That's appalling!!, the 280kg on my V8 Rline is satisfactory (while not ideal) but these further reductions with the latest model definitely puts it off my shopping list.

 

Singh,

I'd like to know (if you ask VWA) if that sticker was applied by VW Germany...or applied during the compliance procedure upon arrival in Australia, before assignment to the dealership?

 

That information sticker is crazy especially what it shows regarding the BL reductions between the V6 TDI models, my initial impression was that it must have something to do with the rear axle loads between models but what it states about the various V6's variants shows it's not rear axle related.

As a matter of interest is that information replicated in the CR model's log book anywhere??

TonyB

 

Apparently this is the reality given the new model/design/regulations
So if you want to pull something big and heavy then get the smallest engine and chug along....

 

Presumably the 170KW version and perhaps some of the others have steel suspension, that may explain the higher ball load capability. It is hard to find the exact specs.

From today's News about the COTY: "The Volkswagen Touareg shone against premium competition in Launch Edition form but a cheaper version tested here didn’t fare as well without the premium car’s air suspension, lacking polish on country roads."

 

They've lost their marbles putting those stats on that sticker!! Obviously their great talents at making the car significantly lighter, has come at the cost of strength in the chassis. Real shame, and they'll lose sales over it too no doubt. Really dumb founds me sometimes what car companies are thinking when they design cars.

 

T1 T2 with steel suspension pulls 350/3500
Mind you i love what they have done with the body, suspension and the lightweight transmission that makes it super quiet vibration free and silky smooth
Apparently the new regulations have something to do with it as well

 

Seems weird, but two things come to mind. Does the V8 run low profile tyres as stock? More likely it's the chassis - heavy front and rear might stress the central chassis regions (think bananas), so the smaller motor gets a bigger load rating on the back end. I'm no engineer, but I know VW have a few around, so I reckon there'll be a solid reason for that weight downgrade.

 

This hasnt been the case so far, v10 and v8s have had the same rating as v6 Touaregs up until now.
Same goes for tyres, profile hasnt made any difference.
I hope this is a mistake and not what truly vw will be offering

 

Just out of interest what did the tow bar/computer etc cost to install on the CR?

 

In European Type Approval, the towbar limitation would just be one set of figures - even if certain model versions had lower limits - the label pictured doesn't relate to European regulations as a 3500 kg towing load must have a minimum noseweight limit of 140 kg, ie 4% of the maximum towing load.

The fact that the noseweight reduces with rear seat passengers implies some sort of rear suspension limitation but I can't imagine why it should go so low as 80 kg

 

Agree and this has never been the case, heavier engine models have had the same rating so far
Must be change in regs

 

Appreciate the information and likely rationale for different tow ball weight based upon engine configurations.Tony and I discussed at length but can't understand the logic.. Is the Westfalia label information confirmed in CR manual by VW Australia in writing?
It looks like my old T2 172 Kw steel suspension with 3500/350 Kgs will need to live a lot longer. Was looking at options for slight lift and suspension upgrade. This is now a foregone conclusion. OLIE.

 

Appreciate the information and likely rationale for different tow ball weight based upon engine configurations.Tony and I discussed at length but can't understand the logic.. Is the Westfalia label information confirmed in CR manual by VW Australia in writing?
It looks like my old T2 172 Kw steel suspension with 3500/350 Kgs will need to live a lot longer. Was looking at options for slight lift and suspension upgrade. This is now a foregone conclusion. OLIE.

Nothing confirmed and hoping this isn't the reality we'll contend with.
I too am awaiting confirmation, before I invest in a new v8
Gives me a reason to other wise hang on to the V10 and the current v8

 

Thanks, I'll check mine tonight...

 

Similarly there should be one on the tow bar itself
Assume your towbar was fitted by a dealer, westfalia?

 

There is a label on the towbar saying rated for 3500kg, but then for towball weight says to refer to OHB (assume Owners Hand Book). However... OHB state 140kg!!! Ouch!

 

140kg would be with 5 people.
This is apparently part of new regulations, that the weight in the car must be considered, which has been the case, but it hasn't been explicitly mentioned on the label

 

Well they're not making it easy are they? So what happens when I total my car and caravan out on the open road and the insurance assessor refers to the OHB and claims the rig is outside the regs?

 

Dept of Consumer Affairs (Not fit for purpose) will be the subject for most emails from here on in

 

Here is the label attached to my Towbar. I note, that it is the identical part number to the previously posted label, but I have no compliance label placed in the door frame? Will contact the VW dealer that fitted the unit.

 

Ok, so contacted the dealer who told me they placed the compliance label on the tail gate! Also spoke with Swift Caravan Services who said they believe that the Hayman Reece Tow hitch when released in January will carry a compliance label of 3500kg rated towbar capacity braked and 350Kg rated towball download. If you don't need a tow kit for Christmas holidays like some of us, then it might be worth waiting for the after market one... You will also avoid the luxury car tax on the factory fitted one as well!

 

And just so you know, they are not fitted at factory. They are fitted during pre-delivery inspection/compliance/service by the dealership as and when towbar stocks are available.
VW Germany do not fit them.

 

And just so you know, they are not fitted at factory. They are fitted during pre-delivery inspection/compliance/service by the dealership as and when towbar stocks are available.
VW Germany do not fit them.

Whilst that's true for Australian deliveries, Touaregs ordered in Europe have their towbar fitted on the production line at the factory - but obviously not for dealer stock.

 

I stand corrected. I should have been more specific in stating "dealer fitted"

 

I have read a bit about this and I believe it has to do with GVM, Gross vehicle mass. The GVM is a fixed mass by VW for which the entire car and its contents (including the mass on the tow ball) must not exceed. Google it and plenty of info there. So the lower spec Touareg V6 cars are lighter in mass than the higher spec cars with air suspension, four wheel steer and their attendant hardware so all the weight of that hardware robs you of headroom to the GVM so when it comes to ball weight, that gets de-rated as the car weight goes up with more hardware with the extras.

Also, while Hayman Reese will make a mighty strong tow bar which in itself is capable and sticker rated for a 350kg ball loading, the ball weight limit for the car is set by the vehicle owners manual rating limits.

T1 & T2 is 350kg ball
T3 is 280kg ball

All of this while the T1, T2 & T3 are rated to tow a caravan or boat or whatever max of 3500kg, with braked trailer of course (>750kg).

Pete.

 

correct.
hayman reece bar itself could be rated for 350kg but not on the Touareg.....you couldnt put that on a V8 CR model and claim 350kg towball to be legal. thats driven by the OHB or the vehicle specifically.....

 

The GVM and GCM for the launch edition are a well kept secret. Have tried VW Facebook, dealer principal, VW Australia with no luck. Hopefully the police and insurance companies have struggled too.

 

I've said it once and I'll say it again. VW are going to lose sales over this. They are brilliant tow rigs and the fact that the towball weight is drastically reduced means that anyone who is doing their homework looking for a nice tow car, will instantly laugh at those specs when they want to tow a decent sized caravan. I'm pretty certain my dad's SQ7 doesn't have these towball weight restrictions.