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2012 TDI Towing Capabilities

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TimSchnell

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello,

I am new to the forum and looking to purchase a 2012 TDI Lux. It will have to tow a 2012 Malibu wakeboard boat that probably weighs around 5800 to 6000 with fuel, gear, and trailer. I undertstand that is under the total tow rating of the vehicle but I have a couple of concerns.

When I garage the boat, I have to back it up a rather steep incline and since it appears that a "low range" option is not available I am a little worried about straining the converter/transmission. Does anyone have experience with a similar situation and how the vehicle performs?

My second concern was the amount of rear sag. I do not have the exact weight at the hitch, but my guess it is between 400 and 600 pounds. How much sag can I expect with that much weight and are there solutions to this issue. (air bags, etc.)

Other than that, any feedback with how this vehicle performs with that kind of weight would be really appreciated.

Currently I am towing with a 2008 F-250 diesel so this would be a big change for me, but after driving the Touareg, I am really hoping this will do the job. Very impressive vehicle.

Thanks for the help.
 
#2 ·
In your shoes I'd want to borrow a suitably equipped Touareg and try my boat on my drive.

You are right to have some doubt on the current version available to you in the US.
 
#3 ·
There are a bunch of boat towing threads on here so spend some time reading those

The Treg is obviously not an F250 diesel but it is very capable, you won't have a single issue with power in any situation, and you won't ever miss the no low range when towing.

I find the T1/T2 with no air suspension seem to sag way too much over 400# tongue weight but apparently the T3 is stiffer...boats are an easy tow and typically have a much lighter tongue weight than you'd think. All the weight is at the very back...

I've currently got a Baja Outlaw 25' which I've towed with my T2 V6 TDI..not a single issue, you can't even tell its there....
 
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#4 ·
Hi

I am in Australia and tow my Malibu Response LXI with a current model MY12 V6TDI. Boat/trailer/gear weight approx 2100kg (4400 pounds). No problem at all, rear end dropped about 10 - 15mm (less than 1 inch).

Regards
Bettsy
 
#5 ·
I tow a 6000# John Deere tractor on a 16' tandem trailer with brakes on one axle. Other than seeing it in the rear view mirror, I can't even tell it's behind me. I control the tongue weight by positioning the load on the trailer. Attaching the empty trailer drops the rear 1". I position the tractor so that the drop doesn't exceed 2". This keeps it within the range of the self-adjusting headlights. But I must forewarn you; my usual 30+ mpg gets literally cut in half when I'm towing that kind of load.

//greg//
 
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#6 ·
I'm actually willing to bet that I am your exact test case. I tow an enclosed trailer that weighs about 5200lbs all in, about 600lbs in tongue weight. Additionally, where I park this trailer, I have to back up a 70 yard hill which is incredible steep (caused my 2008 Tundra v-8 2WD to often fail on the first couple of attempts). I have done the parking manuever in the damp as well. My 2011 will do the job.

I promise you that with the right balance of weight (not overloading the tongue) and a proper trailer brake controller, you will be 100% happy.

I'm happy to provide a link to the driveway I back up. Just PM me.
 
#7 ·
Welcome to the club....

First the owner’s manual, (2012), states when you tow to increase the cold tire pressure to the max. side wall spec.

Second when you tow closer to its limit, drop the transmission into sport mode. This will hold the gears longer and allow you to use more of the power band before shifts.
 
#9 ·
Congrats, nice looking setup!
 
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#10 ·
Very nice!! Now go and have fun!
 
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#11 ·
TimSchnell said:
Hello,

I am new to the forum and looking to purchase a 2012 TDI Lux. It will have to tow a 2012 Malibu wakeboard boat that probably weighs around 5800 to 6000 with fuel, gear, and trailer. I undertstand that is under the total tow rating of the vehicle but I have a couple of concerns.

When I garage the boat, I have to back it up a rather steep incline and since it appears that a "low range" option is not available I am a little worried about straining the converter/transmission. Does anyone have experience with a similar situation and how the vehicle performs?

My second concern was the amount of rear sag. I do not have the exact weight at the hitch, but my guess it is between 400 and 600 pounds. How much sag can I expect with that much weight and are there solutions to this issue. (air bags, etc.)

Other than that, any feedback with how this vehicle performs with that kind of weight would be really appreciated.

Currently I am towing with a 2008 F-250 diesel so this would be a big change for me, but after driving the Touareg, I am really hoping this will do the job. Very impressive vehicle.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
You will be impressed with its towing prowess. Personally I would not tow heavy loads without airbags all round or a WDH.....the driving dynamics are vastly improved (more so with a WDH, but you cannot use these on airbag equipped vehicles) and vehicle braking is far superior with them. My other car is Discovery 4 with a slightly more powerful diesel motor, but with airbags all round. The treg is better at towing this then the Discovery....this would be the effect of the WDH.
I have low range, so reversing a very heavy trailer up hill into our shed is much better on the tranny than without it...there is a very noticeable difference between high and low.
Economy is sensational at 16-17 litres per 100 when towing my heavy weight.
You will not miss the high revving and hunting of gears the Effie is renowned for when towing. For the treg it's a doddle. Good idea to use sport if load is heavy. It will still hold 6th when cruise is engaged.
 
#12 ·
Any ideas on MPG in a 2012 TDI Sport while towing about 3500 pounds of un aerodynamic ultralite camper trailer in the 18.5 foot length variety? Tongue weight around 300 pounds.

I also toy with the idea of getting a used 2010 with the 6 speed manual instead of a 2012 with the 8 speed... and I wonder what the hit in MPG will be with the transfer case in the earlier model. Won't do any 4 wheeling any more in the T'rag, that's what the old 87 toyota extra cab 4x4 is for.
 
#13 ·
In my experience, wind resistance is the key factor to towing mpg behind a Touareg. I had a 16' tandem flatbed w/14" sides, weight something less than a ton. Towing that empty trailer knocks my usual 31 mpg down to 22. Then when I load a 3 ton John Deere tractor onto the trailer, the mileage only drops another 3 mpg. Nothing I can do about aerodynamics in my own towing situations, but hopefully it's food for thought in yours.

I seldom use Sport mode in the 8 speed because the higher shift points naturally equate to higher fuel consumption. That said, those same Sport mode shift points come in handy when towing a meaningful load.

//greg//
 
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#14 ·
Considering one of these... Cruiser View Finder V-19FK, has a dry weight of 3873 # and a supposed tongue weight of either 554 or 625 pounds. Propane tanks are in the very back, so add 70 or 80 pounds on the back, and since the bed in back in a coil mattress, that adds anoth 60 or 70 pounds behind the axle. As well, all underneath storage under the bed, externally, is behind the axles also.


ViewFinder Aerodynamic V-nose Travel Trailer | 2009 Model V-19FK | Cruiser RV | Lightweight Travel Trailers | Lightweight RVs | Lightweight Toy Haulers | Lightweight Campers

Thoughts, am I overdoing in on weight for my poor little Toaureg TDI?
 
#15 ·
Niner, You should be fine with that small trailer. I tow a Shadow Cruiser camper that is about 32 feet total, with about 700 pounds on the hitch (including my Blue Ox SwayPro WDH). I am right under the limit of the rear GAWR of the Touareg, but it tows just fine.

In my opinion, the axle ratings are more important figures to look at than rated towing capacity. In your case with that ViewFinder, you could even move some weight aft of the trailer axle to relieve some tongue weight and still be in the 10%-15% range for safe towing. Regardless, think about what payload you will keep in the Touareg while towing (including passengers).
 
#16 ·
Well, I looked at a 2009 Cruiser Viewfinder X 19FK, and it was either abused by the previous owner , or a disaster, Quality Control wise, from the factory. There was no quality control!!! Entry door does not have sagging hinges and it binds on the door jamb, front of slider dresser under the bench seat by the table does not sit flush with rest of the cabinet, someone baked aluminum foil onto the grill, front 7 blade connector is corroded from too much time in a salt atmosphere parked at the beach, and on, and on, and on... Major fix it project, will have to be discounted deeply for me to even consider buying it.

Very disappointed in Cruiser RV's 2009 build and execution on these, I've seen Chinese junk built better than these, the workmenship standards are sub par. BTW, I am a General Contractor... just saying, if I put crap like this in my customers homes, I'd never, ever get paid.
 
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