No you shouldn't need anything except the hitch. the Treg is rated for a 7700 LB (3500kg) tow limit and is already designed to do it... Sounds like they are trying to ride you along for some money.

In any event, why would a bigger fan make a difference? The radiator is already a certain size, and if the radiator stays the same size, then a larger fan won't do much for more cooling.

Most aftermarket improvements would be to install an auxiliary transmission cooler (radiator) to keep tranny temps down, or a larger cooling system radiator if it would fit. I installed a B&M tranny cooler to my old 4Runner, but not to my Treg as I already logged the tranny temps during towing and they are very good.

I don't think VW made a change for the UK but there is no option for upgraded towing package in North America that I have ever seen. Either the Treg comes with a hitch receiver or it does not.. No other options exist.

 

Pure dealer profit! Run, don't walk from that dealer. No additional fan needed. Glad you thought to check here first. Welcome!

 

While an extra fan is unnecessary, upgrading the stock muffler bearings might be a worthy investment

 

In the UK market, unless the T3 was ordered new with a factory fitted tow bar, the standard fan is only 600 watts and, for towing, should be upgraded to 850 watts for a more powerful airflow with greater cooling capacity when the vehicle is stationary or moving at lower speeds on a long climb.

This is well documented on the UK site and was the subject of a thread on here last year too until I discovered the US [and other markets with the potential for higher ambient temperatures] gets the 850 watt fan fitted as standard.

Some UK dealers know about this, some don't.

It is a ridiculous situation which is exacerbated by the fact that some UK dealers don't even know how to wire up a Touareg's electrics for UK caravans nor how to re-programme the system afterwards!

In reality, given the UK's climate, a fan upgrade is probably not necessary but if you are thinking of long hauls into hotter regions with the potential for climbing mountain passes such as southern France, Spain or beyond, then I think it would be prudent to change the fan.

Here's a T3 "fan" thread:

T3 towing requires fan upgrade? - myTreg forums - Page 8

Make sure you keep the old one though and put it on -e-bay!

Here's another tow bar thread where the guy found a good independent and saved over £1,000. See post number 15:

Flanged towbar & parking sensors - myTreg forums

 

Great stuff guys and very reassuring.

I have found a small independent Witter fitter who, unprompted, mentioned the need to programme the vehicle and his ability/experience to do so on Treg. Good price too.

I take comfort in what noobytoogy says about the climate. I live in the central Scotland so temperature will rarely be an issue! And while there may be an occasional modest climb, nothing compared to those mentioned.

Like the poster on the other thread, I'll monitor the situation and upgrade if need be. I'll be sure to keep the old fan if I do. Or I could simply put the horses on a diet!

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

Car bought; Tow Bar Fitted!

Went to the small independent mentioned above and managed to negotiate a decent price (£600 incl. VAT) for a detachable Witter unit. Very Neat.

After talking to Which?, am now having an interesting conversation with VW Customer Care. It goes something like this:
According to the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (Section 14) the stated towing capacity (3.5T) in printed and on-line materials is "implied terms" and it is reasonable for a customer purchasing a used 2013 vehicle from a VW dealership to expect it do the job without a fan upgrade.
The response so far has been the standard "on your bike mate" but they've gone off to consider my supplementary question. i.e. If the vehicle needs a fan upgrade to tow the stated 3.5T, what is the towing capacity of an otherwise identical vehicle without the upgrade?

Will keep you posted!

 

Question nicely put!

We await the answer!!

 

Hi I have 2011 Treg SE, (named Bernard} fitted with detachable tow bar, 13pin elec, full VW integrated elecs , NO upgraded fan, tow 8 meter twin axle caravan, 1800kg, usually average 50mph on motorways, 24 mpg No over heating so far.
Full elecs good, senses van on when connecting, turns off reversing sensors actually shows an "A frame" !
Appears to change gear differently ie holds lower gears longer, supposed to change stability system but as van has inbuilt stabilising system (ATC) and is so stable not noticed, stable at 70mph.
Fridge works, battery charges
Love the sound when pulling hard !
Not really been off road except very muddy caravan sites during winter, shrugged off 3-4 inches mud even with van on
Love the car except in tight car parks !

 

Why on gods earth would you need an upgraded fan just for towing.
If you were going to just sit stationary and rev the car and use the fan like it was meant for cooling when stationary I might think about it then say no.
When moving the air flow thru the radiator from just moving is more than enough, and diesels run cooler than petrol anyway.
Don't waste your money just get towing.

Good luck

regards
Drag

 

In the UK market VW fit the higher 850W wattage cooling fan only when the car is ordered from the factory with a towbar.

The US gets the 850 watt fan as standard as I suspect you do and other hot climates.

This cheapskating for the UK is immensely irritating when someone buys a used T3 without a factory fit towbar AND the 850W fan, but subsequently goes to a dealer to get a bar fitted only to be told they have to have the £900 fan upgrade or the car will overheat and their warranty [if still applicable] will be voided.

Plenty of UK T3 owners are towing without problems using aftermarket towbars and relying upon the lower wattage fan.

A cooling issue might arise, as I have said before, if those owners trek down to Spain in the height of the summer and then take on long, slow, mountainous climbs with a full loaded car and a big van on the hook.

 

I feel that what VW UK are doing must be against the law - it's false advertising to have brochures/marketing stuff stating 3.5T towing capability but not mention the need of a fan upgrade to the unsuspecting buyer until they enquire about a tow package.
Maybe even then they wouldn't be aware of this need as many third party fitters would not know the facts...

Bloody disgusting, it makes me feel very anti-VW. Just as well we get the 850W fan as standard here down under....
This sort of penny pinching needs to be uncovered and highlighted - it's very unscrupulous and VW should be made to fit these fans as a free TSB update....

 

Someone is taking on VW UK on this very point under our Advertising and Consumer Protection Acts!

 

Thanks Merlin, all very reassuring.
This give me (and the horse owner!) more comfort since the weights won't be too dissimilar. Certainly when we're only one-up in the trailer.
Second response from VW Customer Care is still of the rubber ear variety, but I've asked for it in writing to enable me to pass it on to Which? I'm informed it may take a few days for "management and legal" to review it before it is sent out.
Game on!
Cheers
HT