JeffA

Emden in NW Germany.

Yes, I'm very happy with the performance of the Superb engine and gearbox (150TDI + DSG) towing. I think the softer Superb suspension than the Insignia gives it a slightly less solid feel (I haven't got DCC) but still very manageable. It would be interesting to hear any comments from people who have towed with both Superb and Insignia, The Alko hitch stabiliser feels tight enough but I will check it again before the next tow. Thanks for the comment.

Hi Paul R T Thanks. I feel better just reading your helpful comments! Yes, I've been towing since 2003 with a variety of Vauxhalls (Astra, Vectra and Insignia) until acquiring the present Superb III in May this year now with about 2k miles on the clock. Vans used have been a Bailey Ranger 460, Bailey Pageant Monarch and the present Lunar Ultima 540 since 2015. I towed with the Insignia from 2011. We are just two. I tow with tyre pressures set to full load so on the Superb these are front 36psi and rear 43psi. The van tyres are set to the recommended 52psi. I'm using the integrated towbar and have removed the paint from the towball. The Lunar is a 'biggish' van for the Superb at 24' shipping length and there is an issue with the noseweight which without the personal allowance loaded is above 90kg. I store equipment under the fixed bed behind the van axle to achieve a noseweight of about 90kg. The back seat and boot of the car are reasonably loaded with the rest of the caravanning luggage. The point at issue is that with the same van and weight distribution, the Superb is more 'unsettled' when towing than the Insignia which I wasn't expecting. The only towing trip so far with the Superb was earlier this month from Derbyshire to Northumberland, then to North Berwick in Scotland, then near Keswick in the Lake District and then back home, about 530 miles of towing so a reasonable test of the Superb. On the next towing trip, I will try the Superb sport mode and do some redistribution of weight in the van. Thanks for the tips. Jeff A

Yes thanks for the advice unclerichy. I don't have DCC on my Superb although I do have drive mode selection! I think the mistake I made was not opting for 18" wheels which would have given a more solid ride when towing on lower profile tyres. This saved £450 , DCC would have been another £750. I have the boot pretty well loaded when caravanning. David Motton in his Practical Caravan demo found that normal mode setting of DCC was best for towing - sport mode was 'too fidgety' and comfort mode was 'too soft'. Is normal mode of DCC equivalent to the standard chassis setting of the Superb without DCC?

Yes, the answers are in there. Because of the Superb's much vaunted title as Towcar of The Year though, I expected it would be rock solid towing. The Insignia was a 2011 model. The kerbweights are published in the owner's handbook which is still viewable online.

Well, that's a surprise! Just completed my first towing trip with the Superb III and I have some stability issues. There is movement of the car from the caravan in only light winds and certainly the car's stability is affected by bow waves from articulated lorries and other vehicles. I am comparing this to my last towcar, a 2l TDI Insignia hatch manual gearbox, which was noticeably more stable towing the same caravan. I put this down to the softer suspension in the Superb plus a contribution from running on 17" wheels and the Skoda being the lighter of the two cars. The Superb is a 2l 150 TDI estate with DSG, kerbweight inc driver of 1520kg. Caravan is a Lunar Ultima 540 single axle with a MTPLM of 1435kg. The Insignia had a kerbweight inc driver of 1613kg and 18" wheels. No problems with the performance of the engine and DSG when towing. Handled the extra weight with ease including much running in 6th gear and averaged about 30mpg on a trip from Derbyshire to Northumberland. David Motton of Practical Caravan had no stability problems in his test of a similar Superb model published on YouTube 0n 29 March 2016 albeit with a caravan 110kg lighter. Anybody else have stability issues?

Yes, the postcode you quoted is Skoda Chesterfield. I've just taken delivery of a new Superb SE 150 DSG Estate from there (22nd May) and can recommend them. Good deal, delivery on time and good handover! Good luck with your journey and purchase!

Superb SE 2.0 TDI 150 DSG Estate ordered from dealer 27th February. Quartz grey with Amundsen sat nav, integrated tow bar, power boot opening and closing, drive mode selection and temporary spare wheel. Build week 18 (next week!) Expect to collect from dealer mid/late May.