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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.8 V6 4-Motion aut.
Fleetwood Heritage 640-EB TA

Fleetwood
Performance
Weight

The Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.8 V6 4-Motion aut. with a Fleetwood Heritage 640-EB TA with an actual weight of 1675 kg is in general a good match and suitable for all journeys on all kinds of roads.

The motor preformance of the Volkswagen is in general good. But the weight of the Fleetwood with a normally distributed User Payload (200 kg in the caravan and 200 kg in the car including passengers), is heavy. Try to move luggage from the caravan to the car and drive not too fast. Remember to load your caravan correctly, insuring that the noseweight of the caravan is sufficient and the weight is distributed properly. But even so, a starting caravan driver is better off choosing a smaller and less heavy caravan!

Flat roads
Towing Performance
246
234

Mountains
Risk of snaking
279
108

Weight ratio: 86% (95% of kerbweight) 1675 kg 1959 kg

Payloads

Specify the User Payload in the car (including all passengers) and caravan:

Car
Caravan




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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.8 V6 4-Motion aut.
Fleetwood Heritage 640-EB TA

Fleetwood

Actual Weights

Performance

 

Weight

  • The towing limit of the Volkswagen is sufficient (check this in your vehicle documents).
  • If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997, you will need a B+E (or B96) driving license.
  • Weight ratio between the laden caravan and the loaded car is 86%. Common in the UK: the weight ratio between the laden caravan and the kerbweight of the car is 95%.
  • The risk of snaking at higher speeds, strong side winds and thoughtless driving is great. Even if the combination normally feels stable, the forces by deflection side to side are so great that it could be dangerous. Only if the driver has a lot of knowledge and experience in driving a caravan it should be safe to drive slowly. Proper and careful loading is essential! An electronic stability system in the car and / or on the caravan is definitely recommended.
  • Recommended noseweight is 90 kg.
  • Safe speed up to 56 mph (90 km/h).
  • Stability and safety score to compare is 108 points.

If the caravan starts to snake you should reduce your speed and slow down directly! Lift your feet off the accelerator and brake gradually. Hold the steering wheel into a fixed position.

Conclusion

  • Performance is good.
  • Proper and careful loading is essential!
  • It's a perfect match!

 

Influence of User Payload on stability

Weight distribution and noseweight are vital in obtaining a stable caravan.

Distribute the User Payload by yourself in the caravan and the car and then find out the stability rating of your loading configuration.

More information

More detailed information and specifically calculated top speeds and performance of this outfit.


Specifications

Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.8 V6 4-Motion aut.
2000-2005

Power
193 PS (142 kW)
Torque
280 Nm @ 3200 rpm
Kerbweight
kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
kg
Towing limit
kg
Towball limit
kg
Gross Train Weight (GTW)
kg

Fleetwood Heritage 640-EB TA

Mass in Running Order (MIRO)
kg
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM)
kg


User Reviews

limecc reviewed a Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.8 V6 4-Motion aut.:

"I agree with the other reviewer here that four wheel drive is a MUST for towing. When you have had it you would find it very difficult to go back to slipping and sliding on icy roads or a muddy field.

Anyway, my Passat also has an LPG conversion, and it's just as well because towing the Fleetwood makes the economy dip to as low as 15mpg, but in price terms its still quite good (=30mpg). I'm towing at 93% and have checked the car and van several times on a local weighbridge to make sure and this was confirmed. Towing wise its far more stable than my old 1500kg single axle van, as you would expect from a twin axle, and I don't have to be so fussy about nose weight anymore. The only point of concern for me is worry about the gearbox overheating in the summer, so I will be having the OEM transmission cooler uprated soon.

The car has plenty of power on the motorways, but don't expect the same acceleration from roundabouts and traffic lights with a heavy van. This is the most noticeable thing, apart from the welcome extra stability from the second axle. This is a great towcar, but people do give you a few looks as they expect to see a huge 4x4 towing a van of this size. (Maybe it's in my head or they like the van!)"

See more Volkswagen Passat reviews.

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