It pays to check with Car Manufacture (Audi Q5)

[skinzy]

I have been trying to determine if my new Audi SQ5 can tow an AS Sport 16 safely. Many opinions on subject. One person even said their Q5 transmission blew out towing 2200lbs with a vehicle rating of 4400lbs. I called Audi directly and the person I talked with researched the subject. He called back today and said it would be no problem IF I installed an Audi brand hitch. It turns out this hitch includes electronics than alter engine and transmission performance that prevents burnout of both. Also WD hitch not to be used for similar reason. Thus using third party hitches to save money is a big mistake. It pays to do your research!

[SafariSS]

I chuckle at the european manufacturers ratings. They do not allow WD hitches on thier vehicles, which trailers in the US have greater tongue weight that in Europe so you are really limited by the tongue weight before trailer weight. In the US 10-15% tongue weight is common, not the 6% common in europe.

Should be good with a Sport 16 anyway..

[skinzy]

Originally Posted by SafariSS

I chuckle at the european manufacturers ratings. They do not allow WD hitches on thier vehicles, which trailers in the US have greater tongue weight that in Europe so you are really limited by the tongue weight before trailer weight. In the US 10-15% tongue weight is common, not the 6% common in europe.

Should be good with a Sport 16 anyway..

Tongue weight is 440 or 10%

[jdalrymple]

Originally Posted by skinzy

I have been trying to determine if my new Audi SQ5 can tow an AS Sport 16 safely. Many opinions on subject. One person even said their Q5 transmission blew out towing 2200lbs with a vehicle rating of 4400lbs. I called Audi directly and the person I talked with researched the subject. He called back today and said it would be no problem IF I installed an Audi brand hitch. It turns out this hitch includes electronics than alter engine and transmission performance that prevents burnout of both. Also WD hitch not to be used for similar reason. Thus using third party hitches to save money is a big mistake. It pays to do your research!

Not to be the wiseacre in the crowd, but ask him to send you that in writing, including the extension of any warranty to include coverage while towing the trailer.

Remember, they are in the business of selling cars and dealer-supllied parts.

Regards,

JD

[dkottum]

This is a repeat post from another thread, so I'll repeat my response.

skinzy, Audi has no new technology here and the OEM hitch is just a common receiver. It is not part of the SQ5's electronic sway control, which has been around for some years.

The "third party hitch" referred to on this thread is a weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control, which Audi does not sell.

Although many people are able to successfully use (third party) w.d. hitches on unibody SUV's, many will also screw up installation, adjustment, and/or use, thereby bending or tearing the vehicle's receiver attachment. In other words, wreck the vehicle, lose the trailer, or both.

Manufacturer's won't risk it and who can blame them. Most buyer's use these vehicles for commuting smugly and occasionally pick up a new vacuum cleaner.

doug

[xrvr]

I agree completely. A small error in installation or equipment can mean damage and or injury. Jim

[skinzy]

[QUOTE=dkottum;1346965]
skinzy, Audi has no new technology here and the OEM hitch is just a common receiver. It is not part of the SQ5's electronic sway control, which has been around for some years.

The company did not say "new" technology but rather that their hitch comes with controller electronics that works with the cars stabilization and drive system. Source was Audi engineer. Makes sense to me. I also don't believe RV installers are expert on all vehicles past and present.

PS got my new vacuum cleaner today! What a comfy ride.

[skinzy]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

Not to be the wiseacre in the crowd, but ask him to send you that in writing, including the extension of any warranty to include coverage while towing the trailer.

Remember, they are in the business of selling cars and dealer-supllied parts.

Regards,

JD

Seems like the same can be said of RV dealers? In the business of selling their RVs and hitch add ons.

[jdalrymple]

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly.

And they won't put it in writing, either.


Regards,

JD

[murreywalker]

I'm really blown away by the folks out there that want to stretch the spec'd limits of their vehicle's towing capability.

AND they will let a towing specialist retrofit their vehicle with herculean receiver retrofits that will allow their vehicle to tow well over their specs. That's not for me.

My last trailer was a 23 FC, and I towed it with a MB GL 450. And it towed well, including trips into the Rockies. It never missed a lick in terms of power to spare.

HOWEVER…I believe any one who drives the same vehicle for an extended period of time becomes intimately familiar with said vehicle's idiosyncrasies.

I personally detected a distinct change in my MB's tranny over a period of two years; particularly when the vehicle wasn't towing our trailer. And, it was a change for the worse.

I just don't believe Detroit's and Europe's SUV's and lighter weight trucks are designed (with regard to their transmission) to consistently tow the weight that most newer Airstreams have grown to.

Just my very humble opinion. ;-)

[Jim Flower]

Originally Posted by skinzy

I have been trying to determine if my new Audi SQ5 can tow an AS Sport 16 safely. Many opinions on subject. One person even said their Q5 transmission blew out towing 2200lbs with a vehicle rating of 4400lbs. I called Audi directly and the person I talked with researched the subject. He called back today and said it would be no problem IF I installed an Audi brand hitch. It turns out this hitch includes electronics than alter engine and transmission performance that prevents burnout of both. Also WD hitch not to be used for similar reason. Thus using third party hitches to save money is a big mistake. It pays to do your research!

Hi skinzy, I believe your dealer is partly correct in that your vehicle will have no problem towing your AS Sport 16 safely. I do not believe he is correct in recommending no weight distribution component to go along with the hitch system, although he is following the company line and cannot do otherwise. The hitch itself does not include an electrical component but the hitch package you buy from the dealer does. The electrical component is a part that can be purchased by itself and is used to marry a brake controller to Audi's electrical system so that it can do all the fancy stuff that it has to do inorder not to launch itself into outer space. The good folks on the form are just trying to share their considerable experience and help you have a great experience with your Airstream. Weight distribution is a good thing and will help your Audi maintain its awesome performance with the Airstream in tow. Jim

[etobolski]

Originally Posted by murreywalker

I just don't believe Detroit's and Europe's SUV's and lighter weight trucks are designed (with regard to their transmission) to consistently tow the weight that most newer Airstreams have grown to.

Just my very humble opinion. ;-)

I'd have to agree. After getting ready to put a third transmission in a 2011 F-150 in about 50,000 miles, about 13,000 towing a 22 sport, even the current 1/2 tons didn't seem up to the task of towing.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by etobolski

I'd have to agree. After getting ready to put a third transmission in a 2011 F-150 in about 50,000 miles, about 13,000 towing a 22 sport, even the current 1/2 tons didn't seem up to the task of towing.

Do you have the tow package and a useful rear axle ratio? (3.55 or 3.73)

My '07 F150 has 70000 miles with about 10k of towing a '75 Argosy24 since 2011, and it's still operating normally so far. Factory tow package, 5.4L V8, 3.55 diff, 2WD.

[skinzy]

Originally Posted by etobolski

I'd have to agree. After getting ready to put a third transmission in a 2011 F-150 in about 50,000 miles, about 13,000 towing a 22 sport, even the current 1/2 tons didn't seem up to the task of towing.

This is the kind of real world information that scares me. Were the failures a result of heat?

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by etobolski

I'd have to agree. After getting ready to put a third transmission in a 2011 F-150 in about 50,000 miles, about 13,000 towing a 22 sport, even the current 1/2 tons didn't seem up to the task of towing.

It is highly unlikely pulling a 22' Sport 13,000 miles caused three transmission failures in a 2011 F-150. There's something else going on here.

doug

[etobolski]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Do you have the tow package and a useful rear axle ratio? (3.55 or 3.73)

My '07 F150 has 70000 miles with about 10k of towing a '75 Argosy24 since 2011, and it's still operating normally so far. Factory tow package, 5.4L V8, 3.55 diff, 2WD.

Had the 3.55 ratio, tow mirrors, and brake controller from the factory. Rated plenty high enough with the right equipment to tow a 4500# GVW trailer even though it didn't have the MAX tow package.

Originally Posted by skinzy

This is the kind of real world information that scares me. Were the failures a result of heat?

First was the result of a seal blowing out and causing the fluid to leak out while traveling. Said to have been a manufacturing defect on a limited number of trucks. Dealership that did the repair also said they'd done repairs or replacements on quite a few of them though. From the time the warning light came on until stopping was a couple miles, and by then it was nearly empty and burned up. The replacement, new unit not a reman I'm told, never seemed right. It would do things like shift a couple of times while sitting still at traffic lights, and make random downshifts for no apparent reason or seem to be stuck between gears for far too long while shifting. Problems kept getting more and more frequent, but of course no problems could be created on demand and the problem could never be diagnosed. Seemed more like a problem with the computer controls rather than a heat issue to me though. The truck wasn't included in the TSB that would have reprogramed the transmission though, so I was told that wouldn't be done without coming out of pocket. After this happened more and more the transmission started to have problems with slipping and seemingly getting stuck in gear. Time to bail on the truck as a result, and from what I was told the transmission was replaced shortly thereafter.

[Big C]

Ah yes, another TV thread debate. Love these, since like hitches it in the end everyone benefits from user experiences.
Personally, I love my truck. It will tow anything put behind it. The new built in tow package is no comparison to prior years. Yes, if you exceed 65 mph you will pop some rivets due to the suspension, done that-learned. Currently researching the Air-Safe hitch for our truck.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by dkottum

It is highly unlikely pulling a 22' Sport 13,000 miles caused three transmission failures in a 2011 F-150. There's something else going on here.

doug

Something else is going on here. Everybody has pretty darn good transmissions for the last few years. Even the factory approved remans have been good.
In my experience, when I see multiple transmission failures in succession, I find that an improper/incomplete cooler and line flushing has occurred. Any residual metal fragments in the system will result in another failure in short order. If I ever have a trans failure, I would ensure proper multiple flushes AND install a filter in the return line from the cooler.

[JFScheck]

Heads up Cayenne\Touareg\Q7 & Q5 Folks....

Although a "hitch is a hitch" - the important thing to remember for those that do not order these VW based German SUV’s with the tow package is to get it to the dealer so either:
A: An electronics module can be placed inline as part of the tow package
B: The vehicle can be re-flashed either to activate the electronics module or adjust parameters for newer electronics

The above based on the year of your vehicle…

My point - don't just go add a hitch to these vehicles, there is one more step to perform if you so wish to use them when towing any trailer.

Now my comments on the use of weight distribution (WD) and these vehicles (minus the Q5). If your vehicle has a steel rear suspension (no air bags), WD is great but with an air suspension system on these vehicles there is much debate to the load the airbags can handle and it is NOT suggested to exceed the max tongue weight of 770lbs (660 for the Q7 - don't know for Q5) of the tow vehicle. Again, if your using a ProPride or HaHa hitch, then you can exceed the tongue weight of the trailer BUT we all agree to use local scales to ensure you maintain within your GVWR...

A quick search of our Forum will being up said discussion - in nauseam...

[Wayne&Sam]

[QUOTE=skinzy;1346974]

Originally Posted by dkottum

got my new vacuum cleaner today! What a comfy ride.

You must have a big house to need a riding vacuum cleaner. Riding lawn mowers I can understand, but a riding Vacuum cleaner?