Grampa Kilt from BC Canada

[whoofit]

[quote timestamp="1470330241" source="/post/23642/thread" author="@grampakilt"]I know I'm breaking my vow of silence, but...2 comments:

1. The most vociferous of detractors have not explained why Jetta's in Europe are rated to tow 1500 kg (3300 lbs) with a tongue weight of 150 kg. This is without any WD or electric brakes on the 'caravan'. I don't think one can accuse the Europeans of taking a callous attitude towards safety.

2. American child asks his father "What is a Canadian?". Father, "Well son, it's a unarmed person with free health care". The point is, sometimes I'm glad to be a Canadian. Take insurance for instance. In BC, we have only one provider for vehicle liability, a provincial (state) owned company called ICBC and every driver must have this insurance. The insurance itself is called 'no-fault'. That is, no matter who's to blame, insurance covers the accident, liability wise. If there are injuries, health care is 'free' so to speak and not really an insurance issue. If I was responsible/partly at fault for the accident, I will have to pay a higher premium, the amount depending on my driving record, but liability insurance can't be denied if I'm still allowed to drive. I understand, though, that in the case of accidents due to DUI, ICBC has the right to sue the culprit for liability payouts.


I rarely join forums but decided on this one because I appreciated the ideas it generated for my own CL and felt like giving back with a few mod posts of my own. Certainly, I never expected my TV set-up to generate such angst. So, as Forrest Gump said, "That's all I have to say about that." Really! GK[/quote]We play by the rules of our host nation. I can't explain 1/4 of what Europe does, or why, but that is political and best left to other forums. I also can think of at least 50% of people I know that have described Europe itself as overrated. As for me, I have enjoyed most of the parts I've experienced.

Ratings by nation vary based on their own rules. Austraila rate the Tacoma 1000lbs LESS than here in NA because they choose to limit the tow rating to the tow vehicle weight. Here in North America (Canada included... ) the manufacturers are the gatekeepers of those rules at the moment. This will change when J2807 is fully adopted for SUV's and cars. The manufacturers will still be able to underrate their products if they choose but I fail to see the advantage. Can you show me where the manufacturer recommends towing the numbers you are towing? These are the rules. They do not cover any safety margins. Zero safety margin built into factory tow ratings. They are absolute.

I do see where the Jetta TDI won a 2014 UK towing award for best in class within a price range while towing 85% of it's weight.

As far as not wanting to cause angst, Grampa, are you sure? Hey, I'm all for a spirited discussion, but do you really expect us to believe that?  

Either way I truly look forward to your future posts, experiences, mods...etc. The comedic side of me would say it let's us know you're still surviving the tow. The serious side wishes you well...and a larger tow vehicle. (I just had to do it)

[charliem]

It should be on a sticker on the vehicle somewhere. I thought that was mandatory.

[font size="3"]The sticker only has to have the GVWR, not the GCWR. The Gross Combined Weight Rating is determined by the TV manufacturer and usually spec'd in the manual. Apparently not always. [/font]

[whoofit]

[quote timestamp="1470337136" author="@pinstriper" source="/post/23645/thread"][quote timestamp="1470323476" author="@whoofit" source="/post/23635/thread"][/quote][/quote]It's not there. I thought it should be as well. Come to think of it the Escape didn't list it on the door either but they did have it published in the Towing Guide. Jeep just flat out doesn't publish it at all and they said as much in an email. I was careful to get the numbers in writing from them for that warm and fuzzy effect. Everything jives well with the loaded 16DB and a 12% safety margin though.

I'll still keep it local and use the F150 for the longer more demanding hauls.

[grampakilt]

I wonder if it doesn't count if I break my vow of silence again in the same 24 hour period...

Passat 2.0 DSG TDI best overall tow vehicle in 2000 KG and under class 2015  http:www.thetowcarawards.com/winners/2015

Mr. billmoore, thank you so much for your post addressing my comment #1 above. Your information jives with my research from several years ago.

Ssoooo, as I understand it (astute readers will have a pretty good idea what's coming next), in Europe ALL vehicles towing trailers (cars, lorries, the relatively rare full-size p/u) must adhere to a maximum speed of 80 KPH (50 MPH) or else! Further, they are operated by drivers with comprehensive training. And within those parameters and other strict Euro regulations, Wolfsburg engineers have submitted tow ratings of 1500 KG for models such as the Jetta and Golf.

By contrast, back in the good 'ole USofA and in my home and native land, cars towing travel trailers are considered so uncool and unsafe that it's a must to have special towing vehicles--the ubiquitous p/u or large SUV's with tow ratings often well in excess of vehicle weight, legally barreling down the road of speeds up to 80 MPH (up to 120 KPH in canuck land), all captained by drivers with non-comprehensive training.

Hmm, sweet! GK over and out.