Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 05-25-2018, 03:59 PM

Hi,

I am currently toad shopping.
I drove a stick for 15 years in Europe so ok with that.

As the toad will only be uses for rv trips looking for as cheap as possible one.

I spotted a 2006 ve passat manual fwd for sale for 2,000$.

Would I be right in saying all manual FWD cars can be flat towed?

Thanks,

Brad2018 · 05-25-2018, 04:38 PM

I've been using this website as a reference. Just select the car data and it will tell you if its possible.

Store : Remco

Bubba1 · 05-25-2018, 04:47 PM

Short answer; no. Most manual trans FWD VW's are not towable. As previous post suggested, check Remco site for tow ability of the model your looking at.

Mike H

Unicorn Driver · 05-25-2018, 05:14 PM

Thanks both,

I will use that site to check other options.

Waiter21 · 05-26-2018, 06:25 AM

Most manuals are, a few are not. Then its just the opposite for the auto, most are not, a few are..

Unicorn Driver · 05-26-2018, 06:45 AM

Thanks Waiter.

777 Driver · 05-26-2018, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stmh

Would I be right in saying all manual FWD cars can be flat towed?

All depends on the meaning of the word "can". Pretty sure that it is possible to flat tow anything...but...some of them are gonna get torn up in the process.

The very best way to be certain is to check the owner's manual for the specific vehicle that you're considering. Many of those owner's manuals are available on the vehicle manufacturer's website.

Be very careful. Some cars are towable with a certain engine/transmission and an exact same make/model/year is NOT towable with a different engine/transmission.

As an example, another thing to be careful about: a Subaru Forrester with a manual transmission model year 2015 is towable. A Subaru Forrester with a manual transmission model year 2016 is NOT towable. To the best of my knowledge, there was no change to the engine/transmission, it's just that Subaru changed the wording in the owner's manual in the 2016 model year.

So, in the case of the Subaru Forrester, is it possible to tow a 2016 with a manual transmission? Maybe it is. However, IF you ever took it back to a dealer for service on the engine/transmission and the dealer was able to demonstrate that the repair was due to damage from towing, you'll have a challenge getting that repair done under warranty.

Finally, just because you see somebody else towing a particular vehicle, don't assume that you can, too.

Take care,
Stu

Unicorn Driver · 05-26-2018, 10:41 AM

Thanks Stu,

The remco website has been very helpful. Great idea to download the specific user manuals.

Forkyfork · 05-26-2018, 10:48 AM

This website is also helpful if you are looking for a vehicle to tow. For that purpose it’s easier than Remco.

List Flat Tow Vehicles for Your Motorhome - RV Trippin

Skip426 · 05-26-2018, 11:00 AM

B-in-L had a Pontiac G-5 ? with automatic, 2002 ? , that was flat towable without a lube pump , those vehicles would be cheap by now . Base plate availability, on an older vehicle, might be an issue though.

hohenwald48 · 05-26-2018, 11:20 AM

Dinghy towing guides going back to 2000.

Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine

BirchyBoy · 05-26-2018, 12:53 PM

It’s best to look at the owners manual for cars you’re interested in. If I recall correctly, the Remco site says that my ‘17 Honda Civic manual can be towed but the owner’s manual says otherwise. The guides are good starting points but not the authority.

Unicorn Driver · 05-26-2018, 02:21 PM

Thanks both,

I will ensure to check a manual before buying anything.

RMSmithJr · 05-26-2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

All depends on the meaning of the word "can". Pretty sure that it is possible to flat tow anything...but...some of them are gonna get torn up in the process.

The very best way to be certain is to check the owner's manual for the specific vehicle that you're considering. Many of those owner's manuals are available on the vehicle manufacturer's website.

Be very careful. Some cars are towable with a certain engine/transmission and an exact same make/model/year is NOT towable with a different engine/transmission.

As an example, another thing to be careful about: a Subaru Forrester with a manual transmission model year 2015 is towable. A Subaru Forrester with a manual transmission model year 2016 is NOT towable. To the best of my knowledge, there was no change to the engine/transmission, it's just that Subaru changed the wording in the owner's manual in the 2016 model year.

So, in the case of the Subaru Forrester, is it possible to tow a 2016 with a manual transmission? Maybe it is. However, IF you ever took it back to a dealer for service on the engine/transmission and the dealer was able to demonstrate that the repair was due to damage from towing, you'll have a challenge getting that repair done under warranty.

Finally, just because you see somebody else towing a particular vehicle, don't assume that you can, too.

Take care,
Stu

I flat tow a 2015 Subaru Forester with absolutely no problem. The manual transmission is a 6F1R unit ~ fun to drive a real car again. The biggest problem was; 1. Reading the operator’s manual to my 20+ year sales guy. He then was able to source me one.

The future of RV toads may include wheels up?