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Hi Stewart,

mine is the 2WD, not the 4 motion. I would imagine the 4 motion would be a much better tow car (not that the 2WD is bad, its actually better than I expected it to be). I just miss the re-assurance of 4WD (and slightly lower gearing) from our other tow car (X-Trail).

Hi, I'm using a 2.0TDi Manual Tiguan, with 4motion, to tow an Avondale 470/2 (1140kgs) at 72%. I get between 28 and 32 towing, 40 to 45 solo, depending on my right foot!

The Tiguan is geared at 30mph/1000rpm in 6th gear, my Mk 5 Golf 2.0 TDi was 35mph/1000rpm, what is the Passat gearing?

Hi David

Is your passat sport the 140 or 170bhp as it looks like the 2 or 4 wheel drive are getting roughty the same mpg?

Hi vernon.

Not sure on the gearing of my passat i know that sitting at 60-62mph it will do 1800-2000rpm. So may be much the same.

How do you like the Tiquan to drive ?  they look nice but what is the towing limits for the Tiquan 85% or maximum as your van is 150kg lighter that mine, or slightly more by the time the wife loads it up!

So the 21.6mpg I got the other weekend dosn't sound so bad after all. 2.5 diesel Navara but I would swear I was driving into a head wind there and back.

So the 21.6mpg I got the other weekend dosn't sound so bad after all. 2.5 diesel Navara but I would swear I was driving into a head wind there and back.

Quote: Originally posted by MickeyM on 11/3/2009

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So the 21.6mpg I got the other weekend dosn't sound so bad after all. 2.5 diesel Navara but I would swear I was driving into a head wind there and back.

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Stewart - Mine is the 140. The worst thing is the vast difference between solo and towing MPG

Mickey - thats the big advantage of the 4X4 the drop in MPG is nowhere near as dramatic as in a 'standard' car when towing. I used to get slightly better MPG towing in the X-Trail than I get in the Passat even though solo it was worse

Vernon - I think the gearing in 6th is identical to yours. Its 1st that I find a bit high and needs a lot of clutch slipping for slow manouvering on site. If it wasnt a company car I would be concerned as to how the clutch will stand up long term. My earlier comment probably wasnt clear in that I feel that 1st gear in the X-Trail seems better suited to towing than the Passat

Thanks Guys

I wasent expecting as big a responce.

Stewart

The VW towing limit for a manual Tiguan is two and a half tons! with a 650kg payload, so take your choice!!!! but the kerb weight is only 1590kgs. The boot is the same size as a Mk5 Golf.

Bottom gear is lower than my Golf and It tows my Avondale 470/2 a treat, better than the Golf. accelerating in sixth with no problem. How many miles has your Passat done? I found the Golf changed after about 8-10,000 miles, when it started to loosen up, and got better and better, the Tiguan is improving now after 6000 miles. Incidently it's had a new flywheel after 4000 miles!

David

My flywheel and clutch were changed under warranty because it made a 'clicking' noise when pulling off uphill towing the caravan, no judder or any other symptom. I find it'll take off on most hills on tickover with very little need to slip the clutch, and only accelerate when the clutch is engaged.

Hi Vernon

You are all getting me worried now about the vw clutch and flywheels.

My passat is 2.5 years old just now and has 10500 miles on tthe clock. 2000  miles was last year on our trip to france so mabey my milage will improve slightly. I have a max tow wight of 2.2 tones but max is exactly what it says and i will never be attempting to tow any where near that.

Vernon,

I think first gear in your tiguan must be much lower than the Passat. I find the Passat is very sluggish until about 2000 rpm. In fact it needs to be driven much more like a petrol than a diesel. Cant just leave it in 6th like I used to be able to do with the X-Trail. I wouldnt be able to get it moving at tickover on the flat, never mind on hills. Once the clutch is engaged even at tick over the car moves far too fast in 1st & reverse for easy manouvering so the clutch has to be slipped to keep the speed down. No clicking noises from the clutch though, just bad smells after positioning the van!