What can it tow?
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Should be able to... yes.
The degree to how well it could tow a jetski would depend greatly on the size/weight of the jetski, number of miles you're looking to tow it, and the grade of diesel you're throwin' in your NB.
The real trick is actually going to be how you hook up a tow bar. There are one or two that I like (like the hidden hitches), but they all seem to ride quite low... and have the potential to bottom out pretty regularly. I wish there was one that mounted up higher... even if it meant that I had to cut a hole in the bumper cover, I'd still be all over it. There are speedbumps in my neighborhood the size of small mountains, and I just can't afford to lose the clearance I have now.
The degree to how well it could tow a jetski would depend greatly on the size/weight of the jetski, number of miles you're looking to tow it, and the grade of diesel you're throwin' in your NB.
The real trick is actually going to be how you hook up a tow bar. There are one or two that I like (like the hidden hitches), but they all seem to ride quite low... and have the potential to bottom out pretty regularly. I wish there was one that mounted up higher... even if it meant that I had to cut a hole in the bumper cover, I'd still be all over it. There are speedbumps in my neighborhood the size of small mountains, and I just can't afford to lose the clearance I have now.
Very true - ground clearance isn't a stock NB's forte, and a hitch makes it worse. Oso is a little taller than most others, though, and I have yet to scrape on ramps after his 'surgery'. The skid plate ocasionally, but not nose or tail.TDI4ever said:
I'll be hauling a load of furniture to Austin on Sunday for our daughter - it's always interesting the looks one gets pulling a decently loaded trailer with a NB!
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Where Does One Find A Trailer Hitch Assembly ?
So who sells a good trailer hitch assembly for the NB?
So who sells a good trailer hitch assembly for the NB?
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242 Posts
Tows great! I've tow'd about 2200 pounds... To counter the tounge weight I added a package from AirLift into the rear springs, It can actually LIFT the rear car up an inch or more!
Etrailer.com is a GREAT resource. I chose to use the Draw-Tite solution, It has more link points to the car... Wish I could find a class 2 hitch though
Etrailer.com is a GREAT resource. I chose to use the Draw-Tite solution, It has more link points to the car... Wish I could find a class 2 hitch though
My towing experience is not with the NB, but in order to tow with a normal low clearance vehicle you want:
1) a long trailer, or some way to separate a bit more the car and the jetski as you back up into the water. If you find a steep ramp, then this is a non issue.
2) new heavy duty struts/shocks in the back which you can pump up a bit with air.
The HD air struts will also protect your rear suspension in general.
In the future...., I myself would like to tow a Hobbie 16 or a set of kayaks....
1) a long trailer, or some way to separate a bit more the car and the jetski as you back up into the water. If you find a steep ramp, then this is a non issue.
2) new heavy duty struts/shocks in the back which you can pump up a bit with air.
The HD air struts will also protect your rear suspension in general.
In the future...., I myself would like to tow a Hobbie 16 or a set of kayaks....
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242 Posts
my TDI is a champ at towing.wawalker said:I don't have a TDI, but I would think the low-end torque would make it the superior NB engine for towing.
in europe the cars are rated to tow up to their gross vehicle weight. If the trailer was pulling the car around that much you did not have enough tounge weight. Tounge weight is VERY important. ALWAYS have a minimum of 10%. With an 800 pound load, you could easily do a 20% tounge weight.wawalker said:
Good advice. When towing a trailer, become friends with the right lane whenever possible.wawalker said:
To get a class II hitch in North America you'd have to have one custom built, or imported from europe. I've thought about it, but decided that a Class I is all I really need, and the draw-tite offering is designed well enough to be more like a Class 1.5. saying that, Tow what you're comfortable with.wawalker said:
again, not necessary. I've towed 2200 pounds, yes, I drove VERY conservatively and this was on a 300 mile trip from medford oregon to portland oregon (mountain passes) given proper stopping distance and all, the brakes work just fine. Weather you have the smaller brakes offered in the TDI's or 2.0's, or the larger brakes offered in the 1.8t's the brakes and the associated braking system are better then anything else in this class of vehicle. More specificly, if you can produce enough clamping force on the brakes to lock up the wheels (or activate the ABS) you've reached the limit of the tires friction, not the brakes ability to do it's job.wawalker said:the brakes are completely inadequate for this. If you must pull over 1000 lbs. please get trailer with pendulum brakes at least.
Sorry for tearing your response apart. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and your contribution to the thread is valuable.
[/B]JetPuf said:
Well, my hitch specifies a max of 100 lbs. of tongue weight--so when the load is beyond 500 lbs. you can't get 20% anymore. I challenge you to try a real avoidance manuever if you don't think I'm right--do it with and w/o a trailer--the difference is significant.
No problem, no apology necessary. We disagree is all. I frankly think pulling 2200 lbs. w/ a compact car even on level ground is completely irresponsible--especially w/o trailer brakes or upgraded vehicle brakes and suspension. Maybe I'm just overly cautious.
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