2005 Volkswagon Jetta, 5 Speed Manual Trans, Can I Flat Tow

The Demo and Remco websites have utilities for looking up cars that may or may not make good toads. Remco's is a little more useful because it will tell you if the car can be flat-towed, dollied, or trailered.

I'm running into this problem too. I really want to tow a new 6 speed manual VW, and VW is silent on the issue. It's easier and cheaper for them to not approve towing. Did you check out Remco's site? You can put in some details about the car and will give an answer about towing, based both on manufacturer's recommendations and on what people are actually doing. (Mini is another brand that won't approve towing, but the Cooper is an incredible popular toad.)

On the flip side, the 2002 Dodge Dakota has a section in the owner manual that clearly outlines the proper procedure for recreational towing. There is a specific sequence to be followed in order to set it up to tow and should the owner not follow the procedure then the manufacturer will not accept any liability should damage occur.

It also outlines which transfer cases can and can not be recreational towed as well.

When I was looking to upgrade I had to be very careful to find the ones with the correct transfer case in order to be able to tow it.

timmac wrote:
Thanks for the post, this is the problem my neighbor is having, VW says no but has seen others doing it, just like a post above they sell the base plates for the Jetta to flat tow, why is VW so hard headed over flat towing a manual trans, when many have done it with success.

Liability.


If they did not engineer it to be flat towed, in spite of the fact that it CAN be flt towed VW does not wish to be liable for any engineering inadequacies that might result in transmission damage from flat towing.

They never factored it in so they do not wish to take any responsibility... do it at your own risk.

Thanks for the post, this is the problem my neighbor is having, VW says no but has seen others doing it, just like a post above they sell the base plates for the Jetta to flat tow, why is VW so hard headed over flat towing a manual trans, when many have done it with success.

Then, the question is, what does VOLKSWAGEN say about recreational towing of their vehicles?
If they say no, or don't say anything one way or the other, and something goes wrong when you do it, I rather imagine you will be on your own no matter how new the car is.
IMO, if the company does not specifically approve recreational towing, I will find another vehicle that IS approved by the manufacturer for the use I need.

No cluster gear in the VW trans that I have seen up to 2010 Model year. The differntial is the lowest point in the trans making it the splash gear.

I think you would be find flat towing a 2009 as the trans in it can handle it.

The problem with towing manual transmission vehicles is that the transmission is splash lubricated. Quite often, it is the cluster gear, in the bottom of the transmission, that does the splashing of the oil. the cluster gear only turns when the engine is running, it does not turn when the output shaft is turning.
Therefore, when the vehicle is being towed, all the gears and bearings in the upper rear quarter of the transmission are turning without lubricant. It may take a while, but eventually they will be damaged and possibly destroyed.
How many miles will it take to do damage to the bearings? I don't know. It depends on how much residual lubricant the bearing holds. A bearing that is run dry usually will not last long.
It is true, one of the old-timey fixes for the problem was to replace the fill plug with a 90 degree street ell. That will raise the level of lubricant a little over an inch, perhaps close to two inches, which MAY be enough to get it up to where the output shaft will pick it up. and throw it around. It may also cause messy leaks!
Good luck.

I would THINK that a manual transmission would be fine for towing as the gears in the transmission are not engaged when it is in neutral. Of course that thought process is pre-computer cars so I would not think it would be a problem but do not quote me on it.

Towed a 2003 Jetta 5 speed for 9 yrs, no problems, Blue Ox has the proper mounts.