Oh! I sent pictures to VW. Even though the car was out of warranty. VW is going to cover the charge of purchasing the replacement engine. Name me any other car manufacturer that would do that?
Honda, Toyota, Chrysler... all have had systemic "issues" and quietly extended warranties and/or made parts available at heavy discounts in order to maintain goodwill. I'm glad you didn't have to put up too much of a fuss to get VW to comply.
This sort of "secret warranty" has been going on for awhile. Back in the late 1960s my dad's friend bought a new Oldmobile Toronado (first of the big FWD GM cars). He went on a trip to Vermont when one of the front half-shafts broke. Despite being well off the beaten path, the friend gushed about the great GM service, how the local Oldsmobile dealer had the part in stock, and got him fixed and on his way without affecting his vacation.
My dad, having some experience with the other side of the auto-industry, was a bit more cynical: "All that means is that the half-shaft was a weak-link that couldn't be fixed before production, so GM made sure all their dealers had replacement parts in stock for the inevitable repairs."
I agree that towing had nothing to do with this problem - that neat little pop-up camper of yours is so lightweight and aerodynamic that the extra load wouldn't have been a factor. This was likely a casting flaw.
