Towing: deep in the weeds and way over my head...

[Mizmo412]

Hi guys (well I assume most of you are guys.)

I've been doing a heckalot of research about the towing capacity of my 2017 SQ5. What I've read seems to be for the Q5, not the SQ5, which has the bigger V6 engine.

I bought my SQ5 for its small size and towing capacity of 4400 lbs. So I bought a 3400 lb trailer and can't imagine ever getting close to carrying 1000 lbs. What I didn't know about is tongue weight. My trailer is single axle and tongue weight is suprisingly heavy. So tongue weight is an issue for my rig. I know some people use weight distribution hitches, but the Q5 is a unibody and specifically says not to use a wdh; I'm not doing it.

The threads I've read have been helpful, but as you'd expect, guidance is not consistent among owners. One thread leads me to another and another...

So here's my current question -- WHY THE DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE IN TOW CAPACITY FOR THE SQ5 VS THE Q7?
The engine is the same.
The weight difference is marginal; SQ5 is 4400lbs and Q7 is 4900lbs. I've read that tow weight should not exceed vehicle weight, but the Q7 tow capacity is 2800lbs more than its weight.
The wheelbase is 111" for the Q5 and 118" for the Q7. (I found a source that said 110" is needed for a 20' trailer, which is what I have.)
Transmission is the same for both models.
GVWR is 5490 for the Q5 and 6580 for the Q7; a difference of 990 lbs.

So what makes the Q7 able to tow 3300 lbs more than the SQ5?

Also, I don't know car lingo, but I am tech savvy, so please respond in as simple terms as possible.

Thanks,
Maureen

TV: 2017 SQ5
TT: 2022 Geopro 19FBS

[A4_kamil]

I tow, a lot. Not with the SQ5 would never. I have a truck for all my towing needs.

Ill keep this short. Engine/trans have nothing to do how much a car can tow. Brakes are a bigger factor than those.

You said the q7 is much longer than the sq5, true but when it comes to stability, track width, length and frame reinforcement play a huge part. Even if it is just a little bigger.

If you look at the euro “specs” if the SQ5 it actually shows 5500lb tow rating.

But as you said tongue wait is everything when towing. Would always recommend a dual axle trailer. I tow a 24ft car hauler trailer(5-7000lbs), a 10,000lb boat. They both have dual axles and the stability is better on them than on my 1800lb dual jetski trailer. It shimmies on the highway constantly, my truck doesnt feel it at all. But when i look back its wiggling. My other two trailers dead straight with the truck.

I would check on your single axle rv trailer if it has any adjustment. My jet ski trailer has two places where i could mount the axle. I think some single rv trailers have some anti sway control but dont quote me.


Tire pressure, make sure to pump your tires up. Itll help the car feel not as spongey.

Lastly, hitch. I run a b&w height adj height hitch on the truck. Since you cant run a wdh youll need to try to keep the trailer level with the car. As in have it as high as you can to push the weight back onto the trailer axles. But KEEP IT LEVEL. If you need to load anything in the trailer or car. Move everything so its behind the axle. If your driving with 4 people in the car thats TONGUE WEIGHT.

Depending on tongue weight youll be bottoming out your suspension most likely.


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[A4_kamil]

Also you said tow weight shouldnt exceed vehicle weight. Thats false.

My truck weight almost 6000lbs but tows 11000.

Same with semis they can tow upwards of 40,000lbs. While they weight anywhere from 10-20,000lbs


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[Norskie]

I'm no expert but I'm guessing it has a lot to do with the construction of the body of the vehicle; the Q7 is a whole different platform than the SQ5.

[Mizmo412]

Thanks for the clear explanation and pointing me to the European Specs. This makes a huge difference in my situation. When I searched for the European specs, I found 5300 towing capacity (900 more than US) and 1400 payload (350 more than US.). The only reason for the difference is US requirementt? There's no difference in the car itself?

I'm on my third ball hitch; this one is adjustable and the trailer and car look level. The car sinks about 2" in the rear; I'll measure the front the next time I hook up.

I'm confused about your comment that people in the car are tongue weight. I thought people, cargo and tongue weight all count against payload. It will be one or two people in the car; and the Audi curb weight assumes a 150lb driver and a full tank of gas. I won't be anywhere close to max payload. If I'm not carrying passengers or heavy cargo in the trunk, can I get away with a bit more tongue weight? I will be sure to check that the rear axle weight is within max rating.

The particular trailer I have is 14% TW dry and the only thing behind the axle is the fridge and shower. Batteries & propane are on the Aframe and exterior passthrough storage is at the front of the trailer beneath the bed. I have been talking with the manufacturer directly, asking how the 1100 cargo capacity can be properly balanced, given the way it is designed. I have a tongue weight scale on order and will be experimentiing with how to balance the trailer. I may either remove a propane tank or put it into the bathroom, and if need be, 1/2 fill the black tank.

[Mizmo412]

Duh; that makes sense. I was singularly focused on towing a travel trailer. Just shows you can't believe everything you read on the internet! Haha!

[Mizmo412]

I have good news! The tongue weight scale came in and I'm at 500lbs. That's including 2 batteries, 2 propane tanks (not completely full) and gear in the passthrough, kitchen dishes, and 50 lbs in the shower -- a gas firepit and an ottoman with pots & pans. Once I put food in the fridge and a cooler or the grill inside the door, I should be there! If I put a bike on the back, I may even be able to put the grill in the passthrough or carry some water.

I'll be within payload capacity, axel capacity, tongue weight capacity, tow capacity and trailer cargo capacity! Worst case I may be slightly over US tongue weight (but within Euro) and with no passengers in the back, I'm not over payload or axel capacity.

I am literally a happy camper!