Towing with weight distribution hitch

[Kenny B]

Hi

New to the forum with a Touareg V6 Diesel on order, delivery expected in April.

I am looking for info on using weight distribution hitches to ease some of the tow ball weight from a caravan. I tow a 23.7ft van weighing around 2700kg with 220kg tow ball weight.

I found some info on the US forum stating from one source that weight distribution units should not be used on the Touareg, as they are not designed for them and can break them off. Also found other info on the forum stating they are ok to use ?

Does anyone use these when towing a van or have any info on their suitability for use on a Touareg ?

Thanks

Kenny

[liquid99]

Hi Kenny

I tow a 3t van with, depending on load, around 250kg on the ball. Mine is a TDV6 with air suspension. Up till now I have not used a WDH but the caravan manufacturer is most adamant they be used, regardless of the air suspension. I also have seen the O/S advice where apparently VW are adamant that no leveling device be used with air suspension, steel sprung seems OK. So I read the manual, no mention one way or the other. Next step off to the dealer who advised me to contact the VW web site. Nice response which stated see the experts at your dealership…?!? So for the past two weeks I ring every second day, WHATS THE ANSWER. Well I’m still waiting. As your buying one maybe they can answer you a bit quicker.
I must say that the self leveling system does do a great job, but I’m unsure if it actually sends the weight back to the front wheels. By just “pumping” up the rear bags doesn’t mean any weight is distributed to the front as WDH’s do. It simply means the car is level, where a WDH not only levels the car out, but by a “leverage effect” transfers weight back to the front wheels hence keeping those wheels firmly planted on the ground. Let me know the outcome with the dealer, as I will if I ever get a reply.
Cheers

[posimos]

hi kenny,ive been using a hayman reece wdh for 3 years towing a 2200kg van with my 2006 rd5.does a great job and have had no problems. regards

[sundowner]

Hi Kenny,

I have towed heavier trailers, but not as long, with Touareg air suspension with no problems.

Weight distribution within the trailer is critical to get the balance right, but I assume that you have that sorted.

I suggest trying it first, before you buy all the weight distribution gear.

The air suspension is very competent.

Most weight distribution systems recommend that you disable the load share in an air suspension system, and I can't work out how you could do that with a Touareg.

The rd5 mentioned above has steel spring suspension, and is different to the air suspension.

[Kenny B]

Thanks for the replies, good to see that these have been used with no problems. To clarify further, I have a current WDH setup on a Nissan, so will be putting this on my Touareg which will not have Air suspension.

I will follow up further with the dealer to see what they say and advise the forum on their reply.

Cheers,

Kenny

[Kenny B]

Hi All

Had a reply from Barlowworld Volkswagon in Melbourne, they stated that there is no issue using a WDH (Weight Distribution Hitch) on a Touareg which does not have air suspension.

Cheers,
Kenny

[Palew]

Using WDH will NOT reduce the tow ball weight. What it will do is transfer, using the coupling as the pivot point, some of the weight to the front axle. In fact what it does, in simple terms, is to restore weight distribution to the front as well as stabilising the steering. If you have any doubts about the importance of a correctly set-up van and towing system, have a read of the accompanying Coroners Report in which 3 people were killed when a 4wd towing a caravan went out of control. Findings in the matter of Jong

[Kenny B]

Hi Palew
I totally agree, I have been towing heavy vans for for quite a few years, I use WDH's to keep the tow vehicle balanced and adequate weight on the front wheels. You see too many vehicles towing with inadequate set-ups putting at risk themselves and others on the road. I have not tried my van on the Touareg yet, but I expect without a WDH and around 220kg on the towball, that the vehicle would not have a good balance.

Cheers, Kenny

[wannabe]

So, to clarify, it seems logical to use WDH if you do NOT have air suspension and do NOT use it if you do have air suspension. Is this assumption correct?

[Mel_and_toby]

I checked some time back with the dealer and was strongly advised NOT to use WDH with air suspension. My Bushtracker is 2500Kg tare so is over 3000Kg when travelling. V10 handles it well - power obviously no issue (circa 16l/100) and on road balance seems fine. BTW I use a different set of rims and tyres when going off road or towing and have Tyre Dog pressure monitoring on all eight wheels - not accurate but does alert of a pending disaster which is the real purpose for me.

We are setting off mid April from Brisbane around the coast Clockwise - we'll see how far we get in four months. Wil be taking a full spare and two 19" carcasses so we wont have to wait around for days if we do wreck a tyre. Wouldn' t it be great to be able to match the Van and 4WD wheels - about the only advantage a Bland Cruiser has over the Treg!

IAN