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New Guy, towing question

3K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  oldschool78 
#1 ·
Hey all,

Recently became the proud owner of a 200 GLX V6 5-speed, and I'm now a dubber for life, never going back.

I'm relocating from NYC to Colorado next month and am considering towing a small U-Haul trailer out there. Don't know the total weight but it'll basically be a futon matress, home theater system, clothes, 4 guitars and a bass cabinet and maybe a wooden wardrobe. I'm pretty sure this all falls within the safe tow capacity, but I don't have a hitch installed on the car. Do I need to have one permanently installed for the trip, or are there other temporary options for something like this? Anybody have any experience with this kind of thing?

Thanks loads for any and all feedback, can't wait to be ripping around the Rockies in my baby...
 
#2 ·
Chenzo,

I think some owner's manuals list a towing capacity and some don't, depending on model year. Don't know what your manual suggests, but that's the first place to check.

If you look in the Information Forum here, you'll see at least one thread about a hitch...http://www.clubb5.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=34705.

I don't know how well the search deature is currently working, but the trailer hitch has come up before.

And, Welcome to the Club. We have strong membership in Colorado!
 
#3 ·
There are lots of people with hitches. I don't know of a temporary hitch. I have the Da'Lan hitch on my 2000 V6. It's class I (up to 2000 lbs, 200 lbs tongue weight). It works fine, but you have to drill 10 holes to mount it. For a few years it was all there was. I see there are a bunch more now, and most of them only require four bolts. There have been good reports about U-Haul installations -- they seem to know what they're doing.

If the trailer will have electric brakes you'll have to install a brake controller. My trailer has no brakes so I can't comment on that.

All the hitches available in North America are class I. The VW hitch available in Europe is class II (up to 3500 lbs) but it's not available openly in North America because it replaces the bumper I-beam and can't meet the 5 mph bumper safety spec.

Remember to watch your weights. Total vehicle cargo weight includes the tongue load too. Here is data from the 1999 owner's manual. I believe 2000 is the same.

>>>>>
Maxium Permissible Trailer Weights
Manual and automatic transmission the same:
# Trailer without brakes
190 hp engine... 1500 lbs. (700 kg)
150 hp engine... 1460 lbs. (650 kg)
90 hp engine.... 1460 lbs. (650 kg)

Syncro model
190 hp engine... 1680 lbs. (750 kg)

# Trailer with brakes
Manual and automatic the same:
190 hp engine... 3600 lbs. (1600 kg)
150 hp engine... 2925 lbs. (1300 kg)
90 hp engine.... 2925 lbs. (1300 kg)

Syncro model
190 hp engine... 3960 lbs. (1800 kg)

Tongue load
FWD models...... 168 lbs. (75 kg)
Syncro models... 187 lbs. (85 kg)
<<<<<

Also keep in mind some rules of thumb for good handling: trailer weight should not exceed 85% of the vehicle weight, and tongue weight should be 10-15% of trailer weight.

I don't see any problem with what you want to tow. It doesn't look that heavy.

--rick
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#6 ·
I have a 1.8t 5speed variant. I have a D'laan hitch. it mount's very cleanly under the bumper. Back in march I towed a '71 flat window superbeetle on a tow dolly from Hackensack back to Maryland down the Jersey turnpike and I-95. The fat chick had been wrecked and there was no front windshield, so I was essentially towing a big friggin blue parachute behind me. I had no problems what so ever.
I am chipped, so I have a bit more torque and hp to help matters out, but she never protested once. I drove 70 the entire way home. Well, at least after I lost the crappy road south of Jersey City.
 
#9 ·
Have you considered renting a truck to handle your stuff and tow your Passat?

That's the best route. Rent the right size truck, and a car dolly (front wheel dolly). Cheap, and no mods or wear and tear on your Passat. You don't want to add a hitch for a one-time pull. I'm a big fan of towing with my Passat, but I do it often, and have the Euro hitch, so it's completely hidden when off. I had the Dalan hitch on my 98 wagon, and although it's as stealthy as a class one receiver can be, it still was a class one receiver, and you don't want that hanging off the back of your car forever after your move if you're not going to use it over again.
 
#10 ·
I went with the Da'lan hitch after trying the Hidden Hitch(didn't fit properly). $160. shipped. Fairly easy install when you remove the bumper cover and totally hidden except for the receiver. I use a fold-up trailer and have towed in the neighborhood of 1100 lbs.(trailer & cargo) @ 80mph without a problem.

'99 Passat chipped 1.8t
 
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