[Enzeder]

Hi,
Yes I once go to the public scale to weight the trailer by itself (it was an artisanal trailer). It was dumping trailer, so it had its structure where the axle are attached AND the container on a hinge, plus the electric-hydraulic cylinder for dumping. 2 axles for 3500 lbs each, so plenty of capacity by itself. And it had plenty of brakes (electric on each axle) so it was pretty safe to drive. I mean, I could stop the load without problem and I did deliver a cord of wood at a time (so about 3000 lbs total) about 10 times per year for 8 years.

So the axle rating? I never exceed it. The tire rating? I inflate the tire to the maximal pressure allowed by the tire when going to the maximal load. The tongue and ball rating? I always use the maximal rating component I can get. But the tow rating of those old manual Honda CRV? That can be worked around with gentle driving.

(I was doing that when I was young and innocent... I don't to that anymore, I buy new toys with higher ratings!)

jf

I'm guessing you were hauling dry wood? I'm usually going the other way with green wood. For example, here's some wood from a tree that had recently fallen at work. The wood was green (oak?), so I'm assuming a cord is ~5,000 lbs. I reckon that was about a third of a cord minus some voids, so probably ~1,500 lbs or so = pretty much at the limit of the trailer. Side note, I've learned that sycamore sucks as firewood - it's so hard to split it's not worth picking up off the ground - I made that mistake once.

One of the things I'll give the ID.4 credit for is being a great tow vehicle - perfect for my needs.

 

[jflarin]

I'm guessing you were hauling dry wood? I'm usually going the other way with green wood. For example, here's some wood from a tree that had recently fallen at work. The wood was green (oak?),

Yes it is very dry wood. From the species I have, it should weight maybe 1800 lbs at most. For my friends and family I have dry lighter woods that I evaluate at about 1400 lbs.

I have yet to try to pull it with a ID4 since I have to install a brake controller. It is on my todo to get the pre-wired plug out.

Did you install any brake controller in yours?

jf

 

[Enzeder]

Yes it is very dry wood. From the species I have, it should weight maybe 1800 lbs at most. For my friends and family I have dry lighter woods that I evaluate at about 1400 lbs.

I have yet to try to pull it with a ID4 since I have to install a brake controller. It is on my todo to get the pre-wired plug out.

Did you install any brake controller in yours?

jf

No brake controller. I've yet to tow anything over 2200 lbs. And I have yet to find a utility trailer with a GVWR under 2700 lbs with brakes. So at this point a brake controller is moot.

 

[cpf]

No brake controller. I've yet to tow anything over 2200 lbs. And I have yet to find a utility trailer with a GVWR under 2700 lbs with brakes. So at this point a brake controller is moot.

I have also not found anything small with brakes…. Not that it would be cost effective, but are there places that custom make them, or are their retro fit kits? I am totally new to the idea of a trailer.

 

[jflarin]

You are tickling my curiosity. I did search a for a company building trailers sold in Canada and stumbled on this:

SINGLE AXLE STEEL SIDE UT.3K | Canada Trailers

GVWR:

2,990 lbs.

Popular Options
...
Electric Brakes

It exists... You might need to do some cross border shopping!

jf

 

[markk900]

I believe the braking requirement is a holdover from Europe where brakes are required on trailers over I think 1500lbs (edit: 750kg/1650lbs). My boat with trailer is 2150lbs and no brakes; the larger boats in that line are heavier and still no brakes.

 

[markk900]

@jflarin : my utility trailer is also rated at 2990 lbs; I would never load it that much and haul with either of our cars (Tiguan/ID.4) but it works great with “normal” loads…. Made locally (Miska)

 

[jflarin]

I believe the braking requirement is a holdover from Europe where brakes are required on trailers over I think 1500lbs (edit: 750kg/1650lbs). My boat with trailer is 2150lbs and no brakes; the larger boats in that line are heavier and still no brakes.

In Canada/USA it varies by province/state. Here is a map:

As you can see, in both country, it varies from always required to no requirement at all!
On top of that, you'd have to add the tow vehicle requirement. For the other-than-id4 vehicles I have, it's required when the trailer weight is more than 1000 lbs.

Pick-up truck (the few I checked many years ago) can tow 2000 lbs without brakes as per the truck owner manual.

jf

 

[Enzeder]

You are tickling my curiosity. I did search a for a company building trailers sold in Canada and stumbled on this:

SINGLE AXLE STEEL SIDE UT.3K | Canada Trailers

GVWR:

2,990 lbs.

Popular Options
...
Electric Brakes

It exists... You might need to do some cross border shopping!

jf

That's a nice find. The catch is I'm being picky because I hope to keep this thing for at least 20 years. I'm not getting any younger and that trailer weighs 931 lbs empty:

The load is rated at 2059 lbs, which is 239 lbs more than the Belmont trailer I'm currently leaning towards. The Belmont is only 380 lbs empty which would make maneuvering it around the yard (unhooked) much easier. Another nice thing for me is that the trailers are made in PA less than 90 mins from where I live. Note that the trailer actually comes with a plain tailgate, not a ramp.
My perfect trailer would be the Belmont with a 3.5k axle and brakes. It would weigh ~500 lbs and have a GVWR of 2990 lbs so I could comfortably haul a ton of material.

BTW, there must be some regulation about trailers with a GVWR of 3,000 lbs or more because I see a lot rated at 299x lbs.

 

[Enzeder]

If you want an interesting diversion, read the Tesla Model Y manual on towing. The Model Y can tow up to 3500 lbs regardless of brakes, but Tesla recommend brakes if the trailer GVWR is over 1650 lbs. Where it gets interesting is the table used to adjust towing capacity based on the load in the vehicle. If the MY has 20" wheels the towing capacity can vary from 3500 lbs with 3 or fewer people in the car, to 0 lbs with 6 or more people in the car. It seems that the MY tire load rating is limiting towing capacity. The assumption is that 10% of the trailer weight will be on the tongue.

While this doesn't explain the RWD vs AWD difference in the ID.4, I still think it's interesting.

 

[Enzeder]

@jflarin : my utility trailer is also rated at 2990 lbs; I would never load it that much and haul with either of our cars (Tiguan/ID.4) but it works great with “normal” loads…. Made locally (Miska)

Well, this is interesting: Miska Trailer Factory | Single Axle | 5x8 SA Aluminum

 

[markk900]

Well, this is interesting: Miska Trailer Factory | Single Axle | 5x8 SA Aluminum

That’s the one I have…. Got it with a few upgrades like a tool box and galvanized wheels….

 

[Roamer105]

So I know there are lots of threads and information on the internet that shows the ID4 RWD (2021-2024) can tow up to 2200LBS with trailer brakes, and that the AWD can do up to 2700LBS...

But why can the AWD tow more?
It has the same rear suspension as the AWD. Same brakes...
Sure it has more power than the RWD, but the 2024 with almost the same power (282hp) as the 2021-2023 AWD can't tow anymore weight than the 2021 (201HP) RWD?

If it's not the power or suspension or brakes, then what is it that limits it tow capacity?

The (< 2024) AWD has more power (about 45% more) and more traction. More importantly, the AWD has also more regenerative braking power. I should actually allow the AWD to pull about 3200 lbs but they limited to 2700 lbs for other mechanical reasons. Note that the 2024 (335 hp) is also limited to 2700 lbs

 

[cpf]

The (< 2024) AWD has more power (about 45% more) and more traction. More importantly, the AWD has also more regenerative braking power. I should actually allow the AWD to pull about 3200 lbs but they limited to 2700 lbs for other mechanical reasons. Note that the 2024 (335 hp) is also limited to 2700 lbs

not sure how regen brakes impacts since that don’t have more stopping power than friction, but yes the 24 rwd and awd should be able to tow more in the use. Below is what I posted before

Okay, after digging deeper, I found that ID.4s with the newer motors can tow more in Europe. This again highlights the inconsistent capabilities based on region.

I find it strange that the towing capacity remained the same for the first three years across all countries, and I expected a higher limit for the 2024 models with the new motor. Total guessing from me, but I would expect that the RWDs can also tow more safely, but they might be pushing folks to AWD?

US/ EUR	2021	2022	2023	2024
RWD	2200LBS (both)	2200LBS (both)	2200LBS (both)	2200LBS (both)
AWD	2700LBS (both)	2700LBS (both)	2700LBS (both)	2700LBS / 3086 LBS (US/EUR)

https://media.vw.com/assets/documents/original/16183-2023ID4TechSpecsFinalv2.pdf

ID.5 GTX (ID.5 GTX - combined power consumption 17,9-16.4 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A.)

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