towing with Macan
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
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towing with Macan
I have taken an interest in the Macan S, and considering purchasing one in the near future, probably in the 2 to 3 years old range. I'm curious to get any feed back from anyone who uses it to tow from time to time. I have a heavy duty dedicated work truck (Ford 450 utility body) that I use for the big stuff on a daily basis, but would like to be able to use the Macan as my "personal" vehicle and to pull a 3000 lb boat (fully loaded) about once or twice a week during the warmer months. I would expect to make around 20 1 hour round trips during the summer to the local lakes, with maybe 1 or 2 longer trips (3 hours each way) to the beach each year.
I know the Macan is rated for around 4500lb (reduced from the original rating of around 5500lbs) and is "technically" rated for the job, but, would I be pushing it too far to do that much towing of that much weight. Looking over some other forums, it seems the common recommendation would be to go the Cayenne route. I'm sure the Cayenne would handle the towing part much easier than the Macan would, but I'm still drawn to the Macan(S) based on reviews I seen about it's use as a daily driver.
I know the Macan is rated for around 4500lb (reduced from the original rating of around 5500lbs) and is "technically" rated for the job, but, would I be pushing it too far to do that much towing of that much weight. Looking over some other forums, it seems the common recommendation would be to go the Cayenne route. I'm sure the Cayenne would handle the towing part much easier than the Macan would, but I'm still drawn to the Macan(S) based on reviews I seen about it's use as a daily driver.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,085
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From: St. Louis
My friend, using his Macan GTS, tows his E36 BMW track car to events all over the country. He owns a large pickup which was his previous tow vehicle but says the Macan is a much more enjoyable ride. He agrees that the capacity, with his set up, is right at, if not slightly over, the max rating but that it works well. Power is never an issue and the PDK transmission never balks or hunts for gears. He says he is cautious with the brakes on downhill runs and easy on the throttle and he’s never had any issues. It tracks wonderfully, he says.
On his recommendation I got the tow package on mine because I may do the same. So far, though, bikes are the toughest load I’ve had. Good to have options!
I have pics of his rig but don’t have access to them right now. Can get them later.
On his recommendation I got the tow package on mine because I may do the same. So far, though, bikes are the toughest load I’ve had. Good to have options!
I have pics of his rig but don’t have access to them right now. Can get them later.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 27
From: West Los Angeles
Fully loaded with fuel jugs, and extra set of wheels and tires, the entire setup is about 5K. The issue is the tongue weight and I made sure that the car wasn't all the way forward. The grade I typically have to drive on is about a 6% incline and the Macan handled it just fine. I did have some concerns of the transmission as a friend of mine blew out his BMW X5 transmission while towing about the same weight.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
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Sorry to revive this old thread-
The '15-18's that I've looked at show a max tow capacity of 1650 lb. The Porsche website for the new Macan shows 4400 lb. What is the change?
I want to tow my Motorcycle trailer, maxed out it's 2900lb, 10-15% on the tongue. No brakes.
The '15-18's that I've looked at show a max tow capacity of 1650 lb. The Porsche website for the new Macan shows 4400 lb. What is the change?
I want to tow my Motorcycle trailer, maxed out it's 2900lb, 10-15% on the tongue. No brakes.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 27
From: West Los Angeles
No, change. Porsche US always had a spec of around 4400lb tow capacity while ROW was about 5500lbs. I think the US has a more conservative approach to rating tow capacities. Towing a motorcycle trailer will not be an issue at all.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
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I'm not so much worried about the car's physical ability to tow, more what would happen in an insurance / liability situation.
What does the owner's manual say?
Any idea why the specs on the older Macan show the 1650 number?
What does the owner's manual say?
Any idea why the specs on the older Macan show the 1650 number?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 27
From: West Los Angeles
You are confusing tow rating versus maximum load.
What insurance/liability are you concerned about?
https://www.porsche.com/usa/models/m...turesandspecs/
What insurance/liability are you concerned about?
https://www.porsche.com/usa/models/m...turesandspecs/
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
You are confusing tow rating versus maximum load.
What insurance/liability are you concerned about?
https://www.porsche.com/usa/models/m...turesandspecs/
What insurance/liability are you concerned about?
https://www.porsche.com/usa/models/m...turesandspecs/
Under "features and specs" says 1650 max trailer weight, 10% on tongue. Same for all the ones I've seen on here.
