Towing limits for R36
What are the towing limits for R36?
I (foolishly) believed that my Passat would be able to tow a 1500kg caravan. According to the manual it can tow 1500kg but the towball download is limited to 85 kg which effectively limits anyone to an 850kg braked van/trailer under our common Aussie 10% rule. The manual actually warns against loading a caravan/trailer with weight to the rear to reduce towball download as it is dangerous (and I know from experience that it is). The Europeans do this with their caravans but they seem happy with neccessary lower speeds as they aren't going far.
Although I believe the Passat should have a much higher towball download limit, having seen how far the rear end drops with 250kg of pool salt in the boot with no rear seat passengers, I can see why the limit is so low. I would hate to think what a large(ish) Aussie caravan and two rear pax plus luggage in the boot would do to the poor thing.
Strangely, although I have the 125KW TDI, I have a manual supplement that states that the 103KW TDI can tow 1800kg on 12% slope or 2000kg on 8% slope with a masssive 90kg towball download. The supplement does not cover the 125KW TDI.
Granite Passat sedan TDI (125kw), DSG, beige leather
Candy White Polo 6R, 66TDI, DSG, no options
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