Trailering ok with '05 Jetta TDI auto?

[munderhill]

Been contemplating selling my PU as it just sits in garage. I only ever use it to go dirt biking etc. It sure is nice to use when needed but I have a hard time justifying keeping it for minimal use, sometimes not even once a month!

Used to have a trailer hitch on my old '90 jetta diesel (non turbo) and it towed great. I hauled firewood a 1/2 cord at a time with it. (cut down a few trees and split/sold the wood) Probably wasn't the wisest thing but it never missed a beat. Granted I never pushed it when loaded and never, ever stopped on an uphill.

My question is, would it hurt our '05 GLS TDI Jetta with the auto? This car has waaaaay more power than the old '90. Is a transmission cooler available for it, or recommended? The car has 111k and is as nice riding and running as the day we bought it brand new.

Plan on occasional towing of 2 dirt bikes and trips to home cheapo etc.? I would get a nice light trailer.
Who makes a good hitch? Is the wiring simple?

Any opinions would be great.

MU

Thanks for any input.

 

[HighBypassDiesel]

I believe there is a tow rating in the owners manual.

 

[ebockus]

my 2007 tdi manual is rated for 2000lbs towing and 200lb tongue wieght which is more than my wifes suv lol. i tow my trailer and snowmobile long distances with no problems. the car has the torque of a small pickup with a v6 (well close enough, mind u mines tuned and camed )

 

[CARTMATT]

I tow weekly with DSG. Either small boat or 4x6 tsc trailer with 4x4 atv. Bought curt hitch off ebay for around $130. Easy install. Bought $35 u haul light kit with the battery connect, supper easy also. Most the time cant tell trailer is back there. Just dont floor it from lights and tranny will be ok.

 

[Jnitrofish]

I'm assuming the car has the old torque converter 5-speed. That is a factor. Our DSG transmissions have coolers on them (at least mine does).

I still think it's unlikely to have much of an issue unless you are towing really heavy loads. If it is hunting for overdrive a lot on the highway, use tiptronic mode and drop it into 4th to keep it from doing so. I would also change the fluid a little more often.

The best hitches are the euro hitches (Bosal and Westfalia), with will stick you with a 50mm ball, but they bolt into the closest thing to frame rails our unibody cars have. For North American hitches the Curt, Draw-tite and Hidden Hitch are basically the same, and give you a standard receiver, but also bolt into sheet metal.

 

[munderhill]

Thanks Guys. Bought Hitch from Advance Auto tonight (ordered) manufactured by CURT. $78, says about 30 min install. I know the one I put in my '90 was more than that but then again I added xtra 4' angle inside trunk for strength. Watched a video last night of 2 different man. installs and curt seemed the cleanest. If I think adding some steel will help strength, I'll engineer something up and manufacture. i know I'm going to measure the inside of hook area and make a steel plate to fit inside to sandwich tight and spread load from bolts. Not sure about other side. Will see once it arrives. They did have the wiring kit (same one I put in '90 Jetta from Hoppy. Installation came out good and only blew the blinker/directional 10a fuse once.
Will advise on the install once it comes in next week.

I put the car in manual mode all the time on the highway now to keep it from shifting. Good point on leaving it in 4th if hilly etc. Most of the towing I will do wont involve highway, even though that is the easiest on a car/truck.
i have not touched the trans fluid in this car since new. With 111k, is it time/ I've heard it's better to not change. Is this bad advise? is it a fairly easy job? Filter kit required etc?



Going to shop for a nice light aluminum utility trailer. seen a couple that weigh dry at under 400 lbs!

MU

 

[munderhill]

Hitch came in last night. Plan to install tonight. Made a steel bar to insert between right hook area/mount. Drilled and tapped as one bolt is near impossible to get to for nut placement.
For the spare tire side I made a plate to go on the inside and sandwich trunk spare tire well. Should come out good.

Any suggestions or info on auto trans service?

Thanks

 

[respond2us]

How's the hitch working out? Looking at a curt myself. Is it too low? Get much scraping on steep inclines?

 

[CARTMATT]

Curt on my 06 didnt look low, but did drag quite often from driveways and sharp inclines. Never hurt anything though.

 

[munderhill]

Sorry for the delayed response. I have added an '02 GL and installed the same exact hitch on it. I've never had it scrape, drag, anything whatsoever. I've towed many loads of stone, firewood, dirt bikes and garden tractors without issue. Have used both cars and while the tdi tows just a bit better due to that torque, they both do very well pulling my Karavan 5x8 utility trailer. The stone would have to be the most I've towed. No idea how much a full 1 yard bucket of 1.5 river rock is but it handled it fine (2.0L gas-auto). Would not want to go to far with that much weight but a few miles to get it home was ok. Made 2 trips.


MU