Club 80-90 Forums

Hi folks - a question:

Which syncro model has the best towing power?

Russell

Hi Russ.
I find my RHD Tristar has the best pulling power!*


In all honesty they all give the same grip it just comes down to power/torque of engine fitted. Of original VW options the 2.1 DJ would probably have the edge.



* for silver's benefit.

14" DJ I would say as it gives its max torque around 3000 rpm and has useful torque from 2200 rpm to 4000 rpm. Torque is what tows, not power.

KarlT wrote:
* for silver's benefit.

The Syncro is good towing vehicle, but for optimum towing ability I think upgraded engine/brakes are called for ? Last year I recovered a 2WD Westy plus a pile of syncro bits on a flatbed with the Kombi, with no issues.

I find my RHD Tristar has the best pulling power!*

maybe for a "show and shine" .

But i can get down and dirty in my camper , and its got a double bed

However on a serious note the syncro is a good towing machine my camper dragged a doka 5 hours from cork to dublin and another 1.5 to an undisclosed location to be broken and that was a 1.9 na diesel !! Would say for stock syncros a 2.1 16" would probably be the best or if your lucky enough to come across a SA syncro. I would go for the 16's or SA as they have better brakes which is where the syncro falls down compared to most modern jeeps otherwise would be advisable to upgrade to bigger brakes. As regards to conversions suppose the more popular 1.9tds or Mtdi's may have more torque than the original petrols and more economical

i oftern load my van to the max with hard wood (very heavey), i would recon well over 2 tonnes, probobly closer to 3, as said before it is the breaks are all you have to think about, i have a box standard 2.1mv on 15inch wheels. could not say about diesle, but the 2.1 dose work well.

neil

I have a boat i drag around from time to time; mainly down to Cornwall along the a30 ... a good test for any towing set up!

The old 2.1 Tristar coped well apart from the worst hills which on most it would die to 3rd gear 40mph unless you got a really good run up!

The 1.9tdi Westy does the same job marginally better as long as the turbo is kept spinning; and dont forget there is all the extra weight of the 16 Westy to consider.

I used to think that the Syncro was a good towing machine until I tried this ......



Good for 80mph on a windy day .......

Ay up,
This may be a bit techie, but according to busman...

He agrees with us!

I'd like to see the calculations for an AAZ though....

KarlT wrote: I find my RHD Tristar has the best pulling power!*
* for silver's benefit.

Don't know what you're on about... bought something recently, have you?

Thanks folks - appreciated.

T4 2.5TDi surely!