Posts
182
Joined
2/13/2015
Location
Austin, TX, USA
Towing with a VW Golf
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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
My friends Jetta
My current Rx7
Not the most practical setup, but it still gets the job done...
Due to an engine breakdown, I personnally used that setup for a while last year with my...'79 Golf!
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Small cars can absolutely pull a small light weight trailer and bike. For riding spots that arent close, I often use my Mini Cooper due to the cost of gas. 30mpg vs 13mpg in my Land Rover is a no brainer for me. Pulled a Triumph Street Triple from Minnesota back to NorCal last summer without issue. Adjust your driving and expectations to be safe. Base 4 cyl and manual transmission. My friends and I have used all kinds of small cars from from Miatas, Mazda 3, Golf, Integra's... etc etc. Some small cars with an auto or CVT transmissions might not like it, but manuals seem to be ok.
I have the MX Hauler mounted on my Land Rover. Its a 4800lb SUV and I can definitely feel my YZ out back hanging off the behind the bumper (also have a XR650 wich I have hauled on it). No way would I ever consider it safe on a small car. Even if you were able overcome your lack of capacity with the rear springs in the Golf with air bag helper springs, the short wheel base and suspension would be overwhelmed over any kind of road undulations.... let alone corners or a winding road. Simply unsafe. I'm not talking a about a minor issue.... the driving experience would be white knuckle seriously unsafe scary.
Just my experience and opinion, yours may vary. From a guy that has owned and used both forms for decades. I'd strongly suggest a small lightweight trailer. If money or space to store is an issue, consider one of the Harbor Freight trailers. Nothing like a Kendon, but a workable solution if you keep up on the maintenance of them.
With that being said the hitches for these cars are only rated to 200lbs on the tongue. I've made some steel brackets to reinforce mine but I would still be cautious with a hitch carrier. The one side of the hitch literally bolts to the sheet metal of the trunk....
Get a trailer. VW makes a helluva good car for towing (light stuff)
Remember the max tongue weight is usually 50kg or similar for small cars. So the rear carrier idea is a no no.
...you can easily tow a XR650
You could also consider a folding trailer from Harbor Freight or if you have more cash, Kendon. The Kendon stand up trailer is pretty nice. Both take up far less space when upright against a garage wall.
Living in city where garage and storage space is a premium if even available, you figure it out. Where there is a will, there is a way. Good luck!
Just picked up a 17' a few weeks ago, I'm in love !
Pit Row
I have a Kendon trailer and trailered my 950 and 450 out to colorado last year including a couple of decent passes. I would NOT do a hitch mounted carrier. I have one but wouldn't trust it on the VW. Trailer in a bag, or an older Kendon that folds up and stands in the corner is good.
Can you guess the track? '14 Ford Fiesta ST. It doesn't notice the dirt bike behind it, then again it has a turbo and 240 pounds of torque.
BTW, Harbor Freight trailer was on sale for $200, with a 25% off Easter coupon had it shipped to my house for $166 I believe. I still don't know how they made any money on that transaction...
Might be discontinued, may be some inventory left in the stores. I hear good things about the folding 8' trailer.
Ford escorts can do it
I have an old 97 golf that I put a hitch on about 15 yrs ago. I still pull my 3 rail trailer with it on occasion.
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