Thule T2 hitch mount bike rack on A4 Avant?

[a4audi4fun]

Any one on this forum have a Thule T2 hitch mount bike rack on a B7 (2005.5-2008) A4 Avant?

Wanting to find out what clearance there is when bikes are loaded and when the rack is stowed into it's "vertical" position.

Pictures would be great if possible.

[lookaught]

I believe that with a hitch mount on a 1.25" hitch you still need to 'tether' the bike rack to the car when its loaded. This has to due with the torque the rack exerts on the hitch when moving, causing it to twist.

As for your quesiton, I'm sure it'll be pretty close to the car in the vertical position. I doubt you'll find pics of this though as most avants use roof racks not hitch mounted racks. It would be easier to get the technical data/schematics on the rack and measure the distances from the hitch on the car to get an idea, or cut one out of cardboard and mock it up.

[lookaught]

I just reviewed the online instructions and it doesnt mention anything about a tether, Im not sure where I read that but I definitely read it somewhere. Maybe with the T2 it's not necessary.

If you do get it Im very interested to see how it turns out and how stable it is. Keep us posted!

[a4audi4fun]

Hitch Installed


Rack in Stowed Position


Just clears bumper but I will adjust for more clearance


Rack in Bike Transport Position


Transport Position - different angle


Rack Tilted down for boot access


Side view - downward tilt for boot access

[lookaught]

wow that's great! Do you have any shots of it with bikes loaded (full size bikes if possible, not kid bikes, etc).

How stable is it, side to side with it all loaded? Does is torque much or sway/rattle?

I have to buy a bike rack in about one week, so please let me know how that works! Im still very much on the fence between the hitch and roof racks. Thanks for posting the pics!

[a4audi4fun]

wow that's great! Do you have any shots of it with bikes loaded (full size bikes if possible, not kid bikes, etc).

How stable is it, side to side with it all loaded? Does is torque much or sway/rattle?

I have to buy a bike rack in about one week, so please let me know how that works! Im still very much on the fence between the hitch and roof racks. Thanks for posting the pics!

Everything feels solid and stable; very slight wobble on bikes because side mount arm is against the wheel; nothing major to be concerned about. If I push against the rack itself, the car moves so that is also solidly connected.

Takes me 5 mins to attach the rack to the hitch and load both bikes.

Bolt holds T2 to hitch - threaded portion gives solid mount; no free play here



Lowered for easy access to cargo area...



View from right rear...



Nothing rubs...

[Colt556]

Looks pretty good!

[Snowman]

I am also looking in having a hitch installed but am wondering if it wont look to "ugly".

If ever you get a chance is it possible to have a few pics of just the hitch. A bit like your first picture but from ferther.

Thanks

[a4audi4fun]

I am also looking in having a hitch installed but am wondering if it wont look to "ugly".

If ever you get a chance is it possible to have a few pics of just the hitch. A bit like your first picture but from ferther.

Thanks

See if these work for you. My car is Dolphin Gray so once you move back a bit the black hitch blends in with the shadow under the bumper. If you had a white or silver vehicle it might be a little more noticeable. Right click on the 1st image and save a copy; if you zoom in you will eventually see the hitch under the bumper. If I painted the silver flange that goes over the tow loop black, I think you be pretty hard pressed to see the hitch at a glance.

[Snowman]

Thanks a lot for your time. I gives me a very good idea of what it looks like. My car is black so I think it will be fine.

[lookaught]

Thanks for all the pics, I appreciate it! I ended up with a roof mount, as I decided that I didnt want to be removing/reinstalling the rack all the time as I wouldn't leave it on my car when I drive to work.

I'll get some pics of my roof setup and post them up sometime soon.

[B18b1ex]

About how much did the hitch weigh? If you know.

[a4audi4fun]

About how much did the hitch weigh? If you know.

http://www.curtmfg.com - Manufacturer's website

http://fileresource.sitepro.com/file...382A1199AD.pdf - install document

From the install guide hitch weight is 20lbs

[AudiA4Style]

You car looks great! But I would feel a little better with a bike rack that goes on top of the car. Our bikes are about 2grand each (sale price, they retail for close to 3), and say if we were to get rear ended, that would be some major loss.

[a4audi4fun]

Closeup of underside

[{PMS}fishy]

You car looks great! But I would feel a little better with a bike rack that goes on top of the car. Our bikes are about 2grand each (sale price, they retail for close to 3), and say if we were to get rear ended, that would be some major loss.

Not your loss, and you can't drive them into the garage that way.

[Subyroo651]

Not your loss, and you can't drive them into the garage that way.

Agreed!.. That is as long as the other party has decent Ins. if any lol
Could you claim it on your own coverage tho if needed ?

[Subyroo651]

I have a B6 Avant, How much different would that setup be for me?

I already have a Thule T2 1.25" from my beater car.

[a4audi4fun]

I have a B6 Avant, How much different would that setup be for me?

I already have a Thule T2 1.25" from my beater car.

http://www.curtmfg.com

The Curt site says the B6 hitch is a different part number but it should look the same. Difference is the mounting point for the hitch - B6 needs bolts into the spare tyre well and sits on the towing loop; B7 uses exhaust bolt mount points and also sits on the towing loop. Check the install instructions for the B6 & B7 hitches and you will see what I mean.

[20AE428]

Looks great. The Curt hitch is a fairly easy install and the T2 is a great rack, but for the price of both of those you can get the very best of top racks and still have cash to spare. I have had a Curt hitch on my B6 avant for 2 Canadian winters now and have been less than impressed with the amount of corrosion.

[wazzu70]

This thread is awesome! I was wondering about a hitch mounted rack and this answers my questions and is well detailed with pictures. Thanks!

One late night a while ago I forgot I had my road bike on the roof rack on my e30 and pulled into the garage. That sucked!

I am still planning on putting a roof mount on my Avant, but I would like this option as well. So much easier to load/unload IMO and leaves room for a cargo box up top!

[rensho]

Anyone know if the 2005.5-06 really uses a different hitch than the 07-08? Curt list 2 different part numbers. The older one lists that drilling is needed.
I'd rather use the newer one on my 2005.5 if possible.

[lookaught]

I think the only way to be sure is to look under your car for the bolt holes for the newer style hitch... if you have them great, if not, drill! I don't know if there are just holes or if there are bolts holding something to the car that are removed and reused/replaced when attaching the hitch.

I agree the whole drilling idea was uncomfortable but it's really not that bad.

[rensho]

Anyone know if the 2005.5-06 really uses a different hitch than the 07-08? Curt list 2 different part numbers. The older one lists that drilling is needed.
I'd rather use the newer one on my 2005.5 if possible.

I can now confirm that the new style Curt hitch fits on the 2005.5 The 4 bolts for the muffler hanger are there, and everything bolts up just fine. I was real nervous buying it without confirmation on h/w/l and any other fitment issues. And for a few minutes there, it looked like the bolt holes were just that much off that it wouldn't work, but it all turned out fine.

I did nothing outside of the instructions, and did not cut/grind/pray/etc.

[atbroome]

Re-animating an old one.

Does anyone know if the newer Curt model (11180) might work with a B7 S4 Avant? I suspect the exhaust hangers could be different between the A4 and S4. We use a Thule hitch mount rack with our Legacy wagon and I'd like to be able to do the same with the S4 without drilling into the spare tire well.

[jeffrey146]

I can now confirm that the new style Curt hitch fits on the 2005.5 The 4 bolts for the muffler hanger are there, and everything bolts up just fine. I was real nervous buying it without confirmation on h/w/l and any other fitment issues. And for a few minutes there, it looked like the bolt holes were just that much off that it wouldn't work, but it all turned out fine.

I did nothing outside of the instructions, and did not cut/grind/pray/etc.

Would it maybe work on a 2004 s4 avant mt? I'm looking at getting one as well just for regular towing shit around. I would rather not drill. Also, I know that ebay sells the curt hitches for a lot less.

[Motionless]

A4audi4fun - in you post and picture with the rack folded up it almost touches the bumper and you mention you would adjust it. How can this be done? Did you have to drill new holes father back? Also do you have a picture with 2 bikes on it from directly behind? My only concern with the hitch Mount is the bikes covering the brake lights and me getting rear ended.

[a4audi4fun]

A4audi4fun - in you post and picture with the rack folded up it almost touches the bumper and you mention you would adjust it. How can this be done? Did you have to drill new holes father back? Also do you have a picture with 2 bikes on it from directly behind? My only concern with the hitch Mount is the bikes covering the brake lights and me getting rear ended.

Can take a picture next time I use the rack. The Avant does have a high level centre brake lamp and I'm pretty sure that is far higher than the bike seats. When I have the bikes on, I try and ensure I leave lots of room front and rear to try and avoid rear-ending issues etc.

Ref adjustment there's a slight amount of slack when tightening the lower mounting bolt, so I pull the rack out that extra 1/32" or so. I also moved the spacing of the bike holders themselves, and shifted one off-centre slightly. That left me with about 3/8" between the bumper and the wheel holder shroud area. Both those parts are polyurethane rather than metal and I haven't had any rubbing occurring in 4+ years of use.

[dougyfresh]

http://www.curtmfg.com

The Curt site says the B6 hitch is a different part number but it should look the same. Difference is the mounting point for the hitch - B6 needs bolts into the spare tyre well and sits on the towing loop; B7 uses exhaust bolt mount points and also sits on the towing loop. Check the install instructions for the B6 & B7 hitches and you will see what I mean.

I wonder if the B7 will fit on the B6? I'll have to look around as I want to put the bikes on the back of the car and not on the roof. I like the B7 hitch design better than the B6 and the chassis are pretty much identical.



EDIT

guess I should have read other posts...

I can now confirm that the new style Curt hitch fits on the 2005.5 The 4 bolts for the muffler hanger are there, and everything bolts up just fine. I was real nervous buying it without confirmation on h/w/l and any other fitment issues. And for a few minutes there, it looked like the bolt holes were just that much off that it wouldn't work, but it all turned out fine.

I did nothing outside of the instructions, and did not cut/grind/pray/etc.

[a4audi4fun]

Can take a picture next time I use the rack. The Avant does have a high level centre brake lamp and I'm pretty sure that is far higher than the bike seats. When I have the bikes on, I try and ensure I leave lots of room front and rear to try and avoid rear-ending issues etc.

Have tried uploading photos and the Audizine site is goving me an upload error. For anyone who wants pictures of the view of my Avant with the bikes loaded on the rack, please PM me with your email address and I'll send them direct to you.

[philaboy]

I have a 07' Avant is this what you got for your car http://www.curtmfg.com/part/11180?

Have tried uploading photos and the Audizine site is goving me an upload error. For anyone who wants pictures of the view of my Avant with the bikes loaded on the rack, please PM me with your email address and I'll send them direct to you.

[a4audi4fun]

I have a 07' Avant is this what you got for your car http://www.curtmfg.com/part/11180?

Yes - that's the one; the flat section on top bolts directly onto the existing exhaust pipe mountings - no drilling is needed.

[philaboy]

Thanks man!

[skis4hire]

another option

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/a4-allroad...e-tow-bar.html

http://www.thule.com/en/nz/products/...-bike-carriers

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post9142263

[lookaught]

Finally bought a Thule 917 rack: