2012 Volkswagen Routan S Max Towing Capacity & Payload
Max Towing Capacity
3,600 lbs
Safe limit: 2,880 lbs (80% rule)
Max Payload
1,200 lbs
Often the real limiting factor
Fuel Economy
18.4 mpg
17 city / 25 hwy (EPA Est.)
The 2012 Volkswagen Routan S is rated to tow up to 3,600 lbs powered by the 3.6L. For real-world towing, the practical limit is 2,880 lbs — that's 80% of max, giving you margin for hills, headwinds, and load variation. The payload rating of 1,200 lbs is the number to watch closely — once you add passengers, hitch weight, and gear, it fills faster than most people expect. With this setup, you're looking at pop-up campers and smaller travel trailers.
Recommended Equipment
Towing Gear for This Truck
Matched to this trim's Class II hitch class and 3,600 lb tow rating
Class II Hitch Receiver
Required for towing. 2" receiver is standard on tow-equipped models.
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Trailer Wiring Adapter
7-pin to 4-pin adapters for trailer brake lights and signals.
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Brake Controller
Required by law in most states for trailers over 3,000 lbs.
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Trailer Wiring Adapter
7-pin to 4-pin adapters for brake lights and signals on lighter trailers.
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Full Data
Specifications
Towing & Capacity
Engine & Performance
Dimensions
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Towing
Payload & Weight
Curb Weight
4,494 lbs
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Engine
Engine
3.6L
Horsepower
283 HP @ 6350 rpm
Torque
260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Transmission
6-speed shiftable automatic
Drive Type
Front Wheel Drive
Fuel Type
Flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)
Fuel Tank
20.5 gallons
Fuel Economy (EPA)
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Combined20 mpg
Real-World (Fuelly, 27 owners)18.4 mpg
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Dimensions
Overall Length202.5"
Overall Width76.9"
Height68.9"
What Can I Tow?
RV Class Compatibility
Based on a safe tow limit of 2,880 lbs and 1,200 lb payload. Shows what % of each RV class in our database you can tow.
RV Type
Weight Range
Coverage
Status
Travel Trailers
Bumper Pull
1,100 – 89,950 lbs
Limited
Destination Trailers
Bumper Pull
9,800 – 16,500 lbs
Out of Range
Fifth Wheels
5th Wheel
1,176 – 24,000 lbs
Out of Range
Toy Haulers
5th / Bumper
1,300 – 112,250 lbs
Out of Range
⚠ Vehicle capacity only — does not include passengers, gear, or tongue weight. Run the full calculator →
Compare Configurations
Other 2012 Volkswagen Routan Trims
| Configuration | Max Towing | MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Volkswagen Routan S FWD | 3,600 lbs | 19.4 mpg | View → |
| 2014 Volkswagen Routan SE FWD | 3,600 lbs | 19.4 mpg | View → |
| 2014 Volkswagen Routan SEL Premium FWD | 3,600 lbs | 19.4 mpg | View → |
| 2013 Volkswagen Routan S FWD | 3,600 lbs | 16.9 mpg | View → |
| 2013 Volkswagen Routan SE FWD | 3,600 lbs | 16.9 mpg | View → |
| 2013 Volkswagen Routan SEL Premium FWD | 3,600 lbs | 16.9 mpg | View → |
| 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE FWD | 3,600 lbs | 18.4 mpg | View → |
| 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE FWD | 3,600 lbs | 18.4 mpg | View → |
| 2012 Volkswagen Routan SEL FWD | 3,600 lbs | 18.4 mpg | View → |
| 2012 Volkswagen Routan SEL Premium FWD | 3,600 lbs | 18.4 mpg | View → |
Questions & Answers
Common Questions
How much can I actually tow with my 2012 Volkswagen Routan S?
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The 2012 Volkswagen Routan S is rated at 3,600 lbs maximum — but the real-world best practice is the 80% rule: target 2,880 lbs as your practical limit. This gives you margin for hills, headwinds, braking distance, and real-world load variance. More critically, check your payload first — the door sticker tells you your specific truck's limit, and payload may be your actual binding constraint.
What about payload — how much stuff can I put in the truck?
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You have 1,200 lbs of payload capacity — that's everything going IN the truck: passengers (~150 lbs each), camping gear, coolers, and critically the tongue weight from your trailer. For bumper pull trailers, tongue weight is typically 10–15% of the trailer's loaded weight. It fills up faster than most people expect, especially on longer trips.
What kind of hitch do I need?
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For the 2012 Volkswagen Routan S, you need a Class II receiver hitch rated for 3,600 lbs. Don't skimp here — the hitch is the critical link between truck and trailer. For fifth wheel towing, you'll need a dedicated kingpin-style fifth wheel hitch mounted in the truck bed.
What types of RVs will work with my truck?
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With your 2,880 lb safe towing capacity, you're looking at pop-up campers and smaller travel trailers. The compatibility chart above shows what percentage of each RV class in our database you can handle. Use the Tow Calculator to check a specific RV including gear, water, and passengers.
What does GVWR mean and why should I care?
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GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — the maximum your truck can weigh when fully loaded with people, gear, and fuel. Your truck's GVWR is 5,694 lbs. Exceed it and you're over-stressing brakes, suspension, and tires. This is different from towing capacity — it's about what the truck itself can carry.
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