Hi 

 

Just towed a trailer for the first time in my 2.0tdi 190. I have to say I am dissapointed. It feels lacking in power and hill starts I really had to rev it and slip the clutch to avoid it stalling when pulling away. 

 

I was was towing a small daxara 148 trailer probably no more than 350kg, 2 passengers and a boot full of stuff. 

 

Did the basics. Ensured fluid were all on max inflated tyres to correct psi. Just felt weak. Suppose its subjective but I've read that these pull large caravans no problems. 

 

Didn't feel like the clutch was slipping. Just had no oomph. 

 

Any ideas of what could be the problem. Car runs smooth. No odd sounds or anything. 

 

Thanks

Adrian. 

A 190 diesel should have no problem towing 350kgeven with 2 passenger and a boot load, and if you usually have that load then just adding a 350kg loaded trailer shouldn't make any difference. BUT as 350kg trailer is equivalent of 3-4 extra people, and if the 2 passengers are large and the boot full of lead/gold/uranium/heavy stuff AND you usually run solo then you might notice a difference. You might also check that the trailer wheels spin nice and freely off the ground - though I think it's an unbraked trailer so shouldn't be an issue.

 

190's are indeed rated to restart quite heavily ballasted flat bed trailers up a slight hill, but that figure is more to do with traction (so 4x4 is best) than the safe towing of a huge sail area/wind catching caravans - not that this applies with a small trailer.

The trailer is unbaked and rolls fine in my garage and front garden at home. 

 

The 2 passengers are my wife and my 2 year old son. 

 

And as for the load in the boat its just camping equipment. Although a boot full of gold sounds good. 

 

Any ideas of what could be wrong. Could it be clutch given it does not seem to be slipping or is it possible the car can lack power but run OK in terms of it starts stops and goes in a seemi gly normal manner. It just seems to be missing something. 

 

Thanks for your reply 

Adrian. 

Hi,

Simple question, was the Auto Hold button ON, when you tried to make your hill start with your trailer?

It may generate an additional resistance.  Possible explanation for stalling... 

I´ve modified the setting of the Auto Hold with my VCDS cable to enable restart with less rev. It’s much smoother now. Though I don’t tow at all, I assume it could help. 🤔

Yes the auto hold was turned on in terms of the system was active but the car was being held in the hand brake so the red parking brake light was lit on the dash not the green.