It may seem simple; you attach the desired trailer to your vehicle and hit the road to do what you need to do. Unfortunately, it's more complex.
The truth is, towing isn't that simple, and misuse can put a strain on your vehicle and result in costly repairs.
And not all vehicles are built to tow or have the skill to do so. So here are some tips to follow before you think about safely towing your Volkswagen.
The capacity of your model
First and foremost, you need to know the capacity of your model. Where an Atlas SUV can tow up to 5,000 pounds with a 3.6 liter V6 engine, you are limited to 1,500 pounds with a Tiguan.
Also, make sure you have the necessary equipment to hook up. Details, but they are so important. Once these checks are done, let's look at two things.
Weight on the hitch ball (at the boom or drawbar, depending on which term you use)
When you attach a load to your vehicle, a certain amount of weight is placed on the hitch ball. This weight is then transferred to the main vehicle, reducing its payload. You have to make sure you don't exceed it.
It is important to calculate everything. To be sure, don't hesitate to check with our Volkswagen workshop as what is allowed may be a little different from one model to another. What's important to understand is that the amount of weight placed on the car has a significant effect on steering, braking, handling and load capacity. If you put too much weight on the rear axle, you lose weight on the front axle. This has a negative effect on steering because there is less grip at the front.
Conversely, if there are not enough peas on the tiller, there will be too much weight on the front axle, which will negatively affect steering, since the rear axle is responsible for the safety of the steering.
Balance is the word to remember here.
The weight of the trailer
One way to achieve this is to balance the weight of what you are carrying. In the case of a boat or trailer, there's not much to do, but if you're loading a trailer or box full of gear yourself, it's important to center the loads so that the rear of your vehicle isn't overly stressed. Conversely, weight that is too far back on the trailer can affect stability on the road.
Once again, don't hesitate to consult a Volkswagen expert in order to perform safely. The ultimate goal is safe travel.