.Norms are around 12's if I remember correctly.

Are those mileage numbers with or without the trailer? I have a 1978 28' Ambassador that is around 4500lbs. empty. I would love to be able to tow with a Toureg if it can be done safely. Also, the mileage numbers would have to be decent during the year while I am not towing. Is anyone towing with the Toureg diesel?
Tom

[Devoman]

That was with the trailer hooked up.

[tlavergne]

What do you get without the trailer?

[Devoman]

15 to 18 mpg.
I live in florida so most everything is flat.

[reddirt14]

Would you consider the new Mercedes ML's (320 - Diesels) similar to the Toureg in towing capacity, length of trailer, etc.?

[Road Ruler]

The Mercedes is similar but it has been reported that to some degree it out shines the VW's in overall towing performance. That is the gas versions. Not sure what effect diesel option has in the whole equation.

[werpknarly]

Touarge towing cap.??? hahaha... not an isssue, even if its a 155 ton 747 ! !

YouTube - Fifth Gear: VW Touareg Tows A 747