Basically it all comes down to this.

FWD is easier to lose traction as it is. Why you would even consider pulling an 18 footer with your FWD VW Hatchback is beyond me. You'd have a fun time getting up the ramp with that much weight dragging you down in the rear, especially on a wet concrete surface.

Your best bet is either to get a cheap SUV/truck or just don't get a boat at all.

 

hahahah it's a fucking VW you cant pull anything with a VW...i crack up everytime i see this thread title..

 

I'm thinking John boat or something along those lines....if this guy is thinking of something bigger, than traction will definately own him. A decent boat would drag the car down the ramp with the brakes on....nevermind pulling it out/putting it in.

 

i agree with most of what you said...but the back half of my car weighs 2500lbs..


his car weighs close to 2 tons... (well the vr6's do) the 1.8t's are just a little bit lighter..

 

Not even close to 2 tons....... a quick search on edmunds tells me 2,934lbs.

I recently towed a large enclosed trailer for a short trip with my Saabaru wagon. The trailer was probably close to 2,500lbs(2,000 rating on my car), my car has MUCH more HP+torque than your VW(255hp 260ish TQ) and tips the scales around 3,250lbs. With the engine and AWD drivetrain braking +brakes stopping wasn't THAT bad, but getting that thing moving from a stop with a manual was tough w/o toasting the clutch. After 15mph I could tug it along OK. Could I have pulled something that heavy up a boatramp ? I highly doubt it.

If these guys are right on there 2,500lb estimate, sorry but you have NO prayer of pulling it with a GTI much less stopping it.

Besides, FWD sucks for towing, you want RWD or AWD/4WD....typically a manual tranny sucks for towing unless the tow rig has plenty of grunt to move the trailer with ease. You have both going against you on top of the obvious weight problems.

Step 1: Find out weight of boat with all fluids + trailer weight.

If you attempt this please post the days and route so we can steer clear of that part of town

said trailer I towed.......roughly 14 ft long + tongue and 6-7 feet wide, almost 8 feet tall

 

alright, Ill just use a friends tuck..you must be crazy if im going to buy a old POS truck just to tow a boat...The only reason I made this thread is because some redneck kept telling me I can town a 18' boat with my car, and i listen to him in shock....In my mind There was no way I was going to even tow a jetski.....the whole wet concrete thing was already in my mind.I kept seeing my car being pulled into the water..But i figured Id ask the TR crew...So its a friends truck or a marina...

Kill the thread or just laugh a little bit longer..

 

We are just glad you didn't listen to the redneck

 

Uh... why would I be crazy? It's obvious towing a boat is important to you so why WOULDN'T you buy something to tow it with? lol I sure as heck know I'd get pretty aggrivated because my friend wanted to use my truck every week

 

I thought this was relatively appropriate.