Excellent !!

Just returned from a few days caravanning in Scarborough.

The Alltrack was excellent,towed a caravan,four passengers,packed with luggage,a full roofbox and two childrens bikes with no problem at all.

The auto/Tiptronic gearbox is a delight.

Well pleased with things so far.

Ian

Towing

We used the Alltrack to tow our caravan for the first time last weekend to watch the Tour de France in Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales.

There was only one word to describe the Alltracks towing ability and that is awesome.

It was rock steady on the road,even when passed by artics. on the A1 it never moved,put it in "cruise" when appropriate to do so and just steer.

It turned in just a shade under 30mpg whilst towing our Bailey Orion ( according to the digital display ) and the pop-out factory fitted towbar did its job without any problem.

The only very minor gripe is that that the securing point for the caravan breakaway cable on the Wesfalia towbar is hidden away at the back which means a hands and knees job to clip it in.


Ian

Film Time

Had some protective film applied today to prevent the bodywork getting marked by stonechips.

Front of bonnet,either side of the front number plate and to the back bumper behind the retractable towball.

Very good neat job done,I was going to include a photo but they can barely be seen with the naked eye let alone with a camera so a bit pointless really.

Would be a good idea if they were offered as a factory/dealer fit extra.


Ian

Update On mph/kph

Visited the dealer yesterday asked if they knew how to alter the digital reading from km/h to mph in the digital display as mentioned previously.

The answer was that it can't be done ( well it could be done with some jiggery pokery in the computer but would be illegal ) as the speedometer only shows mph and legally it has to show km/h somewhere as well.

In other markets it is allowed hence the bit in the handbook describing how to do it.

So there is the answer,you can't do it.

Ian

Trailer Assist

It appears VW are to offer Trailer Assist on the forthcoming new Passat for 2015.

Trailer Assist

It would doubtless help us caravanners who aren't exactly red hot at reversing although I can't see it being retro-fit to older models but you never know.

Ian

Beware That Hosepipe !!

Have just given the Alltrack its first clean and it occured to me how easy it would be to get an exhaust pipe ( or two exhaust pipes ) full of water from using a hose.

Think I will cover them with a plastic bag next time.

Ian

Stop/Start Stopped ??

Yesterday I thought the Stop/Start system had packed its bags and left town as it didn't work.

It wasn't until I consulted the handbook I discovered that there is a long list of provisos before the Stop/Start decides to Stop/Start,one being not having the fan on Max which we had at the time.

Ian

Km/h To Mph ??

Does anyone know how to change the second speed display in the MFD from Km/h to Mph.

It tells you how on page 23 of the handbook but I do not appear to have an Alt.speed.dis. function in the computer.

I have also tried the other way of doing it via pressing a button three times etc.but that doesn't work either.

I will ask the dealer if all else fails but someone must have altered it themselves I would think.

Ian

It Arrived Eventually.

As can be seen from the main blog picture the Alltrack has finally arrived.

Have to say I am pretty impressed with it in the two days it has been here,the technology on a new car these days is astounding,even if it takes a degree in automotive technology to fathom it all out.

First a bit of background,the car is a 177PS with a DSG gearbox in Tornado Red.

We specified a fair few factory fitted extras,namely:-

Electric folding mirrors
Heated front seats.
Heated windscreen
Manual rear sunblinds
Park Assist
Parking heater
Rear view camera
Electric tailgate
Electric towbar and 13-pin electrics
Leather upholstery

And some dealer fitted bits and pieces:-

Net partition
Door sill and bumper protection
Rubber floor mats
Semi-rigid load liner
Load bars
Child seat ptotector
DVD players

I originally wanted headlight protectors and mud flaps but were told these weren't really compatible with the Alltrack.

Also bought a five year warranty and servicing plan.

We received excellent service from JCT600 in Wakefield and obtained a fair price for our trade in so if anyone is thinking of using them do not hesitate,ask for Graham Bulmer and you won't go far wrong.

If any caravanners are reading this and specify the factory fitted Westfalia towball,you may be a bit disappointed when you find there is no anchorage for the breakaway cable,I was.

However on further examination it is there,tucked right at the back of the tow ball compartment and is difficult to spot at first.

I hope it lives up to its first impressions.

As with my Bailey Orion Blog ( BOB ) don't hesitate to get in touch with anything interesting.


Ian

It's Landed !!

Well the Alltrack has finally landed at the dealers,been to have a quick look this evening,looks good.

Ian