Question for caravanner’s with an Octavia Estate 4x4 or Scout.

[Yorkshire]

Hope this makes sense; does the Haldex 4x4 system work as well in reverse gear, as it does in forward gears?

I understand how the Haldex system works with normal driving, you get some wheel spin on the front wheels and power is then transferred to the rear wheels. However, when reversing with a caravan, on to a pitch on a muddy / wet field (rallies), does the 4x4 system still kick in? With my C5 the front wheels spin with no traction at all, so will the Haldex put more power to the rear wheels in reverse to get traction, especially if trying to get a caravan wheel up on to a levelling ramp.]

:wonder:

Edited 19 July, 2011 by Yorkshire

[silver1011]

Yes, I have a Scout and have seen the rear wheels spinning in the snow when reversing

[skomaz]

Yes, I have a Scout and have seen the rear wheels spinning in the snow when reversing

Same here with a non-scout 4x4 - In the recent bad winters I've reversed up our driveway (relatively steep) and had the front wheels start to spin, the backs start to work and it then sail up backwards.

[Normcall]

What you can't do is lock the axles - but then, neither does the Subaru and I've not got stuck in either of vehicles with or without a caravan on the back.

[Pud]

Hope this makes sense; does the Haldex 4x4 system work as well in reverse gear, as it does in forward gears?

I understand how the Haldex system works with normal driving, you get some wheel spin on the front wheels and power is then transferred to the rear wheels. However, when reversing with a caravan, on to a pitch on a muddy / wet field (rallies), does the 4x4 system still kick in? With my C5 the front wheels spin with no traction at all, so will the Haldex put more power to the rear wheels in reverse to get traction, especially if trying to get a caravan wheel up on to a levelling ramp.]

:wonder:

[Pud]

I had a 4X4 Octavia 2.0 TDi, towed a caravan for three years. Excellent tow car but my dealer did warn me that reversing the car with a caravan on the back was the quickest way to wear your DMF especially reversing up hill. After 3 years use, only 30K kilometres, it was beginning to chatter a bit and a bit of judder on reverse. I traded it for another vehicle, the DMF on a 4X4 is dearer than the standard car. I think the problem is the heat caused by slipping the clutch in reverse, something you cannot really avoid in those situations.

[mellyboy]

I had a 4X4 Octavia 2.0 TDi, towed a caravan for three years. Excellent tow car but my dealer did warn me that reversing the car with a caravan on the back was the quickest way to wear your DMF especially reversing up hill. After 3 years use, only 30K kilometres, it was beginning to chatter a bit and a bit of judder on reverse. I traded it for another vehicle, the DMF on a 4X4 is dearer than the standard car. I think the problem is the heat caused by slipping the clutch in reverse, something you cannot really avoid in those situations.

Easy fix get a motor mover for your van, coming down in price now.

[Normcall]

Caravan without a motor mover makes life very difficult.

We have to have one as the van is parked on our drive - up a slope and turn through a right angle.

Perfect for taking van to car for hitching up, easy on the clutch (if only the 1.8 TSI was auto!!) and accurate!

[speedy_gonzales]

Caravan without a motor mover makes life very difficult.

We have to have one as the van is parked on our drive - up a slope and turn through a right angle.

Perfect for taking van to car for hitching up, easy on the clutch (if only the 1.8 TSI was auto!!) and accurate!

Normcall, how do you find the TSI when it comes to towing?

Obviously most folk opt for the diesel if they are regular luggers but I couldn't justify a diesel either for price or for miles covered. So, I have my recently purchased petrol Scout and am wondering how suitable it is for towing, AND, as I'm a complete novice what kind of caravans I should be looking at given the limits on weight etc?

I know there are specialist caravan forums out there but would like to hear the opinion of a fellow Scout owner.

[London Les]

Have a look at @ http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/194320-scout-18-tsi-towing-weight/

[patrolman]

Normcall, how do you find the TSI when it comes to towing?

Obviously most folk opt for the diesel if they are regular luggers but I couldn't justify a diesel either for price or for miles covered. So, I have my recently purchased petrol Scout and am wondering how suitable it is for towing, AND, as I'm a complete novice what kind of caravans I should be looking at given the limits on weight etc?

I know there are specialist caravan forums out there but would like to hear the opinion of a fellow Scout owner.

Hi Itow a 1300 kg caravan and i have no problems ,the only fault I have found is the rear springs are a bit soft and I would recomend MAD helper springs,

I allways use a mover I just think its beter on the cluch ,

Have a look at this site http://www.whattowcar.com/

Edited 22 July, 2011 by patrol man

[Phosphoric]

I tow with a 1.8 TSI. Just come back from a 150 mile round trip and achieved 27mpg. My van is very small though, probably weighs in just over 1000kg.

I also use a mover, mainly to get in to my back garden but it's also very useful on site for manoeuvring up levelling ramps and also hitching up when I'm on my own.

[vulcan]

Hi everyone,

Must admit always try not to reverse when van is on, having said that returning home I have to back up curb ramp and a slope at home but always try to make sure van is going backwards before going up curb, if going on levelling ramps I go well back and pull forward over ramps that way your not working against brakes, as even though brake should come off when you go backwards, it takes quite a bit of effort from tow car to achieve that.

[Anddenton]

Yes, I have a Scout and have seen the rear wheels spinning in the snow when reversing

Just remember to turn the traction control off!