Medium sized hatches as tow cars?

[nick997]

Anybody any experience of towing track cars with medium sized hatches, specifically a Golf GTi or 130i? Track car in question is 500kg, trailer 400kg so all up weight with fuel cans and spare wheels just under the 1000kg. Golf is rated to 1400kg, BMW to 1200kg so both should be fine but interested in hearing real life experience before taking the plunge, bored to pieces with the current barge and not out often enough in the track car to get all speed cravings from that.

Nick

[Cuzza]

Some of the guys I race with (Caterhams so similar situation to yours) tow with Golfs and Leons and don't seem to have any problems - I think most of the use TDIs though.

I use a Passat but that's so I can chuck loads of bits in there easily.

[crofty1984]

nick997 said:

Anybody any experience of towing track cars with medium sized hatches, specifically a Golf GTi or 130i? Track car in question is 500kg, trailer 400kg so all up weight with fuel cans and spare wheels just under the 1000kg. Golf is rated to 1400kg, BMW to 1200kg so both should be fine but interested in hearing real life experience before taking the plunge, bored to pieces with the current barge and not out often enough in the track car to get all speed cravings from that.

Nick

Yup! 850 quid 1.9 TD (not TDI) mark 3 golf! With similar weights to yours. Though I think my engine's about 80-90HP. and I have the car loaded up with either 2 extra people and/or my racing kit.

You can do it, just be slow and steady. Of course you'll have to ride the clutch a little more from standstill, but not much more, and gear-to gear it's the same as usual. Also don't THINK about short-shifting. My engine day to day runs about 1/4 of the dial temperature wise, it's about half way when I tow.

You should be fine, just watch the temperature and use all the gears properly and plan well ahead at roundabouts/anytime you need to brake. Also you can sleep in them, but there's a ridge between where the seat hinges and the boot floor. Hopefully next year I get the luxury of a van!

[racingsnake]

I use the wifes 1.4 Mercedes A Class without any problems to tow a 500kg BEC Fury.

[nick997]

Thanks guys, sounds feasible then. 120d is also an option but perhaps slightly not as interesting as the other two but diesel torque possibly better for towing.

1.4 A-class sounds like your pushing it a bit though!

Nick

Edited by nick997 on Tuesday 8th April 13:03

[racingsnake]

It's really ok mate, it's a long wheelbase one so more stable than the shorty, but pulls fine.
I was worried at first but it's fine, we pull a small single axle trailer which we hire for £35 per day.
I take the back seats out and take a set of slicks, all our tools, and 2 Jerry cans of V Power!
Cruises at 70 on the motorway.

[racingsnake]

Dada!

[nick997]

We used to have one, exactly the same 1.4 LWB but auto. Used to struggle a bit on motorways but perhaps more down to the auto box. I never even considered it for towing my kart trailer let alone the Radical. Big inside though so I bet you get all the gear in there ok.

[castrolcraig]

volvo 440 td, mega tow car

(shamelss plug, also for sale)

[RMac]

no probs. I used a pug 306 diesel for a couple of years, the hdi was better than the older d-turbo but neither had more than 90 bhp. Good enough to get some points on your license. A golf tdi/gti would be a great tow car.

[sniff petrol]

A mate tows his Tiger (7 replica) so an all up weight of a tonne with his MK4 Golf TDi 130bhp and doesn't report any problems.

[jasonxr2racer]

I tow my XR2 Racer on a Woodford single axle trailer with My P-reg Vectra Di.

No probs really.

A bit sluggish setting off on hills but once your on the motorway it's great and good on juice too!!!