I purchased a Passat Estate 1.9tdi(130) Sport 4motion new a year ago. When I The reason I purchased it was because I needed a car with a heavy Kerb weight for towing without opting for a SUV. In the brochure it stated that the kerb weight was 1824kgs based on the vehicle weight, 90% tank of fuel and the driver (75kgs). This suited my needs and gave me the option to tow heavier loads based on the 85% towing rule so I purchased the vehicle.
I have recently increased the weight I am towing, however I have now looked in the handbook and the Kerb weight is 150Kg lighter. I have contacted VW UK and queried this and as soon as I mentioned kerb weight the telephone agent said, ?it?s not a Passat is it? We know there is incorrect info about the kerb weight?. I have searched around on the net and found a site ( www.dieselcar.com/volkswagen-frame.html ) that states that the kerb weight is as low as 1566kgs and with the 85% rule made it not a suitable car to pull my previous load.
Getting to the point where do I stand under the consumer rights act if VW UK confirm the above as I stand to loose a packet if I need to change my car to a suitable vehicle.
Yes you have probably guessed it?s a caravan
|
According to this site (figures supplied by VW)
www.clicreports.co.uk/
the 2003 model is 1749 kg
and the 2005 model is also 1749kg which are different to the figures you have been given.
Perhaps a weighbridge would help? Google search might find one near you?
|
Thanks for the reply.
You are correct in the glossy it is 1749kg, however that is without the driver. The info I have is that the true measure of kerb weight is the vehicle 90% full tank of fule and a driver (75kg) which gives the 1824kg. VW UK said that Germany calculate in a diffrent way. The handbook is different again.
|
"the 85% rule "
Don't forget that this "rule" is only advisory - especially for inexperienced towers. You should be OK up to 100% (assuming correct loading). What is the van weight? And would it make any difference if some heavy items (awning? spare wheel?, second gas bottle, water carrier? etc) were loaded in the car instead of in the van?
|
|
Yes you are correct that you can tow up to 100% of the vehicle weight and the 85% rule is a suggestion for inexperienced Towers. I would put myself in the 85% rule bracket and putting other equipment in the car would not be an option as we have a Dog which takes up the boot space and One year old that seems to need the rest of the car for toys. Even with your points in mind due to the fact that the original literature is so different form the handbook I still am in a position that I am unable to tow anything heaver than the van I have at present. The reason I paid the extra for the 4motion was due to the fact that it was a heavier car to tow with and would give me scope to change my caravan without the need of changing my car.
|
|
I think I am right in saying that there should be stated somewhere the maximum permissable towing weight of the vehicle with a) an unbraked trailer and b) a braked trailer. It would be better to use these figures.
|
|
|
£18,600was £19,500Details
£15,900was £16,300Details
£17,700was £19,050Details
£14,383was £14,714Details
