VW Passat Estate

Paragon
Paragon Forum Participant Posts: 21
edited July 2018 in Towcars & Towing #1

We are thinking of changing our 10 year old Kia Sedona for a new generation VW passat estate Dsg. I was wondering if anyone had one of these & whether the dsg box was ok for reversing onto pitches as with the alko wheel lock you have to be very accurate and I'm wondering whether it would knacker the gearbox. We have a Sprite Alpine 4 so I think the weight is ok. Thanks In advance for any help. 

Comments

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #2

    I'm not the keenest advocate of the DSG gearbox and would go for the TC every time. if its lining up the alko locks that worries you, then use a motor mover once in position or use the new Nemisis ultra wheel lock that takes about 10 seconds to fit no matter where the wheel is. brilliant for the quick stop at motorway services as well.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #3

    I agree with Lornalou re DSG vs 'proper auto'.... 

  • Paragon
    Paragon Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited July 2018 #4

    The problem is that a motor mover is the weight of a couple of bikes and I've never needed one before and I bought a nemesis wheel clamp when I bought the van and subsequently found out when I read through my insurance that it didn't meet their criteria. I know other types of auto boxes are better for towing I was just looking for peoples experiences with the dsg box over the manual. But thanks anyway for taking the time to reply. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #5

    It seems that many here are happy enough towing with their automated manual, DSG type auto though.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #6

    i would ring your insurance company and see if they are ok when on site as most sites are reasonably secure. my insurance said its ok when onsite and when on motorway services. i use the alko in storage only.

  • gould300
    gould300 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited July 2018 #7

    My previous car (Skoda Superb diesel) and current car (Skoda Superb petrol) both use the 6 speed DSG box and neither had any problems towing our 1350kg Swift 4 berth.

    The current car has spent about 40% of it's mileage towing and it only had about 1000 miles on the clock when I first used it to tow.

    I have a motor mover so it's rare that I reverse onto a pitch, however on the occasions I've done so it's been excitement-free.

  • Paragon
    Paragon Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited July 2018 #8

    Thanks for the reply Gould. We really want the dsg & I think that's what we will go for  You've changed from the diesel to petrol, did you have any dpf issues with the diesel  

  • gould300
    gould300 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited July 2018 #9

    No, I never had a DPF issue. The car would always run a regen cycle if it needed (you can't miss it - it sounds like the fans are running when you switch off the engine and there's a very hot smell for a while).

    I switched as I saw the new 280BHP model and really wanted one smile

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #10

    switching engine of when re-gen is running is a no no. fills your sump with diesel and can seriously damage the engine.

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