Who Tows a VW New Beetle?

FIRE UP wrote:
I was not fond of the gas VWs because of the much poorer gas mileage of that era. I haven't looked into the latest ones, as in the '13s '14s or 15's so, I don't even know what engine is offered in what models. But, if we had a choice, and we were in the market, and if they made one, we'd both like a brand new, convertible TDI Bug. That's a hot looking little retro-car in our opinion.

I recently went through the decision making process of buying a TDI or the new 1.8 turbo TSI gas engine. I drove a TDI Jetta and a TSI Passat back to back, both manual transmission and if you could drive blindfolded you would be hard pressed to tell them apart. The new TSI is direct injected and has a flat torque curve from 1500 to 4800 rpm. It pulls hard without downshifting on hills like the TDI. The TDI got a full 10 mpg better in my test drive loop. In the end I got the Passat with the TDI because it was a bigger, nicer car for a little less money, and I had concerns with the DPF on the diesel due to my short commute. Since I've bought the car I've averaged just over 30 mpg in mostly city driving and 40+ is easily attainable on the highway. A buddy I work with has a much longer commute and bought a Passat SE TDI. He regularly gets 50+ mpg.

I guess to sum it up you can't go wrong with either engine, both have great performance and fuel economy. If someone is into going really fast (I'm not) the 1.8 TSI can be tuned to 245 hp/290 ft-lbs of torque with just an ECU upgrade.

I've never owned a diesel but I certainly wouldn't disregard one if it became available. The problem here is that they command a premium price in the Northwest although the demand has lessened slightly since the advent of hybrids and EVs. I know the 2.0L VW engine was a bit of a gas hog (comparatively) and were prone to oil consumption, but my experience with my old '99 1.8L turbo with a 5 speed was pretty good. I averaged the mid to high 30 MPG on the highway and mid to upper 20's in town. Good talk!

ol' yeller,
You're certainly welcome. As stated, we've owned two, TDI VW Beetles, an '03 and an '04. I loved those cars. Neither one of them EVER went below, 42 mpg. And both got me between 49-50 on the road at 60 mph. And, they never slowed down at the sight of any grade I pointed them at. If I hit the bottom of the grades at 60, I crested them at 60 and, that's with the A/C on and, as many people as would fit in the car.

I was not fond of the gas VWs because of the much poorer gas mileage of that era. I haven't looked into the latest ones, as in the '13s '14s or 15's so, I don't even know what engine is offered in what models. But, if we had a choice, and we were in the market, and if they made one, we'd both like a brand new, convertible TDI Bug. That's a hot looking little retro-car in our opinion.

And, it's the only car I'd ever buy that has a "stick" tranny.
Scott

Thanks Scott. After not getting much info on this subject here, I did go to another RV Forum and found lots of folks who tow what I am considering. I also saw your posts there as well. I love convertibles. Right now I have a Buick Reatta convertible, so that would probably be what I will look for. 2003-2006 Beetle convertible with the 1.8 Turbo and a 5 speed manual. My Reatta is too heavy to tow and it requires a dolly which I don't want to do.

ol' yeller wrote:
I've been kicking around getting a toad for the RV in my sig. I did a search here but didn't find much. I know that VOA doesn't recommend 4 down towing but I have seen several being towed 4 down and I know there are baseplates and bars made for them. I'd like to hear from some of those who have done this and what their experience was. I know it will need to be a manual and the early 2000's seem to be in my price range. I did have a '99 a few years ago and really liked it. Mine was a GLX with the 1.8 turbo. I am limited with what I can tow as my RV is only rated to pull 3500#.

ol' yeller,
I've spoken with several travelers in camp sites and RV parks that were and are, towing late model VW Beetles and Jettas. All of course, are stick versions, not automatics. And yes, VOA does not authorize any of its fleet to be flat towed. But, in at least 9 out of 10 of the people I've talked with, told me they went to the dealership and, by-passed the service reps and went directly to the transmission techs. All of the transmission techs told them there would be no damage to the stick version transmissions in their late model VWs which, several of them were the TDI version.

And, of course, none of them (the techs) would put it in writing due to VOAs position on flat towing. But, several of these folks I spoke with, had several thousand miles of trouble free towing. Not one ever had any issues concerning towing, transmissions, structural, or any other facits of towing. They all knew that VOA does not authorize their cars to be flat towed, and many were fairly new and still had warranty.

Is it done on a daily basis, yep, it sure is. Does it make it right? Well, that's a matter of choice. If you desire a later VW as a toad and, you're willing to accept responsibility, then go for it, it's your car. We love those TDI versions and, if we didn't have to use the truck as a toad, to haul our 900 lb. Honda Goldwing, it's more than likely we'd have a late (close to new) VW Beetle convertible TDI as a toad. The heck with VOA. They need to get a clue.
Scott

From GoldenHVAC,

"A problem with another manufacture is that the front end is designed to hold up a bumper, and to crush in a accident. It is not designed to be pulled with a motorhome while transferring all the weight of the car to the front bumper frame area. So after a couple of front hitch plate falling off the car happened, that car manufacture said "No towing our cars"."

This is an interesting suggestion but probably not one with any anecdotal evidence to support the theory. I would assume that with the current state of liability claims in this country, towbar manufacturers wouldn't still be making the bars 10 years later. I did start out considering a Manx type Dune Buggy but I live in the Great Northwet and would need some sort of a top that doesn't appear to be available for them making them waterproof.

Warranty is not a big worry on a 10-14 year old car. I would really like to hear from someone who has actually towed a 2000-2004 New Beetle or why they decided against it. I see too many towed behind motorhomes for it not be feasable. Previous postings in this forum have claimed that it is possible with the 5 speed manual with a couple anecdotal stories about doing it with no problems. I'd also appreciate hearing if someone did it and had problems.

Sometimes it can be helpful to read a post carefully before replying.... OP, since you are looking at an early 2000s Beetle obviously warranty is not a concern on a 12 year old car. I would suggest finding a manual for the particular car since VOA has not always prohibited 4 down towing. When I had a 2012 Jetta there were no towing restrictions listed for the manual transmission and it specifically mentioned using a tow bar. My 2014 Passat manual specifically prohibits four down towing for either manual or automatic models. I have seen new Beetles being towed 4 down for many years. Like any towing setup, a quality baseplate that is properly installed is key.

HI,

A problem with another manufacture is that the front end is designed to hold up a bumper, and to crush in a accident. It is not designed to be pulled with a motorhome while transferring all the weight of the car to the front bumper frame area. So after a couple of front hitch plate falling off the car happened, that car manufacture said "No towing our cars".

I know that with my Honda CRV - 1999 I had some 4' long bars that attached to the frame behind the engine, and then the bar across the front attached to the frame. I guess that was to transfer some of that pull pressure further back in the frame of the car, than just the front bumper area.

Hopefully my Edge will not have any problems. It did not come with longer bars to help transfer weight from the front bumper area to the rest of the frame.

I do sometimes tow a 67 Bug based Manx dune buggy! It is a lot of fun, but no doors or windows, and not that comfortable if it starts raining. .

Good luck,

Fred.

If VOA says not to tow 4 down, you better listen. Anything happens, the warranty will be void. More importantly, VOA is warning you that something WILL happen. It is not an issue of base plates, etc. as much as it is that the MFGR says NO.
Any doubts, check with REMCO. In my case, Toyota told me I could tow a P/U 4 down. REMCO said no and Campworld wouldn't sell the equip. After some work, Toyota agreed with REMCO that I couldn't tow their trucks 4 down, except for 4wd.
IMHO, if VW says NO, I wouldn't try it.