Roy,

It's also something that has become more prevalent in recent years - my old Rabbit had a 1500 pound limit (braked) and my '95 Golf a 2000 pound limit (braked) - both the same as their UK editions.  But now the Golf is 900/1000 lbs in Canada, and 2200 pounds in the UK.

There's an EU caravan towing competion to name the best tow cars each year - their test trailers weigh 85% of the unladen weight of the test vehicle.  VWs with four wheel drive often win in their categories - the Golf IV,  Syncro or 4motion, was a winner a number of times.

James
Ottawa, ON

> Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 12:39:11 -0300
> From: RNicholl@NBNET.NB.CA
> Subject: Re: Interesting lite trailer
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> James,
> 
> It is common to find different towing limits/allowances between Europe and NA.  My TDi Jetta has 50% more towing allowance in its original German users manual, than in the NA version provided when the vehicle was brought to Canada.
> 
> On 18-Aug-2014, at 15:57, James wrote:
> 
> > I see lots of Priuses towing light trailers here.
> > 
> > The Mazda5 micro-van is not supposed to tow anything in North America, but the UK version of that vehicle has a 3000 pound towing capacity!  I wonder if the UK Prius also has a tow rating.  Of course, the Europeans are both more enthusiastic about towing with small vehicles, and a whole lot more careful in doing so, than many North Americans.
> > 
> > James
> > Ottawa, ON
> > 
> >> Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 10:14:53 -0500
> >> From: mcneely4@COX.NET
> >> Subject: Re: Interesting lite trailer
> >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >> 
> >> Interesting that the ad mentions Prius as a vehicle to tow the thing.  The Prius owner's book specifies that it is not to be used for towing.  There are no caveats given.  mcneely
> >> 
> >> ---- raceingcajun <raceingcajun@COMMUNICOMM.COM> wrote:
> >>> http://hiconsumption.com/2014/08/go-easy-lightweight-trailer-sylvan-sport/
> >>> 
> >>> I didn't dig deep enough to find the price..........but I'll bet it not as
> >>> lite as the trailer! :>)
> >>> 
> >>> Howard
> >> 
> >> --
> >> David McNeely