Can the Volkswagen Tiguan Tow a Camper Trailer?
There’s a famous saying: big things come in small packages. While this may be true in some instances, does the Volkswagen Tiguan live up to this mantra when it comes to towing your camper?
Could the Tiguan be your family’s next vehicle for those weekend camping trips? Let’s see!
Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The Volkswagen Tiguan has a low towing capacity of 1500 pounds. Keep in mind that towing capacity is the amount of weight a vehicle can safely pull. A towing capacity of 1500 pounds is meager, but it’s not uncommon in many mid-size SUVs.
Maxing out your vehicle while towing is a recipe for disaster. Not only is it unsafe, but it also dramatically accelerates the wear and tear on your car. However, the towing capacity isn’t the only number working against the Volkswagen Tiguan in this respect.
Other Volkswagen Tiguan Specs & Features
The Volkswagen Tiguan has numerous safety and comfort features that make it an appealing daily drive. You can find a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that makes 184 horsepower in all six trim levels. The turbocharged engine makes this compact SUV a fun vehicle, especially when accelerating from a standstill.
Volkswagen has crammed an abundance of technology and safety features in the Tiguan. With driver assistance, Pedestrian Monitoring, and a new customizable digital cockpit, you’ll be questioning why you didn’t get this vehicle sooner!
The 4MOTION all-wheel drive lets you easily adjust the car’s performance based on road conditions. With a simple knob turn, the Tiguan will adjust axle power distribution for optimal driving performance. You’ll feel more in control than ever before.
Can the Volkswagen Tiguan Tow a Camper Trailer?
The Tiguan, like many compact SUVs, can tow a camper trailer, but you better keep it light. With a minimal towing capacity of 1500 pounds and a payload capacity of 1124 pounds, it would be challenging to pack a weekend’s worth of camping gear.
There are a handful of small camper trailers that would fit under the Tiguan’s towing capacity. However, the 1124 pounds of payload capacity will be a limiting factor.
Payload refers to the amount of weight that the car’s axles can take. If you’re towing, it includes passenger, cargo, and 10% of the camper’s weight. Campers will find themselves struggling against this number often when pulling, especially with such a limited capacity.
Pro Tip: These are the 5 Best Crossover SUVs for Towing.
What Kind of Campers Can Be Towed with the Volkswagen Tiguan?
Keeping the towing and payload capacity numbers in mind, think small–very small. While even popup trailers can be over these numbers, there are a handful of options.
The Scamp 13 starts at weights as low as 1200 pounds and only uses 100 pounds of payload capacity. With proper weight management for gear, this could be an excellent option for families seeking wonderful weekend memories.
The Scamp 13 isn’t the only option. For couples or individuals looking to tow with the Tiguan, Taxa Trailers has a few models to consider. Their trailers are compact in design and weight and made for adventuring.
Just because you’re going small doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort.
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan a Good Car for Towing?
The Volkswagen Tiguan, like many in its class, is not engineered with towing in mind. With limited towing and payload capacity, the Tiguan struggles in the towing department. It can pull a minimal amount of weight, but individuals looking to tow a camper for a family weekend trip will be frustrated.
When planning your family camping trip, you want the proper tools for the job. The Tiguan is really not an appropriate tool for towing, and there are other cars in its class that will better perform the job.
How Much Is a Volkswagen Tiguan?
Starting prices for the Volkswagen Tiguan S and SE are $25,245 and $27,395, respectively. If you want a balance of luxury features and value, the SE R-Line Black and SEL trims start at $30,595 and $32,545. The premier Tiguan, the SEL Premium R-Line, starts at $39,095.
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan a Reliable Vehicle?
Repairpal, which ranks the reliability of vehicles, gave the Tiguan a 3-star rating. While this doesn’t sound like a deal-breaker, it ranks last compared to other cars in its class. You’ll make more frequent trips to the mechanic, and the repairs generally cost more.
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan All-Wheel Drive?
The latest Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with front-wheel drive. An optional upgrade to Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system is available at all trim levels. This upgrade provides a state-of-the-art traction system that adjusts as road conditions change. If you’re planning to tow, you’ll want this upgrade.
Ultimately, the Volkswagen Tiguan will make for a comfortable daily driver, but you’ll pay for it. With the low-reliability rating, increased repair prices, and low towing numbers, it’s worth skipping over the Tiguan if you’re expecting to tow even infrequently.
Would you feel confident buying a vehicle that’s rated last in its class for reliability?
Need More Power: These 1/2 Ton Trucks might be a better towing option.
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