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 Topic: Towing caravan with VW Transporter
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04/9/2021 at 8:13pm
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the main issue you will have is, do you have a pre 1997 licence? or have you passed a towing test? if the answer is yes then your ok, but if you havent then you will be exceeding 3500kgs max licence allowance by approx kgs
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10/9/2021 at 2:07pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
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Provided it has a suitably powerful engine in it I can see no reason to suppose that the Transporter wouldn't tow very well. The least powerful version is (I think) 85bhp which you should rule out - that's barely enough to move the van itself never mind a heavy caravan as well.
Next up is a version with about 100bhp (1.6 or 1.9 litres depending on model year) which will probably also be underpowered although I know of people who have fitted performance chips to them. I can't comment on the reliability of the turbos or 5-speed gearboxes as per Broadside's reply.
The 2.0 TDI (140bhp pre-2015, 150bhp 2015-on) shares its engine with the Passat and is the one to go for. There are more powerful twin-turbo versions but these are comparatively rare and expensive.
The "skittish if unladen" thing is a subjective opinion. However, the vans are designed to carry payloads of about a tonne which means that the rear suspension has to be stiff enough to cope with it. If there is no weight on the suspension at all, it will inevitably be that little bit harder and 'bouncier' because the laws of physics prevent any alternative.
It's possible that the "skittish" comments have been made by people (including journalists) who are more used to driving cars. Best thing is for you to test drive one yourself and see how it feels for you - however, you'll probably get used to the characteristics being different in any case.
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via mobile 04/9/2021 at 11:30pm
