Anyone towing 1200kgs+ with Tiguan?

[DionM]

I have been toying with the idea of trading our Jetta TFSI (2.0T) in on a Tiguan 147TSI (same engine) or 125TDI.

Main reason is we now have a 1200kg offroad camper trailer, and obviously the Jetta cannot tow that. We have a real 4x4 for the hardcore offroad, but for gentle excursions to a National Park, a Tiguan could be the ticket - rather than taking the hardcore 4x4 (which is not all that comfortable for touring, I must admit).

However, our trailer is quite large (5.1m long, 1.8m wide, 1.6m tall) and heavy (1200kgs, probably closer to 1300 or 1400kgs when fully laden). While the Tiguan is rated to 2000kgs, anyone towed anything substantial with it? How does it go? Can you hold 100-120 km/h with it in tow?

I am also a little put off by the 100kg drawbar limit. Our trailer comes in at probably just a little over that as is, and even rejigging it we would be right on the limit. I am also concerned about how much the rear springs would sag with that much on the towball and a load inside (2 adults, 2 kids, clothing etc).

Anyone had an electric brake controller fitted?

So, anyone done any towing and care to comment?

[mickofoz]

Have a look at this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ueX-A3X6PY&feature=related

[Swallowtail]

Crazy isn't it - the jetta will tow up to 1400kg braked, but I think the drawbar limit on it is only 70 or 80 or something silly...

[clip]

Have a look at this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ueX-...eature=related

what's with the tig"U"un pronunciation? I thought it was tig"w"arn is in ig"W"arna?

[clip]

I have been toying with the idea of trading our Jetta TFSI (2.0T) in on a Tiguan 147TSI (same engine) or 125TDI.

Just buy a 125TSI and have it remapped. That will give you 190kw and 400Nm (think common 6cyl's- but with more torque than most of them). Should then tow your trailer at pretty much any speed you like to cruise on -with more in reserve, and it'll pull you up all the hills without having to change down too many gears.

[DionM]

Just buy a 125TSI and have it remapped. That will give you 190kw and 400Nm (think common 6cyl's- but with more torque than most of them). Should then tow your trailer at pretty much any speed you like to cruise on -with more in reserve, and it'll pull you up all the hills without having to change down too many gears.

There's more to it than just raw power and torque though - that is only part of the equation.

I'm interested in how the Tiguan handles a big load behind it. More power and torque doesn't change the way the vehicle responds to having full downball weight on the towbar, for example. Doesn't affect how stable (or not) the vehicle feels at high speed either.

Also not keen on remapping for a number of issues, including warranty and support for low quality diesel in remote areas. But that's my own opinion.

Have a look at this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ueX-...eature=related

Thanks mate - will check it out when I get home from work (youtube blocked here).

[team_v]

There's more to it than just raw power and torque though - that is only part of the equation.

Also not keen on remapping for a number of issues, including warranty and support for low quality diesel in remote areas. But that's my own opinion.

I believe Clip was talking about your choice of the 147 over the 125 rather than the actual towing capability.

The chip provides a better fuel consuumption, more even power figures and a bigger, more even torque curve which will result in a more driveable and tow-capable vehicle in regards to pulling weight.

The availability of fuel is a minor concern as they are making 95/98Ron the standard for unleaded in the next year or two.
Diesel isn't an issue with the 125/147

[clip]

I believe Clip was talking about your choice of the 147 over the 125 rather than the actual towing capability.

The chip provides a better fuel consuumption, more even power figures and a bigger, more even torque curve which will result in a more driveable and tow-capable vehicle in regards to pulling weight.

The availability of fuel is a minor concern as they are making 95/98Ron the standard for unleaded in the next year or two.
Diesel isn't an issue with the 125/147

couldn't have said it better I don't know any 125TDI's that can put out those figures.

[DionM]

Ah sorry, missed the TSI bit. My bad. Read TDI for some reason.

Sorry Clip. My other comments still stand though; interested in how the vehicle performs.

I'd still go the 147TSI simply for the goodies it offers as the "top end model"; or the TDI for the diesel option.

[Sharkie]

125 and 147 have the exact same engines ...... I'd recommend the 147 to anyone as I also like the extra goodies .... but for 1 small issue ... 147 is auto only ...

which would be easier to tow with anyway .....

[clip]

My other comments still stand though; interested in how the vehicle performs. I'd still go the 147TSI simply for the goodies it offers as the "top end model"; or the TDI for the diesel option.

No worries Dion, I think the Tig would pull the trailer fine. Unfortunately (for me anyway ) the Tig is fairly weighty (especially the TDI or Auto 147), and it is 4Motion, so I don't think it'll get too out of control, but it's definitely on the upper limit IMHO.

[DionM]

Have a look at this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ueX-...eature=related

Ah now I see it. Probably not the kind of info I need, but cool all the same

[Arctra]

There's more to it than just raw power and torque though - that is only part of the equation.

I'm interested in how the Tiguan handles a big load behind it. More power and torque doesn't change the way the vehicle responds to having full downball weight on the towbar, for example. Doesn't affect how stable (or not) the vehicle feels at high speed either.

I cannot comment first hand, but from what I've read on other forums (MyTiguan: http://www.mytiguan.com/viewtopic.ph...trailer#p46861) the Tig does really well with towing loads (see the last post where it's recommended for pulling caravans). Part of the reason getting the tow option is so expensive is the wiring harness/loom/whatever that comes with it that plugs into the Canbus and alters the way the Tig behaves when you connect a trailer. How does it alter the behaviour? I cannot be certain, but I'm guessing it alters the ESP/ABS to react better the the tail load and rear sway, and it would probably alter the way the power is split between front and rear. But I am speculating. The point is, it's supposed to cope with pulling a trailer really well.

[DionM]

Thanks for the link. Interesting reading.

Still not really comfortable with the low downball weight (I'd prefer 150kgs), but I shall do some more investigating.

Hmmm. Okay next problem I see is the way the factory towbar is mounted. I need a fairly high towball (offroad trailer) so that one really low to the ground is not going to cut it (trailer will be an a sharp nose-down angle, putting mroe weight on towbar).

I wonder if the Hayman Reece one will have a normal Class 4 hitch poking out so I can use normal riser receivers.

[Kyeema]

Friends of ours have a caravan weighing about 1400 kg. They borrowed our Tiguan to tow it to see how it would go (and if successful they would buy a Tiguan as well). No problem with lights, that all worked well, but they felt that going uphill the Tiguan needed all the power, although the car was certainly stable. Since the caravan would be heavier when fully packed, they decided the Tig would run on full capacity (uphill) all the time when towing, and that wouldn't be good for the car.
No problem for the occasional tow, but it would be unsuitable for a 2 week caravanning holiday, they thought.

We're talking about a Tiguan 103TDI 6 speed automatic.