Tiguan Towing

[jcortez]

Hi all - i thought id start a new thread regarding towing capacities.

First of all I have on most reviews that towing up to its max capacity of 2500kg is merely impossible due to the towball max download of 100kg however I have found another company that has a towball download of 140kg.

Has anyone used these or heard of these before? If not what towbar is every using?

TIGUAN | Towbars Australia
TIGUAN | Towbars Australia

Hayman Reese = 100kg download weight
http://www.haymanreese.com.au/parts/03190rw-4127135

[Hillbilly]

The towing limit of any vehicle is either the limit imposed by the manufacturer of the vehicle OR the capacity of the towbar
WHICHEVER IS THE LESSER
The towball limit is set by the MANUFACTURER of the vehicle and should not be exceeded for engineering reasons.
Doesnt matter what the towbar maker says. Even if you put the higher capacity one on you hsould still not exceed the 100kg set by VW.
Or you may end up like Xtrail owners that the towbar bolts pulled out of the chassis

[doc_777]

^ what he said.
A tow bar manufacturer cannot exceed the limitations stated by the vehicle manufacturer (regardless of what they advertise).

There is nothing stopping you towing a couple of tonne with under 100kg tow ball mass. What matters most is weight distribution within the trailer, axle position and travel speed. It is common in Europe to have towball mass in the 5 - 8% range (of gross trailer mass).

[Hillbilly]

^ what he said.
A tow bar manufacturer cannot exceed the limitations stated by the vehicle manufacturer (regardless of what they advertise).

There is nothing stopping you towing a couple of tonne with under 100kg tow ball mass. What matters most is weight distribution within the trailer, axle position and travel speed. It is common in Europe to have towball mass in the 5 - 8% range (of gross trailer mass).

As an ex caravanner it is worthwhile pointing out that Euro vans are built rather differently to Aussie behemoths and tow rather differently to ours. Hence they have lower ballweights. An Aussie built van can be unsafe to tow with a 5% ballweight due to its weight distribution nad usually is recommended to have AT LEAST 10% ball weight of AGGREGATE trailer mass EG van weighs 3000kg loaded 300 kg ball

[doc_777]

As an ex caravanner it is worthwhile pointing out that Euro vans are built rather differently to Aussie behemoths and tow rather differently to ours. Hence they have lower ballweights. An Aussie built van can be unsafe to tow with a 5% ballweight due to its weight distribution nad usually is recommended to have AT LEAST 10% ball weight of AGGREGATE trailer mass EG van weighs 3000kg loaded 300 kg ball

Ex-caravanner here too - which is why I specifically raised the point about weight distribution. And you will notice that a lot of Jayco vans (the largest manufacturer in Aus) now have a lot of vans with much lower than 10% of GTM towball mass.

[Hillbilly]

Ex-caravanner here too - which is why I specifically raised the point about weight distribution. And you will notice that a lot of Jayco vans (the largest manufacturer in Aus) now have a lot of vans with much lower than 10% of GTM towball mass.

Never liked Jayco they are like certain body parts Everybody has one. But I take your point and it is also affected by how much and where its put. When Gran and Granny take the whole house and just load her up and away we go. Groan goan goes the engine LOL

[doc_777]

Never liked Jayco they are like certain body parts Everybody has one. But I take your point and it is also affected by how much and where its put. When Gran and Granny take the whole house and just load her up and away we go. Groan goan goes the engine LOL

Good point! I believe that the various roads authorities are infringing an ever-increasing number of grey nomads for exceeding GVM (and GCM in some cases) for loading up their dual cabs and hitting the road.

What I think the Euro’s got right was (effectively) a monocoque construction, and centralised mass for heavy things like kitchens. The front or rear kitchen in Aussie vans is a uniquely Australian thing it seems.

[iDiesel]

Are there any Euro vans imported and sold in Australia?

[Hillbilly]

Are there any Euro vans imported and sold in Australia?

Yes but be very careful buying one and make sure it is fully compliant as English gas regs are different to here and all piping etc must be replaced as well as some appliances Some electrical stuff is also not compliant.
Brands are Adria, York,etc. Jurgens which are imported and fitted out here and would be the safest buy.
Private sales could be dodgy because people can import non compliant vans and use them but they must be fully complied if they sell them and SOME ARENT

[veew]

Good news (if a bit premature)! Apparently there is an internal memo from VW going around stating that the Mk2 Tiguan's tow bars will be rated for a downball weight of 200kg. This applies to new vehicles and will also apply retrospectively to ones already sold!

Apparently prospective buyers are being informed of this. Just thought you guys might like to know and also to keep an eye out for a formal memo to post up in the forums.