Passat B5/B5.5 Towing Weights

[CWA]

Hey guys, new to the forum and looking into a few tow car options. I've posted this question in a few other forums so if there is no objection I'll just duplicate my post here.

"I was just wondering if I could pick your brains a bit more and ask if you know for sure the exact published MAX towing weights for any of these cars (below). Obviously I'm planning to tow and whilst now I know they are all capable of towing alot, I ideally need to know the exact amounts so I can look into trailers and the maximum gross weight the cars are legally allowed to pull. My main worry would be with the trailer's PLATED weight exceeding the car's MAX towing weight (to keep legal).. whether the trailer's actual weight is over or not (I do intend to keep within the 85% rule).

Passat B5 - 2.5 TDI (150) V6
Passat B5 - 1.9 TDI (115)
Passat B5.5 - 1.9 TDI (130)

Also perhaps any of these VAG cars aswell..

Audi A6 C5 - 1.9 TDI (130)
Audi A6 C5 - 2.5 TDI (180)

Audi A6 C4 - 2.5 TDI (140) V6

I don't mind whether they are Estates or Saloons, and Quattro/4Motions or not as long as anyone can specify and shed a bit of light. Finding it very hard to get hold of any of this info on the web without contradiction, I figure any of you who might know for sure after owning one or currently owning one would be the best sources of info "

[Peter_HMR]

I'm not sure I can help with the technical aspect but I have a B5.5 130bhp and find it very good to tow. I've pulled a couple of cars with it the largest being around 2.5tonnes and the passat handled it very well.

If nobody comes back with information I'll go look up the handbook and get you some exact figures. Also depends on the type of tow bar you use as I have a swan neck I think its less.

[CWA]

Thanks for the reply dude, if no-one else replies some manufacturers figures would be great if they are accessible. I wasn't aware that the types of tow bar mattered as I would have thought that whoever fitted it would make sure it is capable of pulling the vehicle's plated MAX towing weight at least, but I suppose it's (yet another) something to check and look into!

Good to hear that you find it a satisfactory tower though, that seems to be the general consensus of these cars

[pag]

I have a B5 1.9 TDI 130 Estate and it's max tow weight is 1700kgs.

According to the hand book the 100 bhp tows 1600kgs and the V6 150bhp 1700kgs
A 4wd tows 2000kgs.

If you look at cars on Auto Trader and click on the technical data page they give the towing weight on there.

Hope this helps.
Paul G