Diesel Cars

[MontereyDave]

There are many differences like springs, brakes, tires, ect on SUV's versus your little wagon. Also, here versus Europe, we have stricter tow rating regulations like stopping distances, start stop on a grade, acceleration time, ect.

Just because its done does not make it right.

Any idea on mpg pulling a load like that? Say its 24 mpg and a good SUV could do 12 mpg for argument sake. Lets say its a 3000 mile round trip your savings would be $500 based on $4 per gallon fuel. Not enough to warrant the extra ware on a vehicle not up to the task.

Chris

I understand what you're saying and it seems rational on the surface. Truck based SUVs are definitely leaps and bounds more capable than 8-cyl 4,000 lb sedans (like my Passat). Most SUVs used to be built on truck chassis regardless of their size i.e. a 1990s Kia Sportage was small by US standards and even though it had a 4-cylinder it was darn near as capable as a Jeep CJ-7 because it was built on a truck chassis. But then all automakers finally starting building SUVs on car chassis because most buyers use them like yesteryear's stationwagons and rarely take them off road or pull a load with them. It was evident as night and day 10-years ago when I bought a Mercedes ML430 - everything about it felt heavy duty sitting still or while in motion in stark contrast to its rival from Lexus, the RX300/RX330 which was built on a Camry chassis. It felt smooth, quiet, light, and nimble just like a Japanese sedan and it got better fuel economy than the ML as a result all of which please most luxury SUV buyers so ultimately Mercedes made the change too and starting in 2006 the ML is built on the E-Class chassis.

Insofar as the affect on MPG efficiency you mention while pulling a load - my goal is to pull a 2000~2500 lb entry level lightweight camping trailer just barely beyond the maximum allowed with a Class I. With 275 HP and 370 lb ft torque coupled with AWD in my 4,000 lb sedan with a 6-speed MT I can't see my car straining any worse than car-based SUVs (most of which weight about the same, have 3.0L V6 with AT and possibly AWD). Afterall that European magazine article stated Passat and Golf are class-leading excellent tow vehicles with trailer up to 1,724 KG (3,800 pounds).

Volkswagen Passat Estate Wins 2007 Towcar Awards | Towing And Hauling Blog & Discussions at Truck Trend Magazine

 

[rsewill]

Does the trailer have brakes?

No. And it was a rental.

Like I said. I was way overweight for the car but the trailer itself had the capacity And I drove slower than everyone else on the road so stopping wasn't of great concern. As a truck driver I am used to needing greater distances to stop and drive my car the same way.

 

[tcartwri]

In New Zealand the farmers were pulling two horse trailers with sedans and wagons the size and weight of a jetta. Only in NA do we need 1 ton diesel pickups to pull the same load....

 

[ultrarunner]

In New Zealand the farmers were pulling two horse trailers with sedans and wagons the size and weight of a jetta. Only in NA do we need 1 ton diesel pickups to pull the same load....

There is some truth to this...

Even back in the 60's you would see passenger cars pulling airstream trailers and horse trailers...

I used my Plymouth Valiant to pull one yard cement buggies to do many a job... we made do with what we had.

Just talked to a friend that paid the US equivalent of $8.40 a gallon to fill up in Europe...

More than 50% of the BMW production is Diesel in Europe.

I have to say I really enjoy the small diesels... great pulling power through the mountains and starting out in first gear seldom requires any revving of the engine...

Lots of Golfs pulling camping trailers down the autobahn to Italy and Croatia...