The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Towing Guide

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas brings back the beloved features and functionality of previous years while adding a more luxurious interior, enhanced technology, greater performance, and improved fuel efficiency. You’ll find your adventures more comfortable than ever thanks to the three-zone Climatronic controls, heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats. With the 10.25-inch Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro, you’ll enjoy easily customizable settings and a wealth of data, including a compass, navigation, fuel economy, and driving range.

From bumper to bumper, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is built to impress, and its towing capabilities are no exception. Our 2024 Volkswagen Atlas towing guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What’s the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Towing Capacity?

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas features a four-cylinder 2.0L turbocharged direct-injection TSI engine that delivers 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Most Atlas trim levels can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The 2024 VW Atlas SE is the sole exception with a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds when equipped with an aftermarket hitch.

To ensure optimal control when you’re towing, the 2024 Atlas SEL and SEL Premium R-Line come equipped with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system. Also available as an option on the SE, the 4MOTION system uses a multi-plate clutch to control how power is distributed to the front and rear axles. By continuously adjusting power delivery to all four tires, the 4MOTION system can virtually eliminate loss of traction and activate the rear axle in a fraction of a second if it detects a loss of traction.

The 2024 Atlas also comes with six stability-enhancing systems. Among these is electronic stability control, which applies corrective forces to the wheels as needed if you’re navigating difficult maneuvers. The electronic brake-pressure distribution system enables full control of the vehicle even when you’re braking hard.

What Can I Tow With the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas?

With a 5,000-pound towing capacity, you should be able to comfortably tow canoe and kayak trailers, motorcycle trailers, open utility trailers, and even pop-up campers. You should have all the capacity and capabilities you need to tow your pop-up camper to local San Juan Capistrano highlights such as Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park as well as further destinations such as the San Bernardino National Forest.

When you’re evaluating your load, it’s important to consider everything you’ve put onto your trailer or stashed in your camper as well as the equipment itself. For example, an empty pop-up camper typically weighs between 1,500 and 3,200 pounds, while a loaded camper averages between 2,800 and 4,300 pounds.

How Does the 2024 Atlas Compare?

Volkswagen maintains a highly competitive spot in the midsize SUV segment. The Atlas keeps pace with competitors such as the 2024 Kia Telluride, which shares the same 5,000-pound towing capacity. Though the towing capacity is the same, the Volkswagen Atlas outperforms the Telluride in terms of torque and fuel efficiency. The Atlas also comes out on top in terms of cargo volume, offering 96.8 cubic feet of space compared to the Telluride’s 87 cubic feet.

The Volkswagen Atlas has a strong history of providing impressive towing capabilities as well. The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a 2,000-pound towing capacity with the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine and a 5,000-pound towing capacity with the 3.6L V-6 engine. The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas maintained this trend. For 2024, we’re seeing that Volkswagen will continue to offer the same powerful towing capabilities that drivers have come to love from the Atlas of years past. If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, a 2022 or 2023 Atlas may be just what you need.

How To Tow Safely With the Volkswagen Atlas

In order to achieve the maximum towing capacity with the Volkswagen Atlas, you must have a factory-installed tow hitch included on your vehicle as well as an appropriate third-party trailer brake controller. A trailer hitch is included on the SE with Technology, SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line trims. If you use an aftermarket hitch, it’s crucial that you make sure it’s fully compatible with the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. However, an aftermarket product may minimize your overall capacity.

The Atlas’s towing capacity is also impacted by the specific accessories and features included in each vehicle. You should always double-check your owners manual for more detailed information on your vehicle’s total weight and towing capabilities.

When loading your trailer or camper, make sure the weight is distributed evenly throughout. If your trailer is heavier on one side than the other, you’ll find it much more difficult to control. You may experience swaying or loss of control, particularly on some of the windier roads around San Juan Capistrano and surrounding parts of California.

In addition to towing capacity, you’ll also need to know your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and gross combined weight rating (GCWR). The GVWR is the maximum load that your vehicle can manage in the form of the passengers, cargo, and vehicle itself. The GCWR is the total weight that the vehicle can handle including both the trailer and the weight of the vehicle, its cargo, and its passengers.

These numbers are important because you may want to minimize your trailer weight if you’re carrying a lot of passengers and cargo. The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas features roof rails on all trim levels so you can carry camping equipment both in and on top of the SUV. Make sure you’re not exceeding any of the weight limits specified in the owners manual for a safe towing experience.

Find the Perfect Volkswagen Atlas for Your Next Adventure

If you’re ready to explore the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas yourself, come visit our team at Capistrano Volkswagen. We have an extensive inventory of new Volkswagen SUVs to consider. Our knowledgeable team members can explain all your options and help you discover the right fit for your lifestyle. Once you’ve found the perfect SUV, our finance department will walk you through the process of securing a loan that suits your budget. Come visit us today.