VW Tiguan

[efelker]

I am considering a 550 Ultra. Anyone out there towing with a Tiguan? Did you order your CI with electric brakes? Are they needed with a Tiguan? I know there is an expensive computer module for trailer wiring that you need from VW and then the CPU and the Tow Module must be reprogrammed -- did you have any problems with the CI's LED lights with the VW wiring module? Finally, how did you wire the brake controller & pwer back to the 7-pin?

 

[Mick'nSarah]

Welcome to the forum!

I drive a BMW (which I usually tow with now) and have towed our trailer with a Land Rover and a Toyota FJ. With the Land Rover and my BMW, I just got a converter that helped with the LED lights and the Auto-on lights. I didn't have it during my towing home, so my lights were flashing for 2500 miles (I figured it kept people a little further off my tail – HA!), but it was a pretty quick fix. I didn't have to do anything with the CPU, so I am not sure if that is VW specific, but when we met up with Craig, he said the imports (especially European) required the converter.

As for the trailer brakes, there was just a post about that, and it seems most people (including us) said they would always recommend getting the brakes. Some states require them, so you might look into that. We have all been thinking better safe than sorry, and it takes a lot of worry out of the trips. Those trips are supposed to be fun, right?! We have the brakes and have not regretted it.

http://www.campinnforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=11663&page=1

 

[efelker]

Thanks Sarah.

This is VW (and Audi) unique. The VW wiring that you install has more than a converter box on it. It has integrated circuitry and is a mini-computer from what I can tell and the VW folks have to do some reprogramming in the CPU that reprogram the CPU and this towing wire harness's module.. It actually does some engine reprogramming, enables a towing subroutine that programs the box for lights etc, and turns on a sway control feature in the CPU that works with the VW's 4-Motion All Wheel Drive/ Electronic Stability Control/ and ABS to sense sway and adjust torque and braking to individual wheels to conpensate for the sway. This wire harness from VW runs about $400 and buying an after market does not work the same as the VW OEM part.

I was on a VW forum and someone said after they had their Tiguan re-programmed the trailer brake lights didn't work. The first question someone asked was if they were LED lights.

I wanted to see if anyone on this forum had Tiguan experience. Because the Tiguan is a "different electronic animal" I was also considering a Tekonsha's "wireless RF" brake controller so that I didn't have to cope with wiring in a brake controller and interferring with the Tiguan's electrics.

 

[Mick'nSarah]

I know there are some folks on here that tow with VW, but not sure which models, so when they see your post, I am sure they will respond. Folks here are very friendly and helpful! I have the all wheel drive on my wagon, but it isnt as complex, it sounds, as the Tiguan. Those are pretty nice little cars. I sat in one last weekend at the Auto show.

Good luck on finding the info you need and on your possible purchase. We have the 560, and are in love with it. Fantastic trailers and have made our camping a great experience again!

 

[Cary Winch]

Ed,

That Tiguan is a neat vehicle. Just did some research on it. We haven't seen one come here to pickup a trailer yet so I don't believe any of our customers are towing with one yet.

I do know however the VWs are very sensitive to how they are wired. Because the European cars use a totally different trailer wiring schematic there are some unusual grounding points and power locations used. VW pulls these points differently than some of the other manufacturers. This is why the factory convertor is so important. I seen some custom wiring installs cause problems for VW owners so I can safely recommend not doing a custom install, or probably even a aftermarket setup.

There are other manufacturers with similar issues. Saabs come to mind. They have a trailering computer in the trunk to handle these duties. From experience I can tell you that computer is $800, yikes!

Brakes? Brakes of course area always a good idea. I did not find anything in my research to say that you need brakes to fully utilize the 2200lb towing capacity the Tiguan has. You may want to do more digging to see if there is a braking requirement to accomplish this. If not, then brakes wouldn't be a necessity with that good of a tow rating and you could opt out of getting brakes. Would be your choice. The RF brake controller does work nice by the way. It is a big bulky box mounted on the trailer is the big downside. Otherwise it is fantastic. Completely solves the whole wiring the brake controller to the vehicle problem if you have one with sressfull vehicle wiring to deal with.

Cary

 

[efelker]

Cary:

Great - thanks for the info. Been lurking here for a while and it is obvious from all the owners comments that you folks build (and continue to service and improve) a great product. Next adventure will be convincing the wife to part with my ... I mean our ... cash to buy one.

I was thinking about no brakes because the Tiguan should be more than enough. Was playing on the safe side and would probably do the brakes just for the extra safety.

 

[Evan]

Ed, have you had your wife look at one yet? That usually does the trick. If it doesn't take her tent camping once after looking at one.

If you haven't seen one yet, check out the map - should show you an owner that is nearby. Or, better yet, call Cary and he'll hook you up. There are lots of owners that haven't made it onto the map yet.

 

[efelker]

Thanks Evan -- were it only so easy. First of all she would like a camper with kitchen and dry bath, but I'm not thrilled about towing something that big. If I can convince her a shower tent and portable propane water heater and a PETT is just as luxurious, then I'll be able to get to the next step.

Although she may not have the first dollar she ever earned, she does have the change from it. Getting her to part with money is a daunting task.

We are retiring full-time this fall and we want to hit the road and camp. I'm a retired Col from the AF (2005) and have been working for a defense contractor since. We spent many years when we were younger and before our kids were grown and married tent camping. We've narrowed down replacing our 2006 Forester with either another Forester, an Outback (6 cyl) or the Tiguan. Given those Tow Vehicle capacities I'm convinced the Camp-Inn is the way to go.

I've spent a lot of time comparing the small Trailmanor, the Livin' Lite all aluminum travel trailer, and the Camp-inn. I am partial to the simplicity of the Camp-inn and the quality and appearance are amazing.

I have lots of time to wear her down...

 

[KathyBob]

Your post brought back many similar processes that Kathy and I went through.I looked at the same trailers and finally opted for the Camp-Inn based on simplicity and quality.Kathy isn't particularly frugal ( I have that honor )but has a interesting sense of humor. So when she gave me a model of a teardrop with a car towing it for Christmas one year and said that was as close as we were getting to owning a teardrop I knew I had my work cut out for me. It took years but stopping at the factory was the tipping point.Good Luck

 

[KathyBob]

So now it's my turn. Bob's right, I had to be convinced. In terms of frugality, I am less frugal than Bob but do not believe in being penny wise, pound foolish. Now that we have the teardrop and drove it around the country, I'm the more eager to plan the next trip! I get such a kick out of the uniqueness of the teardrop - and how it forces one to be organized AND make studied decisions about what is taken on the trip.

 

[efelker]

Good comments all -- my wife is a minimalist, so if we ever get one I know all we'll have packed will be 2 multi purpose swiss army knives, 2 paper plates (that we'll repaetedly rinse, and one toothbrush (to share). She is so organized she constantly checks my sock and underware drawer to ensure it meets the highest military inspection standards.

Seriously, some of the best times we had together was tent camping when the kids were young. I'm sure when she sees a CI in person, she'll be hard pressed to keep a tight grip on the wallet.

 

[starlight]

LOL. My husband is the minimalist and the penny-wise person in the family. My brother jokes that Ivan will be reincarnated as a coupon in his second life. He's also 6'4" and brushed off the idea of a teardrop until he saw it in person. Aside from the pure beauty, the big kitchen, the simplicity and the low impact on mpg were big selling points. It also keeps me from packing the kitchen sink. We don't regret getting it!

Best of luck!
Stelena