anyone tow yet with your sportwagen?

[laminated]

just wondering if anyone that has towed could comment on how much weight a wagon will handle, I'll get the air lift bags but it takes a while for them to come,,

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

VWoA doesn't include towing specs on the spec sheet.

However, I just looked at the Golf Estate brochure on the VW site and the trailer load limits for the Mk7 2.0 TDI are:

Braked 12% incline (both manual and DSG): 1,600 kg (3,527 lb)
Unbraked manual: 680 kg (1,499 lb)
Unbraked DSG: 690 kg (1,521 lb)
Towbar load limit: 80 kg (176 lb)

 

[Bam15012]

Since the GSW is not recomened to tow with because of the DSS; I wonder if the Golf Estates has different programming for the DSG then our GSWs.

 

[Nuje]

What is "braked" vs. "unbraked"? And the 12% incline thing?

 

[740GLE]

If the trailer has brakes or not, if you don't know what those are, you shouldn't be towing.

12% incline warms up those brakes quite quickly.

 

[tdidieselbobny]

I was debating on whether to get a hitch or not. I would tow my Kubota BX1870 to dealer for service or my sister's house maybe a couple times a year, and trailer once in awhile for items for home/yard. Can't seem to find a plug-n-play wiring harness for the '15 GSW. I don't like splicing into wires....

 

[laminated]

i pull my Kubota bx tractor, on a 5x10 trailer now without issue, I've pulled 3000 lb easily as well. on a b7 passat, i saw about a plug n play wiring but i can get 5 wire powered modules at the upick for a few dollars so will use one i pulled and tap in for the wiring

 

[bio tdi]

I was debating on whether to get a hitch or not. I would tow my Kubota BX1870 to dealer for service or my sister's house maybe a couple times a year, and trailer once in awhile for items for home/yard. Can't seem to find a plug-n-play wiring harness for the '15 GSW. I don't like splicing into wires....

FWIW I have a 2015 GSW and despite being told by many that the Tekonsha 118730 wiring harness wouldn't fit, I bought one and it fits and operates perfectly. It is a direct plug in and the only hassle is running the power wire up to the battery. I'm in Canada but I suspect U.S cars would be the same and that VW didn't change the plugs for the tail lights from 2015 to 2016.

 

[Sammi91]

If you do tow would it be better to put in sport or just drive. Was thinking sport would hold in gear longer when shifting and may be better than lugging motor. Just a question.

 

[CrazyMonkey]

FWIW I have a 2015 GSW and despite being told by many that the Tekonsha 118730 wiring harness wouldn't fit, I bought one and it fits and operates perfectly. It is a direct plug in and the only hassle is running the power wire up to the battery. I'm in Canada but I suspect U.S cars would be the same and that VW didn't change the plugs for the tail lights from 2015 to 2016.

Did you run the power wire all the way to the battery, or did you tap into a 12V source in the trunk area like the power outlet?

 

[tanker]

I tow with the DSG in S, better shift points up and down. I ran the power all the way to the battery since I was having difficulty getting access to the 12v source in the trunk. I used the same harness I removed form my 2009 TDI. For that I used the 12v in the trunk. Both locations work fine.

 

[Nuje]

Did you run the power wire all the way to the battery, or did you tap into a 12V source in the trunk area like the power outlet?

If you're doing a quick survey, I'm one who just tapped 12V off of the electrical outlet in the back - works fine for me.

 

[CrazyMonkey]

If you're doing a quick survey, I'm one who just tapped 12V off of the electrical outlet in the back - works fine for me.

Thanks. I'm probably not going to tow anything heavy (I have a 3/4-ton Suburban for that), but it would be nice to have trailer wiring if I ever do get a small camping trailer or something. I have the hitch for bikes, but you never know.

 

[mikesarge]

If you're doing a quick survey, I'm one who just tapped 12V off of the electrical outlet in the back - works fine for me.

Just installed mine today (golf, not GSW,) but I had no trouble tapping in at the 12v outlet in the trunk and it works fine so far.

 

[Discovery]

More than 2000km last summer. ~2000lbs

DSG TDI GSW
Bosal hitch
Tekonsha p3 brake controller
Tekonsha modded plug'n play wiring
Airlift helper bag

 

[mxtdiguy]

If you're doing a quick survey, I'm one who just tapped 12V off of the electrical outlet in the back - works fine for me.

I ran my power wire to the front fuse box where there is an unused power tab and added in inline fuse there on the wire

 

[Nuje]

Thanks. I'm probably not going to tow anything heavy (I have a 3/4-ton Suburban for that), but it would be nice to have trailer wiring if I ever do get a small camping trailer or something. I have the hitch for bikes, but you never know.

Same - I have the beater 2002 TDI 6MT for towing the trailer out to the dump, so the receiver on the 2015 is 99% for bikes. But....for that one time a year where I want/need trailer wiring on the GSW - glad to have it.

 

[mikesarge]

I towed a ~400lb fridge, a welder, and probably 80lbs of tools and junk about 800 miles last week. I didn't even feel it behind me, aside from the hit to fuel economy.

 

[dasjefe]

I have a 16.5' aluminum bass boat I to pretty regularly with my Sportwagen. People on the road can't even see the car from behind There is enough power to haul the boat around, but I'd be hesitant to tow something much bigger. Yanking it out of the lake on the boat ramp is a little tricky and I usually disable traction control and let the wheels spin a little. Fuel economy towing drops to high 20s.

 

[marcusku]

Just installed mine today (golf, not GSW,) but I had no trouble tapping in at the 12v outlet in the trunk and it works fine so far.

I added a fuse to the stock fuse panel behind the "sunglasses holder". It was a bit of a pain but it's a clean way to do it.

There's nice "how to" in the how to thread, also one on taking care of the wiring. You don't have to do any spicing but you do have to swap a couple wires around in the harness.

I've pulled around 1,500 lbs and it does so just fine.

 

[capnjack]

Peter, at ID parts, tells me that he can no longer get the Bosal hitch for the 2015 Golf TDI sportwagen I am trying to set up - Bosal apparently is no longer willing to supply him. Anyone out there know a supplier for what in this country would be called a class 2 hitch for a 2015 VW Golf TDI (Mk 7, with CRUA engine) Sportwagen? Westfalia? some other? Thanks,
Jack

 

[capnjack]

Peter, at ID parts, tells me that he can no longer get the Bosal hitch for the 2015 Golf TDI sportwagen I am trying to set up - Bosal apparently is no longer willing to supply him. Anyone out there know a supplier for what in this country would be called a class 2 hitch for a 2015 VW Golf TDI (Mk 7, with CRUA engine) Sportwagen? Westfalia? some other? Thanks,
Jack

 

[Grigg3]

The Ecohitch from Torklift is a real nice hitch, not in the way at all, easy enough to install, and strong.
https://torkliftcentral.com/2015-2017-volkswagen-golf-sportwagen-alltrack-tsi-ecohitch?v=3

 

[Discovery]

Yes it's a DSG.

800lbs

1800lbs

2200lbs (air bag inflated because tongue heavy)

Keep in mind all my trailer have electric brake.

 

[kjclow]

Man, that's one big honker of a snow blower!

 

[Discovery]

Man, that's one big honker of a snow blower!

HSS1332

I little bit overkill but I regret nothing

 

[kjclow]

Make sure you know where the dog is when you fire that thing up.

 

[Nuje]

Apparently, our fine American friends are unfamiliar with the joys of a Canadian winter.

(A little ski hill here in BC once got so much snow (little over 6ft. IIRC) they couldn't get the snow-cats out to groom the runs...had to dig them out.)

How do the airbag things install / work? Do you need an air compressor to fill them? What PSI do they run at?

 

[kjclow]

I grew up in Iowa and Nebraska and travel to Montreal about every other month. I know what snow is and I know how great it is to have a snow blower. I'm just extremely happy to now live somewhere that shuts down at the sight of more than a few flakes an hour. Already planning on not having to go to work Monday for our blast of winter that will probably be 1-2 cm of snow and maybe a little ice. Have to pick up bread and milk tomorrow, assuming there is any left on the shelves.

 

[Discovery]

Apparently, our fine American friends are unfamiliar with the joys of a Canadian winter.

(A little ski hill here in BC once got so much snow (little over 6ft. IIRC) they couldn't get the snow-cats out to groom the runs...had to dig them out.)

How do the airbag things install / work? Do you need an air compressor to fill them? What PSI do they run at?

Nope, you just slide them in, route the hose somewhere reachable and fill them with your tire compressor when needed.

https://youtu.be/_XyW-mNnyNk