Amarock as a tow vehicle

Submitted: Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 14:06
ThreadID: 134072 Views:6047 Replies:7 FollowUps:8
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We are thinking of purchasing another vehicle which could also tow an off road van which is 320 on the ball. Any one have one? It is not going to replace the 200 series but may be used for some trips if suitable.
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Reply By: cruiser 3 - Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 15:05

Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 15:05
Hi Phill
I've had a number of Landcruisers, a Triton and a Ford Ranger.
I think all the dual cab Utes are fairly equal in there abilities now days BUT you say your ball weight is 320 so I would assume the loaded weight of the van would be over 3 tonne. I don't think any dual cab should be towing that weight!!
Ford state that my Ranger can tow 3.5 t but that would be under ideal conditions and it's when the conditions become less than ideal that we could have a very serious accident.
I am comfortable towing 2.5 t and I guess I could go as high as 2.7 but wouldn't go higher than that with mine or any dual cab.
Your Landcruiser is a bit heavier than my Ford so in my opinion it could safely tow up to 3 t.
People towing heavier vans than 3t should be looking at something like a Dodge Ram.
When I started towing the law was the loaded weight of the caravan must not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, still a very good rule of thumb to my way of thinking.
I know lots of blokes will say that they do this and that (all very Macho) but let's be realistic if you are concerned about your safety and the safety of others
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie - Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 19:05

Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 19:05
I couldn't agree more mate!!!

My Chevy has a towing capacity of 5 tonne/500kg down-weight for a "normal" trailer or I can go up to a maximum of 11.1 tonne GCM if I have a 5th wheeler.

My actual van is a 3500kg (ATM) Bushtracker that weighs around 3,350kg and has a ball weight of around 330kg.

The Chev tows it without even knowing it's on there for the most part.....but fuel economy goes up to 21L/100 (around 15L/100 without any trailer on)....maybe I should travel below 100k/h and economy would improve!

Even though it may be technically legal, I couldn't envisage towing my van with anything less than the Chevy or maybe (just maybe) a 200 Series cruiser.
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Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 15:09

Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 15:09
The specs I found on line say the max towball load for an Amarok is 300kg and max trailer mass 3000kg.

If the rule of thumb is any indication, then 320kg on the ball could represent a van ATM of 3200kg. Both those weights would appear to rule an Amarok out.
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Reply By: splits - Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 18:13

Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 18:13
Phil

It is the engine that does the towing but it is the physical dimensions and weight of the car that does the controlling. I would not be putting a van of that size behind any of the utes in that range.

VW might say it can tow 3000, 3500 kg or whatever and it can but there are a lot of things that can weigh that much that are not as big, bulky and long as a caravan. It only has to tow one of them safely and reliably in some conditions to meet VW's claims.

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Follow Up By: rocco2010 - Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 18:50

Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 18:50
I don't tow but may one day so I follow these discussions.

They often remind me of what someone said about speed limits when I was a young driver: Just because you can doesn't mean you should. And maximum is maximum, not necessarily all the time.

Cheers


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Follow Up By: Kumunara (NT) - Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017 at 14:03

Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017 at 14:03
VW overseas has a towing weight of 3.5t. In Australia it has been reduced due to the hotter climate, etc. A Caravan of that size I would look at the new V6 Amarok which has the torque to easily tow that van. It would be a lot to expect of the 2 litre. My 2 litre tows my 1.5t camper trailer with ease. If I was going to tow a large Van with a twin-cab ute I would look at the v6 Amarok, Ranger or BT50.
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Reply By: RobandFlip - Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 19:18

Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 19:18
Agree with Roachie, any van 3500 t or above should be towed with a vehicle that has the capacity to do the job with weight to spare. The heavier the van the heavier and more grunt should be the tow vehicle. Safety in spades.
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Reply By: Member - Phil H (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 20:11

Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 20:11
Thanks guys. I am only assuming the weight could go as high as that loaded. Manufacturers gvm is listed at 2640. They also advise it could be towed by a prado which I beleive would be foolish. We had discovered the amarock tow ball weight after writing this post, and have didmissed it. Will be taking the van unladen and fully laden to a public weigh bridge to get the correct weight. At this stage we are more than happy with the towing ability of the 200 series. Just reserching for an additional vehicle at present.
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Reply By: TomH - Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 20:23

Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 20:23
Also one model of the Amarok has a dual mass flywheel and I have read of people having problems with that when towing.

I believe VW are bringing out a larger engine in the near future so may be worth while keeping an eye on them.
Personally I would stick with a 200.

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Follow Up By: rocco2010 - Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 20:59

Sunday, Jan 08, 2017 at 20:59
Amarok now available with a 165kw/550nm V6 with eight speed auto at $67,990 plus on roads.
get pretty good used 200 series for that money I would think.
Cheers
http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/volkswagen-amarok-v6-ultimate-vs-ford-ranger-wildtrack-review-20170103-gtl9fi.html?trackLink=articleResults4
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Follow Up By: Paul E6 - Monday, Jan 09, 2017 at 00:16

Monday, Jan 09, 2017 at 00:16
Bear in mind that not all mechanics can work on a VW, a lot of work can only be done by a VW dealer.
Also, that are a reprehensible company who don't care about quality control or safety.
I speak from experience.
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Follow Up By: eaglefree - Monday, Jan 09, 2017 at 00:42

Monday, Jan 09, 2017 at 00:42
I owned a VW Tiguan from new. I should have done my homework

A new windscreen was outlandishly expensive. The 60,000km service cost saw me selling it before I hit 61,000km!!
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Follow Up By: RMD - Monday, Jan 09, 2017 at 15:43

Monday, Jan 09, 2017 at 15:43
4Cyl VW Amarok's are a big vehicle with a small engine. To develop the power and pull they have, the engine has to be working harder than larger engines. They will pull a large van BUT the engine runs close to it's maximum all the time.
Earlier ones towing large vans up north, ran so hot they caught fire if not slowed and idled down BEFORE stopping the rig for a cuppa. I haven't seen them but have heard of two burning while owners were enjoying their morning tea in the van.
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Follow Up By: Paul E6 - Monday, Jan 09, 2017 at 20:02

Monday, Jan 09, 2017 at 20:02
Amaroks are also cheap compared to others of its class.
VW want to be the number one car manufacturer in the world, regardless of the consequences. Yep, I'm a hater.
On the other hand, it might be a good vehicle for towing a medium size van.
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Reply By: Shmang - Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017 at 17:58

Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017 at 17:58
The below article has a good comparison of all the major players including payload adjustments due to the towing weight.

https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/why-a-3500kg-tow-rating-may-not-really-be-a-3500kg-tow-rating/

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