Mk2 Scirocco 1.6 GT Tow Capacity ??

[scratchfree]

Does anyone know the towing capacity of this 1986 1.6 GT ? Also can anyone recommend best way or type of tow bar for the car ?

Regards
James

[james butler]

I got a tow bar fitted on mine that uses the bumper bracket holes in the body of the car.
I don't tow any more than 200kg with it because of how bad the brakes are stopping the car as it is.
So good for taking a trailer to the dump, I wouldn't like to tow much more than that.
The other issue is licence type.
I heard if you passed your test after 2012 you can't tow anything anymore.
On my licence I can tow as long as the combo trailer and vehicle does not exceed 3.5 tonne and the trailer doesn't exceed 50% of the tow vehicle or exceed tow vehicles max capacity where stated.

[james butler]

This one is the one to have and is for sale
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18235

[scratchfree]

Thanks for that, I have posted a message on that page. I have installed new brakes and lines all round my scirocco, view my build thread viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10616&start=165. I passed my test 2004 so think I qualify for the 750kg towing. My plan is to pull a vintage small caravan there meant to be about 650kg.

Regards

[the edmundator]

Go to driversfound.com and look in the history section, all the brochures are available and probably have things like towing weights in the specs.

[james butler]

itys funny you bring that up ed i was just about to suggest it.
i had a look at this a while back and the .gov website but both have differnet restrictions for towing different things.
there are differnet length and weight restrictions for towing goods compared to towing a caravan.
so you should be fine towing the caravan as long as its braked and not twice as long as the car.
i towed another scirocco once with a rigid bar and when braking caused the whole thing to jacknife, that is the only thing i would be worried about, not being able to stop.
but try it and see what happens when you do a estop with the caravan on it, see if it can bring it all to a safe stop and doesnt make you skid.
one more thing dont tow with lowered suspnsion! mine scrapes the floor with too much weight in the trailer

i always wanted one of those teardrop caravans but they are so expensive!
maybe my next build thread!

[the edmundator]

NB - I checked and the 1.6 GT towing capacity is 1000kg braked trailer and 440kg unbraked. So as long as your caravan is braked, you should be fine (but probably quite slow).

[james butler]

NB - I checked and the 1.6 GT towing capacity is 1000kg braked trailer and 440kg unbraked. So as long as your caravan is braked, you should be fine (but probably quite slow).

haha not so fast this time ed beat ya to it

[the edmundator]

Sorry, I don't see where you've written the towing weight limits for a 1.6GT.

[james butler]

actually thinking about it i didn't realise your car was auto!
you might find the towing capacity may be slightly lower on account of what ed said about it being a bit slow.
depends but flat out towing 1000kg braked you may be lucky to get steady 60mph.
then again its not like you can burn out the clutch is it?

nice build thread by the way that car of yours is immaculate

[james butler]

Sorry, I don't see where you've written the towing weight limits for a 1.6GT.

ahhhhh thought i did
my bad

[james butler]

when i checked the specs and it says the curb weight is 855kg for the mk2 gt
i thought point blank you cant tow anything (braked or unbraked) that exceeds the curb weight of the vehicle?
hence why towing the other scirocco caused me to jackknife under braking

[the edmundator]

You can if you have a pre'97 licence or a towing licence thereafter. Sadly for me, I passed my test about four months after they changed the rules.

[scratchfree]

I'm confused now ha, can it tow a 600-800kg caravan braked..

[the edmundator]

Yes!