"Biggus_Discus" wrote in message news:UXV1b.238721$o%2.108591@sccrnsc02...
Do any of our European friends out there have any experience towing a glider
trailer with a VW Bora diesel?

Many pilots here use petrol-guzzling sport-utility vehicles to tow their
trailers. I'm trying to get some input as to whether my new VW Jetta
turbo-diesel is up to the task.

You have to keep in mind that a VW Bora sold today in Europe has a
much more advanced enging/fuel management system than the ones sold in
the good old US of A. You can only get the 90HP (67kW) engine here,
while the engines sold in Europe have either 74kW (100HP) or 96kW
(128HP) in the TDI-PD version... (PD=Pumpe-Düse or one injector pump
unit per cylinder) A quick check on the german VW site lists the
towing capacity at 1500kg (3527lbs) for trailers with a surge brake
and 600kg (1322lbs) without brake.
Also, VW-US discourages using their vehicles for towing. They will not
sell you the original VW tow hitch available in Europe.
I guess as long as your trailer has a surge brake and you are not
running up steep hills in CO, you should be fine using the Jetta.

Ulrich Neumann
Diesel Head