Newish cars - towing electrics

DavidRC
DavidRC Forum Participant Posts: 34
edited October 2023 in Towcars & Towing #1

Thinking of changing my tow car and I’m considering a 2020 vw golf estate 2.0 tdi. It apparently has regenerative braking and presumably stop start and smart alternator. Does anyone tow with a vw of this age, if so have you had any problems getting all the caravan electrics to function correctly? Thanks.

Comments

  • DavidRC
    DavidRC Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited October 2023 #2

    PS. Caravan is a 2018 Lunar Quasar 462, 13 pin electrics and every thing works with my present 2012 car.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,663 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #3

    We have a 2016 VW Touareg, it has the smart alternator etc, our van is a 2008 model.  Both 13 pin electrics.

    No problem with electrics functioning, but to ensure van battery does get fully charged to operate Mover, and to provide plenty of power to the fridge, I have fitted a battery to battery charger, set to battery charging priority.

    Car handbook states to turn off stop/start  while towing, and turn on headlights to encourage the alternator to charge the car battery.

  • Amesford
    Amesford Forum Participant Posts: 685
    500 Comments
    edited October 2023 #4

    If it helps our 2015 swift caravan has been towed by 4 new vehicles ie Octavia, Mazada and we are on our second kuga and we have had no problems 

  • DavidRC
    DavidRC Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited October 2023 #5

    Thanks for the replies. I had seen reports of problems with charging the caravan battery and keeping the fridge running, even a suggestion that ATC could be affected. Hopefully these are isolated problems.

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2023 #6

    I have a 2019 Audi A3 petrol. It is based on the Golf and has the stop/start Technology.

    When I collected it with it's factory fitted tow bar and electrics the fridge was not getting any power when towing and had to be corrected by the dealer.

    I have since towed over 12K miles without any issues.

    I do not turn off the stop/start or turn my headlights on full. The car even drops down to 2 cylinders at times when towing.

     

    Colin

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2023 #7

    I tow my 2009 Bailey (13 pin electrics) with a 2019 Tiguan 2ltr TDi, so similar car to one you are considering.  No problems with electrics, when you get car tow bar/electrics fitted go to a reputable fitter who will don all the necessary.  My handbook says to switch off stop/start when towing and I too turn on headlights.

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