A new green member! - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-30-2017, 10:34 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Name: Sebastien
Trailer: 1300
Quebec
Posts: 6
A new green member!

Hello folks,

I beggin my search on the ultra light Fiber trailler.
I owned 2 Class B for 10 years, spend 6 months trip in 2013 in South Wesr and Baja California with my familly.

My need is:
My son will play in the USSDA next year with his Academy (Montreal Impact). We want to go and watch some of his game. So from Montreal all the games are between 300 miles to 500 miles one way!

So need only something light, for highway.
My car is a Golf sportwagon TDI 2L (230 pound torque)
I am 6'3
We need, bed, stove, fridg. Vsta potti is ok for us.

My questions are:
1) Do you think i can tow with the TDI? Not sure!
2) wich trailler have bed 75 inches or more?
3) Your suggestion?

Here is somes pictures of our blog of our 6 months.

Sébastien

Click image for larger version

Name:	17568275-A7C2-4085-8F22-7C247E0B7E52-582-000000F5A6BB28F6_tmp.JPG
Views:	40
Size:	61.5 KB
ID:	108066Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1310.JPG
Views:	37
Size:	305.0 KB
ID:	108067Click image for larger version

Name:	DD042B8E-FAB1-4713-B90B-C04E6400BD96-582-000000F53F7F664A_tmp.JPG
Views:	38
Size:	81.3 KB
ID:	108068
Safari997 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 01:19 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Civilguy's Avatar
 
Name: Mike
Trailer: Escape 21 & Jeep GC 5.7 (Previous 2012 Casita FD17 & 2010 Audi Q5)
Puget Sound, WA
Posts: 1,775
Registry
Quote:
Originally Posted by Safari997 View Post
My car is a Golf sportwagon TDI 2L (230 pound torque)
Sébastien,

Subject to confirmation, it looks like you might have a 2,000-lb towing capacity. In broad terms, I suggest this means looking for something around 1,000-lbs dry weight.

There are several threads on that subject here. You can enter the terms 'under' and either 1,000 or 1,500 in the search bar on the right side near the top. There's also similar threads on the web.

There are a lot of different philosophies regarding safety margin and that sort of thing. You'd also be well-served to learn about your vehicles gross and payload capacities along with your tongue weight and towing limits. A VW dealer can give you those numbers based on your VIN. After that, you should take time to read and learn about how they will impact your experience.
__________________
~ “It’s absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious.” Oscar Wilde ~
~ “What the human being is best at doing is interpreting all new information so that their prior conclusions remain intact.” Warren Buffett ~

Civilguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 01:52 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Name: Sebastien
Trailer: 1300
Quebec
Posts: 6
Thank you for taking time.
I have already a preference on the Trillium
1300.
This is interesting tinking that i can use my VW because love it!

If we are only 2 and it'a for weekend use, we won't be to heavy.

I can put 200 pounds on the hitch.

Sounds interesting.
Safari997 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 02:39 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
likeair2me's Avatar
 
Name: KAY
Trailer: SCAMP
Missouri
Posts: 377
Registry
Sebastian,

I had a 2015 Jetta TDI with an automatic. VW does not have a tow rating for that one. After trying to find a tow rating so I could put a hitch on and pull my 300 pound motorcycle camper, I found out VW would not honor any warranty work if I had a hitch. Even if I put a simple hitch to carry bicycles, they would not honor it. I found several owners on VW forums who had transmission issues that VW would not repair because of the hitch.

The CVT transmission is designed to carry passengers and luggage and nothing else. I got great mileage with that car, but the camper I could pull with an 1100 cc motorcycle sat for two years until they figured out their court settlement numbers. I have a different vehicle now. And a bigger camper.
likeair2me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 04:18 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Jon in AZ's Avatar
 
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
Registry
Never heard of a VW TDI with a CVT. I was under the impression they used dual-clutch automatics. Since the OP didn't say, it might also be a stick shift.

Either way, though, check the owner's manual for towing information.
Jon in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 04:36 PM   #6
Junior Member
 
Name: Sebastien
Trailer: 1300
Quebec
Posts: 6
The manual 6 speeds is rated 1000 on the ownet manuel, a it's realy conservative.
Peoples say 2000.
I think 1100 +400 maybe 1500 would be fine.
Drive slow in 5th speed could be easier like i already read.
Thanks for taking time.
By the way, in Canada à Golf sportswagen is a Jetta in USA.
Safari997 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 05:01 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
likeair2me's Avatar
 
Name: KAY
Trailer: SCAMP
Missouri
Posts: 377
Registry
Correction... CVT should have been DSG. I got so used to CVT's in previous cars, I forgot there was any other kind.

This was out of the VW manual...

"IMPORTANT: Towing a trailer of any kind with a vehicle that has a diesel engine and DSG automatic transmission will cause overheating and expensive engine as well as other damage to your vehicle that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. Never install a trailer hitch on one of these vehicles."

Here is the spec of a 2015 gas vs TDI. It doesn't say towing capacity anywhere.
Attached Thumbnails
cap.PNG  
likeair2me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 05:10 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Jon in AZ's Avatar
 
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
Registry
That's about what I expected. A number of folks have reported using Sportwagen TDIs to tow 13' molded trailers despite the low (or no?) rating. Most reported towing with manual transmissions and with only 1 or 2 people in the vehicle. Only you can decide whether it's worth the risk in terms of liability and warranty coverage to ignore the manufacturer's rating.

13' Scamps, Bolers, Trilliums, and similar usually have all the things you requested (some have an icebox instead of a fridge). Bed length is right at 75-76". One additional thing some do not have that you'll want is electric brakes on the trailer.
Jon in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 05:23 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
likeair2me's Avatar
 
Name: KAY
Trailer: SCAMP
Missouri
Posts: 377
Registry
Oh, and Sebastien, please give your son my congratulations for getting to the USSDA level. He must be very good, and you must be very proud of him.
likeair2me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 05:29 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Name: JD
Trailer: Scamp 16 Modified (BIGLY)
Florida
Posts: 2,445
Check for other opinions on the TDI CLUB website.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=43
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=255330
I towed for years with my 2009 and 2013 TDI Sportwagens.
We have a 16' Scamp.
I installed the complete Euro towing package with trailer module.
Not here in the US but in Great Britain it is rated 3600 lbs with a 200 lb tongue weight.
With the VW TDI buyback I replaced the TDI with a 2016 Town and Country.
With the Torque it tows well,
I figured that with the higher Diesel fuel prices I could get lower mileage and break even towing with the T&C. I got 25 - 28 MPG towing the Scamp
The T&C is more stable
Don't try towing with a VW without the Electronic Towing module that turns on the T-ESP or Trailer Electronic Stabilizer.
The DSG works great and the Module also remaps the engine fuel and cooling curves and the DSG shift points.
The TDI needs no added coolers since they all (oil and Transmission cool from the engine coolant,
This will not fix the problem of no rating in the US even though the Sportwagen TDI has won best tow car in the UK several times.
redbarron55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 05:33 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Mike Magee's Avatar
 
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,021
With a manual transmission I think you should be ok with a 13' egg like trillium or Scamp. Can-Am RV put a custom hitch receiver on a TDI and delivered bigger trailers all over Canada with it. Plan on driving with a light foot on the pedal.
Mike Magee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-02-2017, 06:30 PM   #12
Junior Member
 
Name: Sebastien
Trailer: 1300
Quebec
Posts: 6
Thanks everybody,
You help me a lot to save time and focus my searchs.
So happy that i could keep my TDI WV, tow a 13 feet Scamp or trillium.
I understand that i will have to put rhe right equipement for the hitch.

So large bed and keep my TDI!

Thanks.

Can someone tell me what do i have to instal on the car?
Safari997 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-02-2017, 07:11 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Name: JD
Trailer: Scamp 16 Modified (BIGLY)
Florida
Posts: 2,445
Check on the TDI forums for more information as to hitches/
There are few Us made hitches that I would consider to be adequate.
The Westfalia and Bosal are good ones and mount as VW engineered.
Here is a picture of what one looks like

The drawback is that these are not receiver type hitches and have 1,97" (50 mm) balls.
I let VW have two of these back on the buyback earlier this year.
In my opinion you also need to install VW trailer module.
P.F. Jones in the UK will sell you a setup for your TDI.
There are many who don't think that the VW without North American towing ratings should be used for towing and looking here might not pay dividends for you.
Here is one link to get an idea of how they mount
Westfalia euro-style towbar on an '09 JSW - TDIClub Forums
Here is a link to ID Parts for a Bosal hitch.
http://www.idparts.com/bosal-m-84.html
redbarron55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-02-2017, 07:35 PM   #14
Junior Member
 
Name: Sebastien
Trailer: 1300
Quebec
Posts: 6
Excellent!
Safari997 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New owner of a 1975 (Green) Trillium Lauren4c Hi, I am.... 11 04-25-2014 09:38 AM
Junior Member versus Senior Member ? Dave Baston Forum Admin, News & Announcements 5 01-02-2011 07:41 PM
Red Green's Modified Egg Gigi Modifications, Alterations and Updates 19 05-03-2006 02:29 PM
British Racing Green Casita Legacy Posts Modifications, Alterations and Updates 10 05-01-2003 03:17 PM
Green Beer Recipe Legacy Posts Camp Cooking, Food & Recipes 19 03-18-2003 04:33 PM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.