My current tow vehicle is a Suburban. I now have to replace my car with a small SUV. Getting one with a higher towing capacity (relative to other small SUVs) would enable me to get rid of my Suburban. However, I'm concerned about towing at near the stated capacity. How do the Touareg and/or Cayenne (stated capacity 7716 lbs) do towing 7000 pounds? How about up and down hills (i.e. - Sacramento to Tahoe)?

i think you need to look at tongue capacity AND payload amount, not just how much it's rated to tow.there's way more to consider, than just towing capacity, especially with a short wheelbase SUV.

I think the Touareg will handle just about anything...

I would agree with bikendan with regards to the short wheelbase. Short SUVs and long TTs don't mix particularly well. Short wheelbased vehicles can not handle the sway of a longer heavier trailer. If you don't already have a very good sway control system I would suggest that be your number one priority if you do make the switch to an SUV. Maybe something like the Husky Centerline system that does not need adjustment.

Power shouldn't be a problem. The 3.0 TDI used in the Toureg has nearly identical specs to the VM Motori used in the new Ram which has a higher tow rating.

I'm going suggest that it's not a great idea, but opinions vary and some people tow trailers like you have with one. I tow with a 2012 3.0 TDI, but at a much lighter 4,500 lbs fully loaded. The problem is not power, but tongue weight capacity. I don't see how you would even stay under the rated 770 lbs tongue weight with a 7,000 lb trailer (is that dry or loaded?). I'm way under that at about 550 lbs and I wouldn't want to go any higher than that. We use a WD hitch with 600 lb bars pretty much maxed out. This is a unibody vehicle with the bumper bolted to the unibody, so beefier WD bars are not something I would feel comfortable with, although opinions vary here. Sway is not an issue. Although it is a short vehicle, it actually has a decent wheelbase at 114". That's only 2" less than a 2014 Chevy Tahoe.Look at the offroad and towing section of the Club Touareg forums for more opinions and info.We love the Touareg, and it's perfect for our situation right now, but if I were you I would keep the suburban and use it just for towing, or get a truck.

Towing with Touareg or Cayenne | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

wilber1
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
Power shouldn't be a problem. The 3.0 TDI used in the Toureg has nearly identical specs to the VM Motori used in the new Ram which has a higher tow rating.
RCWannabe
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
I would agree with bikendan with regards to the short wheelbase. Short SUVs and long TTs don't mix particularly well. Short wheelbased vehicles can not handle the sway of a longer heavier trailer. If you don't already have a very good sway control system I would suggest that be your number one priority if you do make the switch to an SUV. Maybe something like the Husky Centerline system that does not need adjustment.
BigBaron
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
I think the Touareg will handle just about anything...
bikendan
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
i think you need to look at tongue capacity AND payload amount, not just how much it's rated to tow.
there's way more to consider, than just towing capacity, especially with a short wheelbase SUV.

Forum Discussion

Towing with Touareg or Cayenne

24 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Tow Ratings

Towing with a 3.0 L Touareg TDI diesel

Ram 1500 Towing Capacity

Truck camper towing a boat

Who misses the Tow Vehicle discussions?