Flat towing with 2018 VW GTI?

The transmission is not a CVT.

You have a DSG which is not good at crawling speeds or inching away in traffic or in reversing mode. Hence towing is not recommended.  BUT, I am aware of a VW DSG tranny diesel that towed a small trailer a lot without issues and did 120K miles

So I am not sure what to tell you, except DSG's need frequent changes in their tranny oil. 

Thank you for your reply.  I haven't noticed any issues with crawling speeds or inching away in traffic.

The engine and trans will handle a flat tow. The only caution (and it's a big one) is in the gross weight of the tow vehicle and its weight distribution. Your GTI weighs 3000 pounds and it's mostly in the front. If you should find yourself coming down a steep, slippery hill and need to change direction quickly there is a chance (albeit small) that the towed vehicle could push the ass end of your car in a direction you didn't intend. 

I understand but you might want to read this @Michael McKelvey  dsg

Interesting.  Thanks. 

In 2012, I towed my Speedster full of stuff on move from No. VA to FL with a 2003 Toyota Camry 4cyl 157 hp AT 4 cyl.  Total trip was 1000 miles via I95/I85/I65. I had no issues other than concern for the rolling hills of No. Carolina and the trans up/down shifting to compensate.  I turned off OD.  I never backed up with the Speedster in tow.  Used the RV/trailer parking at Cracker Barrel and used pull thru parking at motel.  I also used the $10 aux trailer lights from HF.  I used the bolt to chassis CL 1 hitch (used U bolts).  My guess is Camry is lighter but longer wheelbase than GTI. 

I pulled mine with my tiny tacoma truck last year.  Truck has a 4 cylinder,  150 lbs torque.   It did flawless up and down huge Arkansas hills.  I even used my AC!

Mike,   I'm not totally  educated on the dual clutch thing but logic tells me there may be clutch friction issues and with your short wheel base I would only in town short for distances. A Carlisle run at interstate speeds would not be the safest if you have to slam the brakes or switch lanes quickly.  Just my .02

@Alan Merklin actually it is the trip to Carlisle that has me thinking about this.

The dual clutch is a bit like 2 manual transmissions side by side. One handles the odd gears and the other does the even. When one side is active the other has already shifted into the gear it thinks you need next.  Then it just switches clutches.

I wake up with dreams of owning this - with a 300 hp Subaru 4 wheel drive drive train ($75k on TheSamba) -