Jetta Dingy Questions

although I haven't towed a Jetta, I have never cut into the toads wiring system to install lights. I have always used the magnetic ones. and that was before the complex computer systems that could be affected.
bumpy

I wouldn't cut into the wiring either. I would either use magnetic ones, or install separate bulbs in the taillights for use as a toad.

Lurking newbie here.

I towed a 2000 Jetta, TDI back in 2000 so it’s the same beast as yours.

We had a class C 32ft Tioga MH, at the time and the company that made Blue Ox tow bars didn’t have the baseplate available for under the front fascia yet. So I participated in a company sponsored discount program. I hauled the car on a rented dolly out to Nebraska to the factory and left it for a week, while DW and I went to Yellow Stone. They fabricated and installed the tow bar baseplate and setup the lights while installing and working it out for that model of car. They did as described above and put another bulb in the rear lenses behind the bulb doors in each side in the trunk. They wired them separate from the car system to a 4 pin flat trailer plug in the front grill. Then when I hooked up the car I had a coiled cord that hookup to the MH and the flat cable in the grill. It all worked great and they never cut into my cars factory wiring.

I didn’t wind up towing the car more them a couple times. I will admit I didn’t do anything with respect to additional braking. I was on the fence at the time on if I should or not. The MH seemed to handle the additional weight just fine and I didn’t notice any additional stopping issues at all. But I was leery about what could happen in a panic stop situation and I intend on adding some type of additional braking before I towed it much more. Due to a job change and my time not being my own for a few years. We just sold the MH since we never had time to use it.

Retirement is coming soon and I want to do the Alaska things so and we are luring around here trying to decide what we should purchase. One days it’s a 5th wheel and the next it’s a DP, and then next a TT. So as DW says when you don’t know what you want, don’t do anything. Sorry for getting so far out into the weeds and off topic.

Sox Fan wrote:
I am going to tow my 2002 Jetta TDI (5 speed manual) with a Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain tow bar and baseplate. I would like to know what those o you who are flat towing a VW are using for breaking systems and what you so about lights, do or carry magnetic ones or did you splice into the ones on the car?

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,
Good for you. That is, towing a VW when, VOA does not authorize any of its fleet to be flat towed. There are many on here that already do and, are thinking about it. I've talked with many VW toad owners while out on the road and, of course all of them being stick transmissions and, not one of them have ever had any drive train issues what so ever.

Now, as for your lights, many guys are afraid of tying into the factory wiring. I've done it on 11 toads in our travels. Seven different Jeep Wranglers, 1 Toyota pickup, 1 2011 Honda CRV EXL and our present toad, a 2011 GMC Sierra Extended Cab 4x4.

I've never, EVER experienced any electrical issues in any of these vehicles by doing it that way. It's phenomenally simple in doing it and, with the addition of some really cheap (Radio Shack) diodes, you get protection to the front end of the toads wiring system. Done!

It's your choice. I really like doing it that way because anyone following you while your towing, sees the toad lights act the same exact way they would as if you were driving it. If you'd like a schematic on how it's done, PM me and I'd be glad to shoot you one over. You'd be amazed on how simple it is. Good luck on whatever choice you make.
Scott

Well, we tow both a 2002 VW TDI Jetta 5 speed manual transmission and a 2004 Explorer Limited. The Exploder needs a brake system but I don't think the Jetta does due to weighing around 2,350 pounds. Since I had to get a braking system for the Exploder, I got a Roadmaster Even Brake System. My Safari does not have Air Brakes, just hydraulics, so "Air Based Systems" were out. For the Jetta, I did have to get an optional Jetta brake pedal clamp and a different length pedal rod for the Evan Brake box. Bottom line -- pain in the you know what to setup, so I have only used it twice on the Jetta.

JohnQ,
Just wondering, I certainly don't want to hijack the OPs thread here but, you say your Jetta weighs "around" 2350? Did you actually weigh it at a scale or, did you get info from a printed material? The reason I ask is, the Dinghy Towing guides listed our 2011 Honda CRV EX-L as 3200 lbs. When I weighed it at a certified scale, it came in at just a hair over, 3700 lbs. Hmmmmm, wonder where they got their info.

And, our present toad, an '11 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab 4x4, is listed in the Dinghy Towing guide as weighing 4875 lbs. Well, at a certified scale, it's sitting right at 5300 lbs. I've had two VW Beetle TDI units and don't have a clue what they weighed since I didn't tow them. So, your suggested weight for your Jetta could be right on. It seems low though. Just wondering.,
Scott

Thanks for all the advice and information. My 2002 Jetta TDI GVWR listed at 2974lbs with a GCWR at 3913lbs. With my 2008 Navion iQ GVWR of 11030lbs and GCWR at 14530lbs I don't think it's a good idea to tow it without suplimental braking...

Sox Fan wrote:
I don't think it's a good idea to tow it without suplimental braking...

I don't think it is a good idea to tow anything without supplemental braking with a break away system.
bumpy