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Towing basics; haven't done this before

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quoyle

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My plan is to drive out to Buffalo next week and pick up a 2006 19-ft Airstream bambi, and tow it back to Vermont. It weighs about 3750 lbs empty. It will be my first time towing anything.

I've read a LOT of the amazing threads here; learning fast, but still confused.

First, everyone has advised me to get a light-weight WB hitch (like 600 lb) and install it. My Treg is a 2013 TDI Lux. I don't think it has an air suspension, but I don't know, and it's not in the manual. Dealer didn't know either. Does it even matter? Of course, the manual says not to use a WB hitch.

Second, the Airstream is 8-ft. wide. The treg is 6.35 feet wide. Will the Treg mirrors be enough? Or should I get bigger ones?

Third. The VW dealer/salesman assured me the factory-installed 7-pin wiring outlet on the back of the Treg (next to the hitch) is already set up with a brake controller (done at the factory). But everything I read here says that is not true -- that I have to buy a brake controller and install it, or have it installed. Anyone know if the dealer might be right?

Any idea what tools I should bring for this trip.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Thanks.
 
#3 ·
quoyle said:
First, everyone has advised me to get a light-weight WB hitch (like 600 lb) and install it. My Treg is a 2013 TDI Lux. I don't think it has an air suspension, but I don't know, and it's not in the manual. Dealer didn't know either. Does it even matter? Of course, the manual says not to use a WB hitch.
Click to expand...
You won't have air suspension. It's not currently available in the US. It would matter if you had it because air suspension and WDH's don't play well together.

quoyle said:
Second, the Airstream is 8-ft. wide. The treg is 6.35 feet wide. Will the Treg mirrors be enough? Or should I get bigger ones?
Click to expand...
Yes, you should get mirrors. Search "Milenco Aero" on Club Touareg or the net. They work well and are easy to install and remove.

quoyle said:
Third. The VW dealer/salesman assured me the factory-installed 7-pin wiring outlet on the back of the Treg (next to the hitch) is already set up with a brake controller (done at the factory). But everything I read here says that is not true -- that I have to buy a brake controller and install it, or have it installed. Anyone know if the dealer might be right?
Click to expand...
Why would you believe someone who doesn't even know if your Treg has air suspension or not? It won't have a brake controller from the factory. There is plenty of info on this on club touareg (well, too much really :p).

quoyle said:
Any idea what tools I should bring for this trip
Click to expand...
Most of the WDH install is on the trailer itself, so you will need a suitable spanner for every nut and bolt involved.
Also bring some dry lube or grease and a make sure you have a suitable jack for the trailer.
Only other advice for a first time tower is to take your time and double check everything.
 
#6 ·
1. All the weigh distribution equipment is on the trailer, it has nothing to do with your vehicle. Your RV dealer will be able to supply the WD equipment and train you on how to hook it up to your hitch (the hitch receiver is part of the WD equipment).

2. You will need mirror extensions. RV shop should have something suitable

3. You will need to install a brake controller. Many good threads on here that walk you through how to do it. No brake controller = no brake control on your trailer = VERY dangerous situation. Don't even THINK about hooking up without a brake controller installed. Your RV dealer should be able to install it and then train you on how to use it. In fact they should help you set all the parameters on it the first time they hook you up.
 
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#7 · (Edited)
Airstream Bambi

Hello!
We bought our 2010 diesel Touareg to tow a 2007 Airstream 19' Bambi. VW installed the hitch and electrical wiring for the electrical connection. We have a trailer brake connection, but it is not hooked up and we have not needed it.
The Touareg tows the Airstream like it's not even there! There is an Airstream forum, Airforums, that is invaluable. On another note, we have the solar panel package, so I replaced all of the lights with LEDs. I called the Airstream factory store and they told me exactly what I needed to order. Very helpful people! Also, we live in Texas and we do not store Bambi in a garage, but one winter all of interior water lines froze, and one burst. For future freezes, we will keep the furnace running at night. Feel free to ask me about any of our other experiences with our Airstream. Be sure you check the trailer tires and spares before you drive off. Be sure to purchase a "load leveler" hitch with a good lock. (our hitch was stolen in Colorado last summer while we were fly fishing. Not fun finding a replacement!). If you purchase the Airstream bike rack, be sure and contact me, mguinn@sbcglobal.net, as installing it was our latest "Airstream Adventure", but we have it installed and ready for a trip to the Gulf Coast.
 
#8 ·
I find it beyond astonishing that your VW dealer did not know what suspension your car has. Either there was a breakdown in the communication or, if they really, really did not know, please never go back there.

Find yourself another VW dealer to work with in the future. And if you want to know how to find such a dealer, tell them you aren't sure if your car has air suspension or not . . . . . !

As for towing, I'm very concerned for you. I'm not sure just how far this trip is, but I'm guessing it's a good few hours.

I've towed stuff since I was 14 years old when I had a tractor and corn trailer and a VERY big field to play in: even then I still squashed my fair share of straw bales getting the hang of reversing before being allowed on the road as we could way back then: yep, a 14 year old boy with a thirty ton rig capable of 30 mph!

So my concern is this, if you really have never towed anything, then setting out with a 20 foot plus rig on the back into city and/or freeway traffic is not ideal. IMHO you really should have some practice before doing so, somewhere quiet and non-damaging, and with an expert to show you the ropes and especially the reversing!

If this is not possible, then I'd seriously consider finding someone who is experienced to go with you and make sure they are insured to drive your rig. They can deal with any tricky bits like getting out of town to start with and then perhaps hand over for easier elements to allow you to get used to the handling.

I'd also talk to the RV dealer before going to explain what you think is required to set your Touareg up and I'd turn up at the RV dealer early morning so there is no rush to get everything set up before they close for the day.

If you can't get some help and the journey is indeed quite long, then I suggest you consider getting the Airstream delivered.

Towing is not rocket science, so don't be put off by the above - just weigh up the pros and cons and your own capabilities as a novice. The one thing you won't have to worry about is the Touareg itself - that is more than capable!!
 
#11 ·
Mguinn, what do you mean by "We have a trailer brake connection, but it is not hooked up and we have not needed it."? Are you saying that the trailer has surge-brakes or some other type of brake actuator? Without a brake controller my understanding is that you are relying on the Touareg brakes to stop 2X the weight of the car alone if it has electric brakes. I don't know about other states, but that's illegal in California.

Quoyle, you might consider renting a travel trailer or large U-Haul trailer before taking out a brand-new Airstream. Body work on those things is expensive from what I've heard. Believe me, you WILL hit something your first time out with a trailer. I've towed stuff for 20-years and I still scuff the tires once in a while.

Lastly, I wouldn't trust an RV dealer to touch my Touareg to install a brake controller. Most don't know what what they are doing. The mechanics are under-paid and bored. The RV dealer that setup my WD hitch did NOT tighten any of the bolts sufficiently, including the hitch ball (large) nut. When I took the trailer off I noticed that all the bolts were loose. If that thing had come off at speed it would have been ugly. I talked to one about installing the brake controller and they said I needed to find the wiring harness for it first (one does not exist). Have VW do the brake controller if you can find a dealer that can figure it out.

I advise that you learn as much as you can about your hitch gear and if possible do it yourself. If that's not possible then talk to a dealer that others have had good results with. I'm not trying to scare you -- just trying to save you some of the trouble I ran into!
 
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