Dinghy Towing

[TeddyCleo]

I'm a rookie. Please advise whether a 2013 VW Beetle is flat towable as a dinghy. If not, why not? Thanks.

[rjstractor]

I looked in my Jetta's manual, and there is quite a lengthy section about emergency towing. It even describes in some detail how to "redneck tow" either a Jetta or another vehicle. It does say that if the Jetta is an automatic to limit towing to 30 mph and 30 miles. It makes no mention of any restrictions with a manual transmission but at the same time it doesn't say you can tow unrestricted.

[TeddyCleo]

Thanks for the responses. I did go to a dealer. A very helpful and honest sales person let me look through the manuals for several VW's. They say nothing about towing with all wheels down. We then spoke with a service manager, who said that if the manual doesn't say you can do it, don't do it. Enough said. Also REMCO does not list the Beetle as towable.

[wny_pat1]

Volkswagen does not say anything about recreational towing in their manuals. And they (Volkswagen of America) are one of those auto manufacturers that will do anything to get out of a warranty issue. It may be towable, but be forewarned if they know your towing it. It may depend on the service manager. There are many towing Jetta, which is basically the same platform, and they are in the same boat.

[tropical36]

TeddyCleo wrote:
I'm a rookie. Please advise whether a 2013 VW Beetle is flat towable as a dinghy. If not, why not? Thanks.

Don't see it here... http://www.royrobinsonrv.com/images/pdf/DinghyGuide2013.pdf

[gbopp]

Welcome to the forum.

Did you try Remco for an answer to your question?

[aslakson]

Roadmaster makes tow brackets for a 2013 VW bug - 2.5 hardtop, no turbo. Blue Ox doesn't. So, maybe. Best bet is to read through the owner's manual for the car and see what the manufacturer says. DON'T ask a salesperson. Read the book.

In most cases, the ability to tow four down depends on the design of the transmission or transaxle.

But if the mfr doesn't say you can, and you try it, there's no warranty coverage when the whole thing blows up.

al