You only need 2.5 gallons at a time. Or pull into one of the good stations that have DEF filling nozzles.
Towing with a 2015 TDI Executive
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We have a 2016 V6 gas and tow a 1017 Sonic 168VRB. It is roughly the same weight and tongue weight as what you are looking at. We use a Prodigy RF controller. We have had it 5 years on 3 different trailers and I love it. Plugs into the 12v outlet on the dash and has a hand controller. A sway bar is useful but we have not purchased one as yet. The SUV/Trailer combination tows well and is very controllable.
I tow a large trailer with my 2016 TDI (6000lbs). It’s great! My recommendation would be to get a Curt echo brake controller as it’s plug and play. No wires to run etc. Your phone is the controller. Works great and I know MANY who use it. That trailer should have breaks on it so why not use them…at a minimum it will reduce wear and tear on your car breaks. Lastly, if you load that trailer up any it will weigh a lot more and I would use a WDH. The notion that VW doesn’t “recommend” using a WDH is out of date and has been discussed a lot on this forum. They actually changed the stickers on the hitch itself to include weight guidance for WDH use. A WDH might be a little overkill for the lighter trailers but it’s good protection for you (and your family) when some crazy person towing a big 5th Wheel comes barreling by at 75mph or you encounter a big rig going the other way. These are great cars for towing trailers but you can’t control others who don’t drive safely!
I believe the Micro Minnies are all dual axle.
Don't forget the DEF level reset procedure after topping off.
Filling the DEF tank
I’m 2500 miles into a trip pulling a 4K lb trailer at altitude and it is sucking DEF like mad. Is there a better DEF filler tub out there? The 2.5 jugs available at most stations dribble and you can’t see how full you are. 2016 tdi t’reg
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it's basically the same. Electric brakes offer more control than surge brakes.
Is that DieselGate DEF free fillup for real? I've been filling mine myself bc the dealer quoted me an absurd amount to fill the tank during the oil change so I have been filling it myself. I have a 2013 and it was a DieselGate buyback. It is due for service again in about 500 miles so if I can get them to fill it for free I will do that!I believe the Micro Minnies are all dual axle.
Don't forget the DEF level reset procedure after topping off.
One of the conditions of the Dieselgate fix is that VW has to fill your DEF for free (I forget if it's for life or up to 100k miles). So the only time you really need to fill it yourself is if you're on a long trip and it gets low, and you don't want to bother with finding/dropping by a local VW dealer. On top of that, DEF has a shelf life. So unless you know you're low enough that the entire bottle can go in with no leftover, filling at a truck station is probably the better choice.Filling the DEF tank
I’m 2500 miles into a trip pulling a 4K lb trailer at altitude and it is sucking DEF like mad. Is there a better DEF filler tub out there? The 2.5 jugs available at most stations dribble and you can’t see how full you are. 2016 tdi t’reg
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Read your warranty
See this discussion:
AdBlue refills under the Emissions Warranty
I thought I had seen a thread discussing whether the dealers were supposed to be providing free AdBlue during the life of the extended emissions system warranty. But now I can't find it. Apparently my Google-fu is weak today... The Settlement agreement says they will, but some members stated it...
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In particular, see page 5 of the official settlement document:
AdBlue® (diesel exhaust fluid) usage may increase, and, as a result, require more frequent refilling of your AdBlue® tank. As a courtesy to you, your vehicle will be returned to you with a full tank of AdBlue® and fuel during the Approved Emission Modification (AEM). AdBlue® re-fillings will also be offered free of charge between service intervals for:
- 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first from the vehicle’s original in-service date; OR
- 4 years or 48,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date and mileage of the emissions modification
I bought my TDI specifically for towing, to replace a v6 Grand Cherokee that just didn't have the power I wanted to pull our camper, which is a 2013 Rpod 177 weighing 2500 lbs dry. I did a lot of research prior to the purchase to make sure that the VW was correctly optioned with tow package and would only buy one with the factory tow package. If you got a factory 7 pin connector in the back then the vehicle is pre-wired and all you then need is the pigtail to go to your brake controller. I am using a Tekonsha P3 which I mounted under the dash to the right of the steering column and it works well. A lot of sites talk about building your own pigtail but I found this guy on eBay that makes and sells them and it has been fantastic.
Pigtail: VW Touareg Plug and Play Trailer Brake Controller Harness Audi Q7 Porsche Cayenn | eBay
How to build your own: Tekonsha P3 brake controller on the Touareg
Also has good info on installing and mounting, specific to a Tekonsha P3.
I know some people are big fans of the wireless units, but I have also read a lot of horror stories of them burning up brakes, loss of signal when you really need it, etc.
Pigtail: VW Touareg Plug and Play Trailer Brake Controller Harness Audi Q7 Porsche Cayenn | eBay
How to build your own: Tekonsha P3 brake controller on the Touareg
Also has good info on installing and mounting, specific to a Tekonsha P3.
I know some people are big fans of the wireless units, but I have also read a lot of horror stories of them burning up brakes, loss of signal when you really need it, etc.
Over 5 years using our Prodigy RF controller on 3 different trailers, 2 different vehicles with no issues. Maybe we have been lucky. I’d buy another RF controller without question.
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Hi from downunder. Been through this recently and here are my findings.
Anti sway bars are a NO. They counteract against the existing pneumatic suspension. In the middle of a 4000 kilometre trip and no problems with sway. Just set your suspension to SPORT to counter any existing pitching.
Electric Brake controllers are a YES. We use a variety of brands here in AUS but REDARC seems to be very popular. Latest model comes with automatic anti-sway technology. Also, comes with a manual anti sway you can use as well by pressing to button once while moving.
We have a 180HP 2014 3.0lt TDI in the BLUEMOTION variant and our Van is larger than yours (2500 kg loaded).
Good Luck. You should love your trip with your TREG.
CHEERS Terry
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I pull a 3500kg GTM supreme Basecamp with my 09 R50, as long as it’s loaded right I forget it behind me. Id try it first and ensure you have 8-10% ball weight and you should be ok 👍
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With my 14 RLine Tdi I Have towed my travel trailer at approx 3700lbs using small curt sway bar which worked great. It’s only $75 or so. But u have to weld on small ball hitch onto trailer frame for the sway bar.
Also, from what I was told by VW, Trailer brake controller module is required for anything over 1500 pounds
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Also, from what I was told by VW, Trailer brake controller module is required for anything over 1500 pounds
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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It is not the same in all states\province\countries, so just check your local laws if\when you need to.
Your owners manual recommends NOT to use WDH (weight distribution hitch or sway bars) when towing as it will interfere with the airbag suspension and places addition down force on the towbar installation. VW Australia confirmed this issue 3 years ago when I purchased a 2015 7P. Consider Redarc Tow-pro braking system for towing over 750kg.
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No air on this side of the pond for that gen, so not a factor.
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Do what makes YOU feel safe and be safe! And yes, abide by your local laws first (I can't believe I just said that 
....).
I don't know if I would use a WDH on 3000lbs, but you're also going to be loading it up, I assume the GVWR of that trailer is 5000lbs, given the dual axles? It also depends on your tongue weight, a 3000lb trailer could have 450lbs (15%) of tongue weight really quickly, if not more once loaded for a trip, and start to make the steering light. Then you might want to think about a WDH. I use a WDH (3800lb Dry, 6000lb GVWR, 25ft OAL) and depending on how the vehicle felt with 3000lbs, I may use one for that as well.
(I think a lot of people would be surprised if they weighed the tongues of their "light" trailers before a trip. )
If you decide to go with a brake controller. My rule of thumb, if the trailer has electric brakes, regardless of weight, get a controller (seems like obvious advise! ). I would recommend electric brakes on anything over 2500lbs just because it's less strain on your tow vehicle braking system.
I have the Red Arc Tow Pro Elite in my Touareg more recently and in my Tacoma for several years now. It's maybe $30-50 more expensive than some other brands, but it's such a smaller "footprint" in the vehicle. There is a good write up on this forum somewhere as well as on etrailer in regards to locating and wiring the plug assembly mentioned earlier.
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....).I don't know if I would use a WDH on 3000lbs, but you're also going to be loading it up, I assume the GVWR of that trailer is 5000lbs, given the dual axles? It also depends on your tongue weight, a 3000lb trailer could have 450lbs (15%) of tongue weight really quickly, if not more once loaded for a trip, and start to make the steering light. Then you might want to think about a WDH. I use a WDH (3800lb Dry, 6000lb GVWR, 25ft OAL) and depending on how the vehicle felt with 3000lbs, I may use one for that as well.
(I think a lot of people would be surprised if they weighed the tongues of their "light" trailers before a trip.
)If you decide to go with a brake controller. My rule of thumb, if the trailer has electric brakes, regardless of weight, get a controller (seems like obvious advise!
). I would recommend electric brakes on anything over 2500lbs just because it's less strain on your tow vehicle braking system.I have the Red Arc Tow Pro Elite in my Touareg more recently and in my Tacoma for several years now. It's maybe $30-50 more expensive than some other brands, but it's such a smaller "footprint" in the vehicle. There is a good write up on this forum somewhere as well as on etrailer in regards to locating and wiring the plug assembly mentioned earlier.
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