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Volkswagen EuroVan
847 messages, Last post on May 22, 2012 at 7:17 PM
You are in the Volkswagen Eurovan Forum.- Your Host is kcram
What is this discussion about? Volkswagen EuroVan, Volkswagen Vanagon, Volkswagen Microbus, Van
#224 of 847 2001 EuroVan - Towing Capacity - Help...! by mthaslam
Apr 10, 2001 (7:56 pm)
To any 2000 EuroVan owners (no 2001's available yet!) need your help on towing capabilities of the EuroVan.I have always owned VWs(Golf, Jetta, Rabbit and even the Rabbit Pickup) but my second car is a Dodge Grand Caravan Mini van. Just picked up a 2001 Golf in exchange for my 1990 Jetta Now looking to exchange my Dodge for a EuroVan (2001).
According to the 2001 EuroVan Specs, it has a towing capacity of 4400 pounds, yet it only has a 2.8L V6, 201HP, 181 lb-ft torque engine (... the 2000 EuroVan has a smaller engine and less torque).
The question is: Does anyone pull a 3500 pound trailer with a 2000 EuroVan, and if so... do you find the EuroVan meeting the 4400 pound towing capacity expectations? Can you go up a hill without getting out to push..?
What I find difficult to rationalize, due to the fact that I can not find one to test drive or find someone who pulls a trailer with a Eurovan, is that the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan has a 3.8L V6, 215HP, 245 lb-ft torque engine with only a 3800 pound towing capacity. Yet, the EuroVan has 4400 pound towing capacity with a 2.8L V6, 201HP, 181 lb-ft torque engine....smaller engine, less torque but more towing capacity...?
My fear is that the EuroVan will be a great mini van, but will be disappointing when it has the trailer on the backend.
...As you can tell I need a vehicle that can tow a large trailer across country and not just on the flat roads from the dealer to my house.
...any feedback would be appreciated.....would love to stick with VW's....
P.S. My dealer tells me that the 2001 MV weekenders are packaged in Germany, and that the MV weekenders have not arrived in the USA, however the GLS and base MVs have arrived and are in Port in Houston, Texas.
As for brouchers...good luck....I have ordered three times from the VW web site...with no response....
Mark.
#225 of 847 price on a 2001 weekender w/heated seats by itchyahn3
Apr 10, 2001 (8:20 pm)
I just got quoted $29,911 for the subject vehicle, deliverable in 5weeks. How does this compare to what others are getting?
Thanks for feedback.
#226 of 847 Feedback on "Price on a 2001 weekender w/heated seats by mthaslam
Apr 10, 2001 (8:42 pm)
$29,911 is not a bad price...what city...? In Milwaukee, WI the going price is around $31,250, at least the price I have been quoted...little-to-none negotiations...that included destination fees but no title fees.... no delivery date.....#227 of 847 Towing with a Eurovan by mrnimmo
Apr 10, 2001 (10:00 pm)
>>>What I find difficult to rationalize, due to the fact that I can not find one to test drive or find someone who pulls a trailer with a Eurovan, is that the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan has a 3.8L V6, 215HP, 245 lb-ft torque engine with only a 3800 pound towing capacity. Yet, the EuroVan has 4400 pound towing capacity with a 2.8L V6, 201HP, 181 lb-ft torque engine....<<<
Funny, I wasn't aware that Caravans could tow themselves around for more than 30,000 miles without requiring new tranny. Tow with one of those? No thanks.
Seriously, there's more to towing ability than horsepower and (especially) torque. Brakes, size of the tow vehicle, coolers (tranny and engine), and many other factors all are important.
Of course, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that the manufacturers cheat a little.
Folks here seem to be considering or trying to buy Eurovans. You may be better served by talking to the folks who already own Eurovans on the list at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ev_update
Those folks may be able to tell you how well you can tow with a Eurovan.
Personally, I would try not to tow unless it was significantly less than the rated towing capacity, by that I mean half or so. Most people forget that towing capacities are listed for empty vans, yet most people tow with a van full of family members, luggage, and vacation gear. Those oversized American butts seated in your vehicle further decrease your the amount of weight you can tow behind your vehicle.
#228 of 847 Adding a Second Battery by stansibley
Apr 12, 2001 (8:32 pm)
Looks like we lost the postings from 4/11 and 4/12. No wonder the board wasn't available for awhile... feels like I'm in a time warp. At least the "Volkswagon Euro Van" thread is gone. It's hard to spell Volkswagen.One person, waiting for a 2001 Weekender, asked today (4/12) if anyone had added a second, deep-cycle or RV battery, to their MV. No, I have not. I have a 2000 EVC with second battery in place. But I'm sure it's possible, with effort and care.
J. C. Whitney (jcwhitney.com) has a "complete auxilliary battery kit" for as little as $47 (year-ago price). Does what you want to do, but it looks like it's specific to GMC and Toyota, apparently because it plugs into the alternator. Also has a "dual battery charging system," as little as $30, but the amp rating is low. I say that because my dealer has tested mine for 80 amps from the alternator to the coach battery. A discharged battery would presumably draw 80 amps, and would ruin an underrated device.
Camping World (campingworld.com) has a "Sure Power Multi-Battery Isolator" and kit. 95-amp Isolator is $38; kit is $27. Less if you join their club. campingworld.com. Maybe there's a Sure Power web site, too.
Then there's the battery box -- you probably wouldn't want the battery in the passenger compartment. The EVC places it in a separate compartment in the back, in a hermetically-sealed sturdy battery box, vented with a one-way flap through a large reinforced vinyl tube to the exterior. Probably because a charging battery, when introduced to the proper spark, will explode. I've seen this happen, and it ain't pretty. Secure the battery well, too, because a 50-pound hunk of lead should not be let loose in a high-g situation, and I hear battery plates don't take bad vibes gracefully.
Then, the wiring. 80 amps max would require a sizeable conductor, with circuit breakers/fuses at each end. I've also seen a large, red-hot conductor flaming under battery charge. Spooky, with acrid smoke. Wouldn't want that.
As far as the battery itself, the news is better. Mine came with a Trojan POJ that didn't last four months, with minimal use. The dealer eventually replaced it with an Interstate, which is faring much better, thank you -- a world of difference. Sears has had deep-cycle RV/marine batteries on sale for $53 recently, plus tax, plus exchange.
It can surely be done, but please keep safety first. A car battery is a dense package of lead and sulphuric acid, jam-packed with electrical energy, and should be given all due respect at all times. Place it wisely, secure it well, and install the charging hardware with appropriate care, and you should be okay for a long time!
#229 of 847 by zavfej
Apr 15, 2001 (1:20 pm)
Itchyahn3,That seems like a really great price.Did you get any chargte from the dealer beyond the invoice cost (listed here) and the $615 destination charge?
I got hit with approx $200 in some sort of line item that comes charged to the dealer from VWoA.
Jeff
#230 of 847 European Delivery by bhoughton
Apr 23, 2001 (1:23 pm)
Last I checked, neither WV nor Audi have a European Delivery program, although I believe that Passats (as well as non-Winnebago Eurovans) are built in Germany. I bought two Vanagon Campers on Euro delivery in the 80's and I wish that it was still possible to do so.#231 of 847 NEW EUROVANS by akarel
May 02, 2001 (10:44 pm)
I've now driven the MV, MV Weekender and Camper, all 2001's, all in Southern California. One day there were none of them...then they all showed up...and are quickly disappearing. The new engine is wonderful and very noticeably more powerful. Larger wheels and very well designed wheels, make the units (except the camper which has the most boring, lowprice looking wheels ever) look great. Driving them is a pleasure.One incredible muck is the canvas on the Weekender. While the camper canvas is light colored with giant windows on the sides and front (great views and cool breezes) the MV Weekender has dark canvas, two tiny half circle windows in the sides...and nothing at all in front. Claustrophobic and hot. I thought Westphalia was wonderful in all things and Winnebago was second best. Certainly this is not so with respect to the poptop canvas. The Winny top is wonderful, light and airy. The Westy top is dark, dank and hot. Is there any place that resews poptop canvas?
If they are still at your dealer...go try 'em. The 2001's are fine vehicles.
#232 of 847 New Eurovans by steve_ HOST
May 02, 2001 (10:51 pm)
I'd kinda like to see the 2002 Microbus Concept hit the streets
. Check out the video we've linked to in the Additional Resources box on the left sidebar. Steve
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