Anybody towing with a Toureg?

[southpaw211]

We're looking to upgrade our TV (GMC Envoy XL) as it's getting a little long in the tooth and showing a bit of rust starting on the back. Can't go with a truck because we bring the dog in her crate and I'm not puttin her in an open bed, so we've been looking for SUVs that aren't enormous but have a decent towing capacity. We've landed on the VW Touareg (I think it can tow about 1500 more than our Envoy). Just wondering if anyone tows with one, if they like it, etc?

[Threebutchers]

Every automotive publication I have read is NOT very kind to the Touareg on reliability.

I have never seen one towing, but I have seen several being towed....and I am being serious. Your mileage may vary!!!!!!!!

[DocBrown]

Keep in mind that the Toureg has a 113in wheelbase and the Envoy XL has a 129in wheelbase. That could make a difference in stability with your longer trailer. I have a relatives that tow a 24ft trailer with a SWB Trailblazer that has a 113 in wheelbase. I've followed him and it does not appear to be a pleasant towing experience. Aside from that I think the Toureg has a lot of good towing qualities. You may not have any trouble with it, just something I think you should consider. I wonder if a dealer would let you do a test tow on the freeway?

[southpaw211]

Hmmm. Food for thought! Looks like it's back to the drawing board and a little touchup paint on the Envoy for now. We could use a little more power than what the Envoy gives us at some point, for sure.

[clubhouse]

Our dog rides in a crate in the open bed with no issues. We came from an SUV and had lots of concern about moving Gus, our boxer, outside. It appears he really likes it, always eager to jump in the truck bed and gets in the crate with no reluctance.

[Paulx213]

Out of my price range right now but I'm interested in hearing more about the Toureg too. The towing capacity and the excellent diesel engine (406 ft/lbs of torque!) caught my eye. Saw a road test recently that averaged 24 mpg over the test. My Expedition struggles to get 15 mpg.

There should be a huge market out there for a tow vehicle that doesn't suck gas. I can't find any towing tests yet though.

[etothepii]

It actually looks really good on paper. I tow with a Trailblazer (113 in. wheel base). The Touareg is actually 113.9 in., so an inch more ... big deal. But the Overall capacity and mileage looks great. Just darned expensive, and forget about maintenance and repairs ...

[LongIslandCamper]

I've never seen the VW tow anything. I know you didn't want to put the pup in the open bed of a pickup. What if you bought a cap for the bed? Would that change your mind?

[southpaw211]

I don't think so on the cap. I don't mind in the least being a lady driving a truck (heck, I've been the one driving the SUV for 10 years while hubby tools around in a WRX), but something about the cap just is not aesthetically pleasing to me. Touareg is definitely pricey - we'd have to get one a couple years old for that reason. I really like the new explorers, but I don't think they tow any more than what we've got now. SUV's just don't seem to tow as much as they used to I guess?

As for the dog - she's 9 mos old and gets carsick on a 10 minute car ride. I don't think she'd enjoy being in an open bed. Plus, she's mama's baby and I don't know what I'd do if there were an accident and something awful happened to her.

[LongIslandCamper]

When I bring my dog camping I use a harness for him when traveling. It's a regular dog harness that wraps around the neck and chest but it's kind of made out of seat belt material and is almost as wide. It almost looks like he has a seatbelt wrapped around him. The harness then has a large loop on top in the spot where the hook to attach a leash normally would go. You simply pass the car seatbelt through the large loop and then lock the seatbelt like you normally would. The dog can move around a little bit and can sit and stand when he pleases but he's mostly restrained to the actual seat.

It's great because God forvgide you get into an accident or have to stop short then at least the dog is secured with almost as much protection as you.

I have something like this.

[Paulx213]

Found a video road test on YouTube of a Toureg TDi. They include a short towing test where it tows a car on a flat bed trailer. Not much detail unfortunately but he seemed impressed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84S_7AQ-uLw

[southpaw211]

Nice video! Now I'm thinking maybe we keep looking for a Touareg after all...