B7 2006 A4 Avant Euro Tow Hitch DIY

[redwoodum]

Bought a B7 avant recently, it is my second B7. My previous car was an MK6 Golf TDI and I used to tow with it a lot. Audizine has little to no information on this - Thanks to CZA420tAvant and mnooooa4 for the input they had in this build.



Although I wouldn't mind a receiver-style hitch, all of these tow bars bolt to the spare tire well, which I am NOT a fan of. Westfalia and Bosal both make a great frame mount hitch for use in Europe. The ball size is usually 50mm = 1.97 in. A tight 2" trailer works great. I purchased the basic Bosal hitch on PF jones for about $350 total and had it shipped from England in less than a week. I never tow more than 1200 lbs unbraked, but the hitch is rated for 4000+lbs on this car (Q5 platform and drivetrain?).

The DIY was a bit of an afterthought, because of the lack of other DIYs available. The car was on rear jackstands with front wheel blocks, and the rear upholstery was removed by unbolting the cargo hooks and "yanking gently" in typical Audi interior style. The rear latch cover had 4 t-25 screws.

I used the following tools:
Pliers
T-25 socket
T-30 Socket
T-55 Socket (should be triple square)
10mm socket
13mm socket
Phillips head
Pliers
2 guns and six pack



Once the carpet is removed, there is a 13mm screw, two 13mm bolts and a 10mm nut to remove the amp/sub enclosure on the right, and the cd changer/storage on the left.








In the Avant, there are two pairs of 10mm nuts on each side (8 total). In the sedan I believe there is one set of 3 on each side.






Now the bumper cover is detached on the interior. Used a 1/4 ratchet with t-25 to remove the exterior screws.
3 on each side in the fenderwell




4 more underneath the debris cover.


2 on the underside of mine (one was broken already, and I didnt reuse these - they are riveted to the bumper itself.


Now pull out from the wheelwell on each side


Your bumper cover should now be free to remove


Now you can remove the bumper itself - two T-55 or triple square bolts on each side.



I took this opportunity to wash up


Slide the towbar in place of the bumper


I realized I had to access under the exhaust shielding. I actually unbolted the axle-back, but just dropping it off the hangers should work.


Two 10mm nuts let me get the shield bent out of the way.


Remove the two stickers on each side


I chose to have the threads facing up to avoid corrosion, knowing there is plenty of clearance.


On this model hitch, I had one original T-55 bolt and two included with the hitch, which went in the new holes. Torque to 40 lb ft (55 nm)



I didn't take any pictures of wiring, as I did not complete it immediately. I didn't find any information that worked for me, so I used my multimeter and found a wire on each side (blue/orange and blue/pink) that gave me 12v for each turn signal. Red/white gave me 2v tail lights and 12v brakes. I always use a lighting module for independent power and ground for the trailer. I sourced these from my sound system.

Aaaand... Celebrate.


I'll add pictures once I get a chance to tow.

[dackler]

Looking forward to seeing pics of it installed & ready to tow.
I tow regularly with my B7 Avant and I used a Curt hitch that bolted to the frame where the rear muffler hangers bolt up (not drilling/bolting the spare-tire well).
There are 2 Curt hitches, one listed for 07-08 (that bolts in like I described) and one for earlier models (up to 06) that you must drill and bolt to the spare tire well.
The 07-08 version is what I got for my 2006 as it's the same as 2007-2008.
No idea why they list 2 but the 07-08 was a <30 minute install on my 2006.

It's not a hidden hitch, but that wasn't a concern of mine going into it.

pics because

[redwoodum]

Thanks for sharing man! You're right down the road from me.
Good info about the Curt hitch - I'm sure a lot of people will find the price and Americanized hitch very enticing (and a 30 minute install!)

[BumblebVR6]

Looking forward to seeing pics of it installed & ready to tow.
I tow regularly with my B7 Avant and I used a Curt hitch that bolted to the frame where the rear muffler hangers bolt up (not drilling/bolting the spare-tire well).
There are 2 Curt hitches, one listed for 07-08 (that bolts in like I described) and one for earlier models (up to 06) that you must drill and bolt to the spare tire well.
The 07-08 version is what I got for my 2006 as it's the same as 2007-2008.
No idea why they list 2 but the 07-08 was a <30 minute install on my 2006.

It's not a hidden hitch, but that wasn't a concern of mine going into it.

pics because

Wonder if the late B7 hitch would fit on my B6 Avant? I'm currently using the spare tire well mounted one but I've always wanted something sturdier. I only use it for bikes, but still wouldn't hurt. Going to order one on Amazon and give it a try.