Anyone have experience towing with their B8 Allroad or A4 Avant?

[plug1]

Having trouble locating the max towing capacity for these vehicles.... Also, I know there is a Curt hitch I can have installed...but I'm not sure what all is involved with getting things wired up for a trailer. Looking to tow a 5x8' enclosed U-Haul trailer behind my Allroad for roughly 1,000 miles cross country. TIA.

[timob]

The Curt hitch bolts mostly to the floor of the trunk. That makes me edgy, but if you search you will fund many posts, people posting photos of towing boats, etc, In Europe they have a more elaborate mounting setup, you'll see chatter about that, too.

[bluetori]

You will have no problem towing with the Avant.

[amz]

In Europe they have a more elaborate mounting setup, you'll see chatter about that, too.

This?

[jfo]

The Curt hitch bolts mostly to the floor of the trunk. That makes me edgy, but if you search you will fund many posts, people posting photos of towing boats, etc, In Europe they have a more elaborate mounting setup, you'll see chatter about that, too.

The Curt hitch doesn't mount to the floor, at least not in the Avant or Allroad. It bolts onto the frame rails that hold the rear bumper crash bar. Two of the bolts do go through the rails from inside the cargo area and two more are bolted from below. The Euro style hitch like the Westfalia, uses the same frame rails, but has two arms that slide into the tubular rails, replacing the crash bar that sits under the bumper.
The Curt hitch is a class 1, the lowest weight rating. Towing is no problem, but you do need to be aware of the approximate combined weight of the trailer and load.

The Euro style hitch is typically "hidden", using a detachable tow bar that clips onto the hitch from below like the one pictured above. I installed the Curt on my Avant and then replaced it with a Westfalia after two years. I have towed a 5x8 UHaul with the Curt, but only on one occasion. I installed it for use with a bike rack. I didn't really like the appearance so changed it for the Westfalia when I had the bumper off to swap the rear valance.
Wiring is no problem using the Curt connectors but you do of course need to splice into the car wiring. And the Westfalia hitch is more expensive.

[plug1]

The Curt hitch doesn't mount to the floor, at least not in the Avant or Allroad. It bolts onto the frame rails that hold the rear bumper crash bar. Two of the bolts do go through the rails from inside the cargo area and two more are bolted from below. The Euro style hitch like the Westfalia, uses the same frame rails, but has two arms that slide into the tubular rails, replacing the crash bar that sits under the bumper.
The Curt hitch is a class 1, the lowest weight rating. Towing is no problem, but you do need to be aware of the approximate combined weight of the trailer and load.

The Euro style hitch is typically "hidden", using a detachable tow bar that clips onto the hitch from below like the one pictured above. I installed the Curt on my Avant and then replaced it with a Westfalia after two years. I have towed a 5x8 UHaul with the Curt, but only on one occasion. I installed it for use with a bike rack. I didn't really like the appearance so changed it for the Westfalia when I had the bumper off to swap the rear valance.
Wiring is no problem using the Curt connectors but you do of course need to splice into the car wiring. And the Westfalia hitch is more expensive.

Thanks to you and others for responses. Much appreciated.

[TDIaholic]

I would, and probably will, get the Westfalia for my Avant. It's the same one you can buy factory installed, invisible when removed, and there's even a nice OEM carrying bracket for the ball that fits in the spare wheel well.

[Classy]

I installed a trailer hitch on my A4.
I bought the hitch and installed it myself from etrailer.com
I only haul bicycles with the hitch, but it does mount to the actual frame of the vehicle. Installation was easy, and the directions are easy to follow as well. I didnt go with a wiring harness because I dont need light hook ups, but I would imagine that would be just as easy. (Or have a pro wire lighting after you install hitch) I would be comfortable hauling a jetski with my A4.

Let me know if you want pictures or more details.

[skis4hire]

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

This is the place to go for the Euro style tow-bar. It's a 50mm ball which will work well with 2" trailer couplers.
Send them an email, ask for shipping quote and to exclude VAT. Shipping should be ~$100 but will arrive in just a few days.

The "dedicated electronics" will integrate with CAN-BUS to show trailer indicator lights on the dash, disable rear parking sensors, and get bulb-out warnings for the trailer, and integrates with weatherproof external connector, but require a 7-pin connection to the trailer.
If you have 4 pins on the trailer, it may be easier to splice in something to the brake/turn wiring in the trunk, but I'm not sure what external wiring that includes.

Somewhat involved install as you can see below. Requires removing the bumper and cutting the valence, but there are good instructions below.
http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a4-a...stige-2863899/

http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a4-b.../#post23984984

[dropshadow]

The Curt hitch doesn't mount to the floor, at least not in the Avant or Allroad. It bolts onto the frame rails that hold the rear bumper crash bar. Two of the bolts do go through the rails from inside the cargo area and two more are bolted from below. The Euro style hitch like the Westfalia, uses the same frame rails, but has two arms that slide into the tubular rails, replacing the crash bar that sits under the bumper.
The Curt hitch is a class 1, the lowest weight rating. Towing is no problem, but you do need to be aware of the approximate combined weight of the trailer and load.

The Euro style hitch is typically "hidden", using a detachable tow bar that clips onto the hitch from below like the one pictured above. I installed the Curt on my Avant and then replaced it with a Westfalia after two years. I have towed a 5x8 UHaul with the Curt, but only on one occasion. I installed it for use with a bike rack. I didn't really like the appearance so changed it for the Westfalia when I had the bumper off to swap the rear valance.
Wiring is no problem using the Curt connectors but you do of course need to splice into the car wiring. And the Westfalia hitch is more expensive.

Does the Curt hitch require you to cut the valence or does it stick out below the bumper, no cutting required? I'm thinking of picking one up for a bike mount so I can haul bikes and my roof box.

[Classy]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Ake1YFB.jpg

Does the Curt hitch require you to cut the valence or does it stick out below the bumper, no cutting required? I'm thinking of picking one up for a bike mount so I can haul bikes and my roof box.

Just cut the valence.. It requires a 1"x1" cut. And the hitch hides away very nicely. Much better and cleaner than a whole bunch of metal tubing and bars hanging out under your car.

[jfo]

Does the Curt hitch require you to cut the valence or does it stick out below the bumper, no cutting required? I'm thinking of picking one up for a bike mount so I can haul bikes and my roof box.

On the Avant it is below the bumper and no cut is needed. It is visible however, and will rust if you're in an area with snow and road salt. I brushed the worst of it off and then sprayed it with black rust paint to restore the appearance.

[dropshadow]

On the Avant it is below the bumper and no cut is needed. It is visible however, and will rust if you're in an area with snow and road salt. I brushed the worst of it off and then sprayed it with black rust paint to restore the appearance.

Thanks for the info. I'll if I can find some photos of it on an allroad. I just wonder if the car will be too low to use a hitch like this.

[jfo]

Thanks for the info. I'll if I can find some photos of it on an allroad. I just wonder if the car will be too low to use a hitch like this.

Do you have an Allroad? It will be fine. The Allroad is higher than the Avant and I never had a any problems with mine.

[Gts*Jason]

If you are worried about sag in the rear from it being too low you can always add these

http://www.truckspring.com/suspensio...000-60814.aspx

Im not sure if this kit will work or not but an air spring would help keep the back from sagging when towing.

[dropshadow]

Do you have an Allroad? It will be fine. The Allroad is higher than the Avant and I never had a any problems with mine.

I'm picking up an allroad this weekend. What I meant was that I plan to lower the car, so I don't know if the Curt hitch will scrape on steep inclines or driveways, etc.

[dropshadow]

If you are worried about sag in the rear from it being too low you can always add these

http://www.truckspring.com/suspensio...000-60814.aspx

Im not sure if this kit will work or not but an air spring would help keep the back from sagging when towing.

I'll never use the hitch for anything other than a bike mount, and that will only be when I'm also using my roof box. We have an SUV with a hitch to tow anything heavy.

[jfo]

I'll never use the hitch for anything other than a bike mount, and that will only be when I'm also using my roof box. We have an SUV with a hitch to tow anything heavy.

As you know, it will depend on how much you lower it and what type of inclines you expect in normal driving. You could always tape a piece of 2x2 lumber to the bottom of the bumper after it's lowered and experiment!

[dawus05]

For those considering a hitch on their AR, here are some pictures with the Curt 11195 hitch ($150 from Amazon). It was professionally installed and required a small punch hole into the heat shield. Attached is a 1up rack and I cannot say enough good things about that product. Overall I'm pretty happy with the setup.

[GrtShrk]

Here is another hitch option: http://torkliftcentral.com/2009-2016...lroad-ecohitch

I have not installed it or seen it in person but it looks like a good product.

Like that it is most of the unit hidden up under the bumper.

Option of 1.25 or 2" reciever. Tongue load of 200 lbs and 2000 lbs of tow capacity.

$276 w/ free Fed Ex ground shipping.

- Bob

http://torkliftcentral.com/2009-2016...lroad-ecohitch