2 minutes ago, Gabbo said:

I'm thinking maybe a problem with the clutch position sensor/switch?

 

If you sit at idle with clutch fully depressed & slowly release the clutch pedal, the clutch switch should trigger the ECU to increase the idle speed/revs slightly to prepare the

Engine for a pull away.

 

Does your car do this? 

 

It should happen before the bite point of the clutch.

 

A modern diesel (without the caravan) should happily pull away without any accelerator pedal input just by gently feeding the clutch even on a slope as the idle controller maintains the minimum engine speed.

 

 

I'll test tomorrow. I think it does. It'll pull away with no throttle. 

4 minutes ago, Gabbo said:

I'm thinking maybe a problem with the clutch position sensor/switch?

 

If you sit at idle with clutch fully depressed & slowly release the clutch pedal, the clutch switch should trigger the ECU to increase the idle speed/revs slightly to prepare the

Engine for a pull away.

 

Does your car do this? 

 

It should happen before the bite point of the clutch.

 

A modern diesel (without the caravan) should happily pull away without any accelerator pedal input just by gently feeding the clutch even on a slope as the idle controller maintains the minimum engine speed.

 

 

 

Surely that is irrelevant, he is not trying to pull away without pressing the accelerator.

 

I think the best thing to do is to find somebody with some towing experience and get them to test drive your car with the van on and make sure you are just not expecting too much from it. I know you have experience but if the car seems otherwise OK it seems it is unlikely a fault with the car. If you pull away from standstill at 2K RPM a 100BHP golf would pull that caravan, let alone a modern 190

I bought my 2021 Superb SEL 2.0 TDI DSG 4 x 4 last October with only just over 20,000 miles on the clock. My caravan is a Bailey Unicorn Cadiz, which is around 1500 MTPLM. I've only towed it from the Dealer to my storage compound, about 15 miles on A and B roads. All I can say is that it towed very well with no problems, much better than previous vehicle, a 150 bhp Mazda CX5 diesel. I'm no mechanic, but with your mileage, worn clutch has to be the prime suspect. Good luck with sorting it, particularly if you'll be pulling it up the steep ramp on the ferry to France. I'm going to the North Yorkshire Dales in May (wife won't go to France anymore) and I have no worries about the Yorkshire gradients.

I would also assume the clutch is the main suspect. I'm going to have to get it into a garage at some point before August. My only confusion is that the clutch seems to work with no slip.