Can a 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon with Manual Transmission be Flat Towed
Updated 11/09/2015 | Published 11/07/2015
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Question:
i have a 2002 v w passat wagan 5 speed stick can i flat tow this car thanks
asked by: Mike
Helpful Expert Reply:
When it comes to flat towing a vehicle the car owner's manual is the best resource for determining if it can be flat towed at all and what preparations steps, if any, are required to ready the car for this kind of transport. In general, cars with a manual transmission are often easier to equip for flat towing than cars with an automatic transmission.
I reviewed an online edition of the owner's manual for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat wagon but it did not confirm if the car can be flat towed. Your printed manual should address this under the heading "recreational towing" which you should be able to find in the index. Some cars may require special preparation such as installation of a transmission lube pump; others may require you to go through steps to shift the transfer case into neutral. Your manual will tell you if you can flat tow and what you need to do.
Flat towing requires a number of components: base plates, tow bar, safety cables, and wiring/lighting and a supplementary braking system for the toad. You will also need a wiring harness to connect the MH and toad and may also need a high-low adapter to keep the tow bar level when connected. The linked article covers these items in detail.
As long as you do not have the 4-Motion edition you can use base plate # BX3821 from Blue Ox. The tow bar I recommend is the Blue OX Alpha # BX7380 since it includes the required safety cables and since it will attach to the base plates without need for an adapter. For a braking system you can use the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR. Magnetic tow lights like # TL21RK are a simple option for lighting that does not require cutting into the car's wiring. This kit has a 4-pole flat connector but we do have adapters if your MH uses a different type. For a high/low tow bar adapter we offer items you can see on the included link, such as # BLU34TR.
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Roadmaster Tracker Tow Bar - Coupler Style for 2" Ball - 5,000 lbs
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