Towing a 2016 VW GTI

[whemme]

For those interested it is now possible to setup a 2016 VW GTI with manual transmission for 4 wheels down towing. Blue OX now has a base plate for this car - mine was the 1st to be equipped with it. See attached photo below.

To eliminate the need to have the ignition switch in the ON position so that the steering would be unlocked, I had a mechanic disassemble the steering stack and use a carbide cutting tool to cut off the pin that locks the steering. Also, this VW's 12 VDC power receptacles are not powered when the ignition switch is OFF and key removed. However, the yellow 20 amp plug in fuse in the fuse holder under the driver's side dash can be unplugged and moved to a 2nd plug in location that changes these receptacles so they stay hot with the key removed so that you can power a braking systems such as the Brake Buddy or the Blue Ox Patriot.

[opnspaces]

Almost any competent mechanic can open the steering column and cut the anti-theft pin.

[johnl134]

Hi,

I am setting up a 2015 GTI to be flat towed. I am planning to do a similar setup as you. 

The only item left for me is to understand how to disable the steering lock by cutting off the lock pin. I Do you have more details or the ph number of the shop that did this for you? 

Thanks!

[MORSNOW]

You're replying to an old dead post from over seven years ago.

[73driver]

Thanks, Whemme.....my first toad behind my first MH. I'll talk to my mechanic about the steering lock.

[whemme]

73driver,

Since my key is removed when towing, the panel is not powered so the digital odometer does not indicate any mileage increase. However, in your case where you must have the ignition switch in the ACC position, your instrument panel may be powered so your odometer may add in your towed mileage. You should know if you have towed your GTI. If so, you may be able to remove a fuse to stop the odometer from indicating.

Prior to getting the GTI, I towed a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu that was also setup with a Blue Ox system. Since I was getting a new tow bar from the Blue Ox factory anyway for the GTI, I advertised the Malibu as a vehicle already setup for towing and would include the existing Blue Ox tow bar, base plate and installed tail light wiring. The Malibu had approximately 93,000 miles on the odometer when I sold it but with approximately 55,000 towed mileage that did not register on the odometer. A person drove all the way from Tennessee to Iowa to look at the car and bought it for $6,000. There is a demand for used toads.

[73driver]

Whemme,

Am I to assume that your mileage doesn't increase as you tow with a cold car? Not that it really matters....I would think the towing gear might give it away as a tow vehicle

[whemme]

73driver,

I had an independent foreign car mechanic cut off my steering locking pin. He charged me around $120 for that work. The locked steering is not a safety feature but a supposed anti-theft feature I could get along without - non of my other vehicles have locked steering.

Anyway it is nice to be able to put the manual transmission in neutral, pull the key from the ignition, lock the car and tow away.

[73driver]

I installed the RVi battery charger, wired to the MH via the cable. I push the start button once to activate the "acc" and leave the key fob in the car. I found that if I kept the key with me and and got out of range, the acc would eventually shut down automatically and relook the wheel. If I left them in the car, it stays on. I learned the hard way that you need to disable the "convinence auto lock" feature as my doors would automatically lock after the car starts rolling. And no, the extra key would not electronically open the door. I would like to be able to leave the car cold and tow it, but I'm a little uncomfotable takin my steering column apart.

[whemme]

73driver,

What did you do about the locked steering? Yes, Blue Ox recommends the the wiring kit that adds the bulbs to the existing tail light fixtures.

[73driver]

Thanks, Whemme. Just finished installing the whole Blue Ox system on my 2016 GTI for towing behind my Winnebago View. The hardest part was my penchant to re-engineer the tail light install. I wanted to use the diode kit but ultimately found out they wouldn't work on the GTI. Had I listened to them in the first place, I wouldn't have fought it for 2 days. So far, it's a nice rig!

[BruceMc]

I should have held out for the manual tranny on our new '16 Golf Sportwagen.... Oh well.
Our 2012 Canyon 4wd is flat towable, but with a 24' Sunseeker, we've really never needed a toad. Having nothing behind makes it so much easier, particularly the places we tend to go. We've never shied away from gravel roads.

[whemme]

Also, if you go to the Blue Ox website you will find base plates for various years and models of VWs. VW never has listed there cars as flat towable in their owner's manual. However, only the manual transmission models can be flat towed.

[Healeyman]

bayoubelle wrote:
I'm confused, so some vehicles can be towed even though they aren't listed on remco's site?

Absolutely! For example, NO Mazda product is listed anywhere as being flat towable, but I have flat towed 3 Mazda Miatas over 75,000 miles with no ill effects.

Tim

[whemme]

I have now towed my 2016 GTI for more than 3000 miles with no problems. When the Blue Ox factory engineered and installed the free base plate for the car, part of the deal was I got a free new Blue Ox tow bar and tail light wiring. I did have to pay for the tail light wiring kit but they installed it free. They installed extra bulbs in the tail light reflector assemblies. If you look at the photo of the front of the car in my original post, the connector for the tail light cable is located right under the license plate.