Tow 2016-2017 Volkswagen GTI four wheels down?

[bd041556]

I would like to buy a new 2016 or 2017 6-speed manual transmission Volkswagen GTI to use as a four wheel down dinghy. Blue Ox does makes a base plate for it, but it doesn't appear in the FMCA guide (no VW does). Remco says that it must be towed on a dolly.

VW says not to do it, but I know that there are RV'ers that are successfully towing manual transmission BMW Mini's, and that is also not recommended by the manufacturer.

In internet searches, I have come across one person on RV.net who said that he had set his 2016 6-speed GTI up to tow, but he never followed up with an indication of how it went. Some posters who are familiar with the transmission design opined that it wouldn't hurt the transmission, which seems like the most likely to be damaged part.

So, if you have first-hand experience with towing a 6-speed manual transmission VW GTI, or any late-model manual transmission VW, please speak up. For that matter, if you have talked to or seen anyone doing that, please also speak up.

Thanks!
Barry

[BFlinn181]

I don't have first hand knowledge of towing a VW 6 speed, but I do tow a 5 speed TDI. There are folks on the forum that have asked this question before, you can use the search function with the Google label at the top right side of the page. I know there are some who have towed a 6 speed manual VW.

One thing to think about, if you're buying a new VW, putting the base plate on might cause them to not support your warranty since they don't authorize the car for 4 down towing. You might be better off buying an older model that's not under warranty to use as a toad.