Guys, I have a strange question. I'm looking to pick up a tow vehicle for my '05 C2S and 18' aluminum trailer. I'm pulling about 4500lbs, so not a huge haul.

I am strongly considering picking up a VW Touareg, and at this point I've nailed it down to a 2007-2008 V8, I drove the V6 and it seemed a little anemic for towing. I'm only looking to spend a max of $30k-$33k, and most of the cars out there are certified with 25-27k miles on them, so no issues there.

Does anyone have experience long-term with (including towing) a Touareg from these years? Also, am I right about the V6 not being well equipped to handle towing duty?

Thanks!

Ohan

 

Touareg are excellent for towing. I have a V10 TDI. I pulled a 22' trailer with a car no problem.

I would recommend a V8 for towing.

 

Thanks for your recommendation. This truck really blew me away when I test drove one the other day. It had the adjustable air suspension, NAV, heated seats, fully loaded...awesome truck, and had the V8. Glad to hear it is a good choice.

 

Just throwing it out there. A month ago I was looking for a tow vehicle in the same price range you mention, and I was surprised to see how much the older cayenne turbos have depreciated. I picked up a clean 2004 CTT with 42k miles and a clean car fax for 30k. I towed 400+ miles last week and it tows like a charm. I pulled an 03 996tt on a 1700 lb steel trailer and it was a piece of cake. Much better than the ford f150 quad cab i towed the same car/trailer with previously.

 

I would get the V8 definitely...long grades are a ***** if you've got no power. Believe me, I tow 7500 lbs in a truck only designed to tow 7000 and going up the Grapevine my top speed is 41mph. That also means 7.4 mpg.

But I'd get a diesel over any of those, either a diesel Grand Cherokee or Mercedes ML / GL. 24 mpg when empty + a powerband more sutied for towing.

 

Well my cayenne turbo puts out 450 lbs torque, has a 7700 lb tow capacity and it's "smarter" than the rest in that it:

a.) adjusts the air suspension and load leveling specifically when towing
b.) adjusts the transmission shift points when towing
c.) sets off the car alarm if it is set and someone unplugs the trailer
d.) has separate built-in blinker indicators that will tell you if you have a trailer light out
e.) gets 12mpg when towing 5300 lbs
f.) has monster brakes and stops as well as a sports car
g.) is plush, super sound proof and not cheap plastic inside
h.) has a genuinely impressive factory stereo system

On the downside, it gets 15-18mpg when not towing and is expensive to repair if it breaks down.

 

I recently saw a Taureg (sp) tow a 911 to the track, seems to work well. I have no idea what engine it was equipped with.


I also saw a Cayenne tow a Cayman to and from the autocross...

 

Check this out as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQPNiAB6xbM

 

My 04 Touareg has all those options and it tows GREAT.