Passat Towing Weight

[venetian-red]

Anyone got any idea what the maximum hitch weight for a TDI Passat Estate is? I know the VW Van is about 100kg, but can't find in the handbook what it is for a Passat. This is not to be confused by the maximum towing braked/unbraked weights, this is the maximum weight allowed/recommended for the hitch. Using this I am led to believe will help me know where the best position of the car I am towing will be on the trailer? I have a 130 TDI Sport Passat Estate.

Any help would be appreciated.

[martin1810]

Do you mean you will be towing a trailer with a car on the trailer. If so, you need to balance the car on the trailer so that approximately 10 percent of the combined towed weight is on the ball hitch. That is the rule of thumb when towing. Obviously if that 10 percent is above the towbar recommendation you have problems. If you do a search for your tow bar make it should tell you what the maximum down load is.

[angus]

Caravan Club recommend [B]7%[B] of the trailer weight on the hitch, or the maximum permissable loading as specified by the manufacturers if this is less.

I think the maximum for the B5.5 saloon is 75kgs, and would assume the estate is the same.

Exceeding this figure and/or the maximum towing weight is illegal and could invalidate your insurance in the case of an accident, so make sure you know what you are loading.

Presumably the trailer is a twin-axle so loading position is`nt as critical as a single-axle and will be a more stable tow, but it will weight more and so eat into your towing limit more.

[venetian-red]

Cheers guys; yes it is a twin axle braked car trailer and my Mk2 Escort rally car on it; combined weight is about 1400kg, so within the permissible amount for a Passat Estate, but as I am a bit of a novice at trailering, still unsure where exactly I should sit the car on the trailer; we are only talking a few inches either way I reckon, just needed to be sure how to measure or weigh the hitch load. Thank again guys.

[angus]

To measure the hitch load, either get a `nose-weight indicator`, or a pair of bathroom scales with a square of wood on it and a cut-down broom handle or similar to put in the hitch with the other end on the scales. Lower the hitch by slowly windin up the jockey wheel until its clear and you have your nose weight.

[swannswanny]

I tow caravan with estate same.read somewere 80kg max towball limit,hope this helps.

[venetian-red]

Angus, at the risk of appearing thick, won't the trailer tip forward if it is not on the towball? Or will it rest on the jockey wheel and you just lower it until it is level, using the jockey wheel as the 'failsafe'? Cheers.

[angus]

If you get the trailer so it looks about level (using the jockey wheel), place your scales directly underneath the hitch with your piece of wood (to spread the load) on top. With a suitable length of wood (some use a cut-down broom handle) that fits into the ball-socket and rests on the scales, slowly wind up the jockey wheel until it is just clear of the ground.

You can then read off the scales, the reading being your nose-weight.

Alternatively you can just stick the scales under the jockey wheel and level-up, but its not as accurate as its not as far forward as the hitch, but it will give an indication.

Hope that helps.

[venetian-red]

Got it! Cheers, appreciated.