2022 Volkswagen Atlas Towing Capacity Guide

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas can tow up to 5,000 pounds when equipped with the 3.6L V6 engine and factory tow package. With the base four-cylinder, that number drops to 2,000 pounds—a difference that matters quite a bit depending on what you're planning to haul.

This guide covers how engine choice affects towing capacity, what comes in the factory tow package, practical examples of what the Atlas can pull, and tips for towing safely.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas tops out at 5,000 pounds of towing capacity when you pair the 3.6L V6 engine with the factory tow package. If you stick with the standard 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, that number drops to 2,000 pounds regardless of whether you choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

So what does "towing capacity" actually mean? It's the maximum combined weight of your trailer plus everything loaded inside or on top of it. The Atlas lands on the higher end of midsize SUV towing capability, which makes it a solid pick for families who want to haul boats, campers, or utility trailers without stepping up to a full-size truck.

The gap between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds is significant. A 2,000-pound limit covers light loads like a small utility trailer or a pair of dirt bikes. But if you're thinking about a boat or a pop-up camper, you'll want the V6 configuration to give yourself enough headroom.

Your engine choice determines your towing ceiling. It's that straightforward. The two powertrains available in the 2022 Atlas serve different purposes, and understanding the difference helps you pick the right one for how you actually plan to use the vehicle.

The base engine produces 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. For commuting, road trips, and everyday driving, this powertrain feels perfectly adequate. It's smooth, reasonably efficient, and handles highway merging without complaint.

However, the 2,000-pound towing limit narrows your options considerably. You can pull a small enclosed trailer, a couple of motorcycles, or a lightweight utility hauler. Anything heavier than that pushes you beyond what this engine can safely manage.

The V6 bumps output to 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. That extra power translates directly into towing confidence, especially when you're climbing grades or accelerating onto a highway with a loaded trailer behind you.

• Horsepower advantage: The additional 41 horsepower over the four-cylinder becomes noticeable when you're pulling weight uphill or passing slower traffic on two-lane roads.
• 4MOTION AWD: Volkswagen's all-wheel-drive system sends power to whichever wheels have the best grip. This matters on wet pavement, gravel driveways, and boat ramps where traction can get sketchy.

Pairing the V6 with 4MOTION gives you the most capable towing setup available in the Atlas lineup. Front-wheel-drive V6 models can still tow 5,000 pounds, but the added traction from all-wheel drive makes the experience more controlled in less-than-ideal conditions.

Volkswagen's factory tow package bundles the hardware and electronics you'll want for safe, legal towing. Going with factory-installed equipment means everything integrates properly with the Atlas's stability control and electrical systems, which isn't always the case with aftermarket installations.

Here's what comes in the package:

• Class III trailer hitch receiver: A two-inch receiver that bolts directly to the frame. It accepts standard ball mounts, so you can swap between different trailer couplers without changing the hitch itself.
• Seven-pin wiring harness: This connector handles trailer lights, turn signals, and electric brake systems. The seven-pin design is the standard for most trailers with brakes, so compatibility is rarely an issue.
• Trailer sway control: An electronic feature that monitors for side-to-side trailer oscillation. If the system detects sway, it applies selective braking to individual wheels to straighten things out before the situation gets worse.

"Tip: If you're shopping for a used 2022 Atlas and plan to tow regularly, confirm that the factory tow package was part of the original build. A VIN lookup or the original window sticker can verify this. Aftermarket hitches work, but they don't always include the integrated wiring and sway control features."

Volkswagen sells two versions of the Atlas, and while they share engines and platforms, they're designed for slightly different buyers. The standard Atlas offers three rows of seating for up to seven passengers. The Atlas Cross Sport drops the third row in favor of a lower, sportier roofline and a bit more cargo flexibility.

From a towing perspective, both models max out at 5,000 pounds when equipped with the V6 and tow package. The mechanical capability is identical.

The decision between them comes down to passenger needs. If you regularly carry more than four people and want to tow, the three-row Atlas makes more sense. If it's usually just you and a partner or a small family, the Cross Sport's sleeker look might appeal more without sacrificing any towing capability.

Numbers are helpful, but real-world examples make them easier to picture. Here's what 5,000 pounds of towing capacity actually looks like when you're planning a weekend trip or hauling gear.

A 19-foot bowrider on a single-axle trailer typically weighs somewhere between 3,500 and 4,500 pounds when you account for fuel, gear, and the trailer itself. That fits comfortably within the Atlas's limits with room to spare.

Jet skis are even lighter. A double trailer with two personal watercraft usually comes in well under 2,000 pounds total, leaving plenty of margin for coolers, life jackets, and whatever else you're bringing along.

Teardrop campers and pop-up trailers generally fall between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds, which makes them natural companions for the Atlas. You get the camping experience without pushing the vehicle's limits.

Some lightweight travel trailers in the 18- to 20-foot range also work, though you'll want to check the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating before committing. GVWR represents the maximum loaded weight, including water tanks, propane, and all your gear. If that number exceeds 5,000 pounds, you're looking at the wrong trailer for this vehicle.

Enclosed cargo trailers, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles all fit within the Atlas's capability. A typical 6x12 enclosed trailer weighs around 1,500 pounds empty, which leaves substantial capacity for tools, equipment, or recreational toys.

This versatility is part of what makes the Atlas appealing for active families. You can haul the camping trailer one weekend and the motorcycle trailer the next without worrying about whether your vehicle can handle it.

Towing changes how your vehicle behaves. Acceleration feels slower, braking takes longer, and handling becomes less responsive. A few adjustments to your approach make the whole experience safer and more predictable.

Tongue weight refers to the downward force that the trailer's coupler puts on the hitch ball. For the Atlas, tongue weight works best when it falls between 10% and 15% of the total trailer weight.

Too little tongue weight causes the trailer to sway. Too much makes the rear of the Atlas squat while the front end lifts, which reduces steering control and changes your headlight aim. Getting this balance right matters more than most people realize.

A weight-distributing hitch uses spring bars to spread tongue weight across all four wheels of the tow vehicle instead of concentrating it entirely at the rear axle. This setup levels the vehicle and improves handling when you're pulling heavier loads close to the 5,000-pound maximum.

For lighter trailers, a standard ball mount works fine. But as you approach the upper limits of the Atlas's capability, a weight-distributing hitch makes a noticeable difference in how the vehicle feels on the road.

Before every trip, take a minute to confirm that your trailer's brake lights, turn signals, and running lights all work correctly. Have someone stand behind the trailer while you cycle through the controls.

If your trailer has electric brakes, test them separately to make sure they engage when you press the brake pedal. Trailer brakes do most of the work stopping the trailer itself, so you want them functioning properly before you hit the road.

Adding a few thousand pounds behind your vehicle increases stopping distance significantly. On dry pavement, plan for at least 25% more distance than you'd normally leave. In wet or slippery conditions, that margin grows even larger.

This adjustment becomes second nature after a few towing trips, but it's worth being deliberate about it early on. The physics of stopping a heavy load don't care whether you're used to towing or not.

Explore Atlas inventory at Platinum Volkswagen →

Reading about towing specs gives you a foundation, but actually driving the Atlas with a trailer attached tells you whether it fits your needs. At Platinum Volkswagen in Hicksville, our team can walk you through the differences between engine options, show you the tow package features in person, and help you figure out which configuration matches how you plan to use the vehicle.

If you already own an Atlas and want to add towing capability, our service department handles factory tow package installations with genuine Volkswagen components and proper wiring integration. We're set up to support you through the entire ownership experience, whether you're buying, servicing, or upgrading down the road.

The Atlas supports a tongue weight of approximately 500 pounds when configured for maximum towing. Staying within this limit keeps weight distribution balanced and maintains predictable handling.

The factory tow package includes pre-wiring for a brake controller, but the controller itself is typically a separate purchase. If your trailer has electric brakes, you'll want to install a compatible controller before towing any significant distance.

Yes. Front-wheel-drive Atlas models equipped with the V6 engine and tow package can still pull up to 5,000 pounds. That said, 4MOTION AWD provides better traction on wet boat ramps, gravel roads, and other low-grip surfaces where you might be hitching or unhitching a trailer.

Fuel economy drops noticeably when towing, especially with heavier loads or at sustained highway speeds. The exact impact depends on trailer weight, terrain, and driving conditions, but planning for more frequent fuel stops helps avoid surprises on longer trips.