Flat towing 2014 VW Beetle

crichards47 wrote:
We have been flat towing a Smart Fourtwo for the last four years and it has been great - no problems. However, we now need a car with more seats and are considering a current model VW Beetle with manual gearbox. I have done some research and have received conflicting opinions (what a surprise!!). Blue Ox has a base plate for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Beetle, so obviously these vehicles are being set up for flat towing. Remco confirmed that the five speed can be flat towed but not the six speed. They couldn't explain what the difference was. VW advised that the manual can be towed short distances only and recommend using a dolly otherwise.
I have seen late model Beetles being towed on the road but have not had the opportunity to talk to the owners for information so I am wondering if any Forum members have any experience or other guidance on this.
Thanks for any help. Charles Richards

Charles,
Well, I have had the opportunity to talk with MANY VW Beetle and Jetta TDI toad owners and, NOT ONE OF THEM have had any issues with their VWs at all, when flat towing them. As you've found out, VOA does NOT authorize ANY of its fleet to be recreationally flat towed. But, in just about all the conversations I've had with folks at RV Parks and Campgrounds who've pulled in with VWs in tow, have stated that they've talked directly with VW transmission technicians about towing stick versions of late VWs.

And they (the people towing) stated that the techs stated that there would be NO issues towing the stick versions. However, the techs could not put it in writing due to the fact that it would go against VOA and it's policies. The conversations with the techs apparently was enough to instill confidence in these owners.

Many I've spoken with had several thousand towed miles and all have been trouble free. I've owned two VW TDI Beetles and loved them both. They never went below 42 mpg, no matter how many people in the car or, A/C running or hills, whatever. And, talk about power. Those little TDI engines are not afraid of any grades, hills, windy roads etc. If it weren't for the fact that we need a truck to carry our Goldwing when we tow, we'd have one as a toad. The he.. with VOA, I like thinking outside the box.
Scott