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Old 12-09-2013, 06:40 PM   #61
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I dunno. The Cayenne diesel can do well over 7000# (not an issue for your 20' trailer with a GVWR of 5000) but the Porsche tongue weight max is 616. Airstream lists your tongue as 635 and most here have commented on how low that number is when compared with actual use.

Moreover, apparently Porsche says no WDH on the Cayenne and claims that's because the suspension is engineered to handle a trailer dropped on the ball.

Last, even if you can get past the trailer and tongue weight issue - what does that leave for passengers, fuel and gear?

Have you talked with your dealer? I can't imagine towing without a WD hitch but if that's what they recommend, "A" might be the right decision. I would definitely recommend a discussion with your Porsche dealer.

Good luck!
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Old 12-10-2013, 05:49 AM   #62
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The issue with the dealer is that they really do not know and they will basically repeat the manufacturer's recommendations. Although I am tempted to give "A" a try, I think that the safety first is something I should stick to.

I'd love to trek North to Canada, but it is just not going to happen anytime soon.

Perhaps, this is now the point for the obvious question . If I go with option "C", what brand of WD hitch would you recommend? For putting strain on the vehicle/AS with the manufacturer hitch installed, how does Hensley/PP compare with the other friction-based hitches? The stories of hitches braking are scary and I am wondering whether risking a breaking hitch by choosing the wrong setup could be worse than option "A"...
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Old 12-10-2013, 06:23 AM   #63
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Don't know how many 'pepper' spurts' we have here.......

Might get some helpful info here.

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Old 12-10-2013, 07:50 AM   #64
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The towing capacity for Cayennes and Touaregs is 7700lbs. The hitch receiver capacity is 10% of that or 770lbs. In Europe, the capacity is rated at 8% or 616lbs, because they do not use WD hitches and entirely different coupler system and the trailers are smaller and lighter. You can tow your 20' trailer in any configuration of A,B,C. However you may find that you will feel more secure and safe with B or C.

You will not need the full capacity of a WD hitch due to the air suspension but with a Hensley, I have found that it is much easier to adjust the distribution of any weight.
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Old 12-11-2013, 01:17 PM   #65
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While air suspensions may adjust the ride height, they won't of course transfer any weight on the axles.
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Old 12-11-2013, 02:21 PM   #66
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Quote:
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While air suspensions may adjust the ride height, they won't of course transfer any weight on the axles.
Yes, but too much weight distribution can affect the air suspension system of a Touareg/Cayenne causing the system to over compensate. It is a true air suspension, there are no shocks or springs, and the car is always compensating for level unlike manual air ride assist found on American vehicles. The point is that the OP is within the weight parameters and if he should decide to use a WD hitch, a HA or PPP have finer adjustments than Reese/Equalizer.
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Old 12-12-2013, 05:47 AM   #67
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While air suspensions may adjust the ride height, they won't of course transfer any weight on the axles.
Air suspension raises the rear of the TV. This transfers weight on axles, in a similar way to WDHs, and levels the vehicle.
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Old 12-12-2013, 06:05 AM   #68
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Air suspension raises the rear of the TV. This transfers weight on axles, in a similar way to WDHs, and levels the vehicle.
..... go to the scales, get some tickets and photo's to prove your hypothesis.

I don't believe you have the leverage needed to transfer enough weight to balance the TV & trailer.

Level is good but WD bars provide the pivot point to facilitate the weight transfer necessary.

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Old 12-12-2013, 09:46 AM   #69
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Will do, but u need to wait till the summer

If you lift the back of the car (via air suspension, WDH bars, or even by hand), the effect is the same. Which method achieves the best result, is a different story though.
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Old 12-12-2013, 11:25 PM   #70
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Yes, but too much weight distribution can affect the air suspension system of a Touareg/Cayenne causing the system to over compensate. It is a true air suspension, there are no shocks or springs, and the car is always compensating for level unlike manual air ride assist found on American vehicles. The point is that the OP is within the weight parameters and if he should decide to use a WD hitch, a HA or PPP have finer adjustments than Reese/Equalizer.
So a HA or PP would be easier for fine tuning; on the other hand, Reese/Equalizer is about 1/5 the the prize and would be ok as well. Our TV (rental) for the holiday trip has an equalizer. We took it out a few weeks ago and I likes the simple setup, quick and straight forward. Still 2 months before the Cayenne is supposed to be arriving, so still time for pondering...
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Old 12-12-2013, 11:27 PM   #71
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BTW,
The rental TV is an F150.
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Old 12-13-2013, 01:06 AM   #72
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Where did you find a place to rent a TV? I have been liking for a winter trip rental...
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Old 12-13-2013, 02:07 PM   #73
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Air suspension does not transfer weight like WDH

Rostam,

I am responding you your comments "Air suspension raises the rear of the TV. This transfers weight on axles, in a similar way to WDHs, and levels the vehicle" and "If you lift the back of the car (via air suspension, WDH bars, or even by hand), the effect is the same".

Actually, air suspensions and WDH hitches have significantly different affects on the vehicle. WDH imparts a rotational force on the tow vehicle, rotating around the hitch. Air suspension expands the suspension of the vehicle in the vertical direction, but makes almost zero change in the forces involved.

I have an SUV with auto-adjusting air suspension in the rear, and I have weighed it at the scales. Here is what I found.

Tow vehicle only, with driver and passenger: 3080 on front axle, 3040 on rear.

Then I hitched the trailer without the WDH bars. I waited for the air suspension to raise the vehicle to its normal height, then weighed again:
2600 on front axle, 4420 on rear axle, 5160 on trailer axles. That rear axle weight is 220 pounds over the manufacturer's stated weight rating.

Then I connected the WDH bars, waited again for the air suspension to stabilize, and weighed again:
3000 on front axle, 3880 on rear axle, 5300 on trailer axles.

So weight distribution really changes the axle loadings.


Note that this trailer is a 25FB. The tongue weight was about 900 pounds on this day.
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Old 12-13-2013, 02:37 PM   #74
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Thank you for posting those real numbers, that's very interesting.
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Old 12-13-2013, 02:39 PM   #75
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I am dreaming about buying a used Porsche Cayenne as a tow vehicle.
What will I have to do to make it so?
Does anyone have experience towing with a Cayenne?
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Old 12-13-2013, 02:40 PM   #76
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Another major advantage of a properly adjusted weight distribution hitch is in performance. Spring bars transfer weight in the direction they're pointed. If you have the hitch ball tilted toward the trailer the inner spring bar unloads when you corner and the outer bar transfers all the weight toward the INSIDE edge of the tow vehicle. It actually causes the tow vehicle lean into a corner, but this performance advantage only occurs if the hitch ball is properly tilted (Step 1 in the EaZ-Lift setup instructions).
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Old 12-13-2013, 03:20 PM   #77
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"Then I connected the WDH bars, waited again for the air suspension to stabilize, and weighed again:
3000 on front axle, 3880 on rear axle, 5300 on trailer axles.

So weight distribution really changes the axle loadings.


Note that this trailer is a 25FB. The tongue weight was about 900 pounds on this day."



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Old 12-13-2013, 10:28 PM   #78
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Where did you find a place to rent a TV? I have been liking for a winter trip rental...
Bay Area airstream, where we got our AS.
Very happy with them.
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Old 12-13-2013, 10:31 PM   #79
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Originally Posted by SSquared View Post
Rostam, I am responding you your comments "Air suspension raises the rear of the TV. This transfers weight on axles, in a similar way to WDHs, and levels the vehicle" and "If you lift the back of the car (via air suspension, WDH bars, or even by hand), the effect is the same". Actually, air suspensions and WDH hitches have significantly different affects on the vehicle. WDH imparts a rotational force on the tow vehicle, rotating around the hitch. Air suspension expands the suspension of the vehicle in the vertical direction, but makes almost zero change in the forces involved. I have an SUV with auto-adjusting air suspension in the rear, and I have weighed it at the scales. Here is what I found. Tow vehicle only, with driver and passenger: 3080 on front axle, 3040 on rear. Then I hitched the trailer without the WDH bars. I waited for the air suspension to raise the vehicle to its normal height, then weighed again: 2600 on front axle, 4420 on rear axle, 5160 on trailer axles. That rear axle weight is 220 pounds over the manufacturer's stated weight rating. Then I connected the WDH bars, waited again for the air suspension to stabilize, and weighed again: 3000 on front axle, 3880 on rear axle, 5300 on trailer axles. So weight distribution really changes the axle loadings. Note that this trailer is a 25FB. The tongue weight was about 900 pounds on this day.
Very useful information.
What kind of hitch are you using?
What is the TV?
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Old 12-13-2013, 11:38 PM   #80
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Tow vehicle details

Knuff,

My tow vehicle is a 2010 Yukon Denali (short wheelbase). The numbers I quoted were when we had a Blue Ox SwapPro hitch. Using that hitch, we experienced a little sway from time to time, enough that we decided to change hitches. The Yukon requires a fairly large drop (the receiver is in the bumper), and the receiver flexes somewhat, which I think messes up the geometry for the Blue Ox.

We had Can-Am reinforce the hitch, and install an EazLift hitch. The rig is more stable now. Andy T. has us set up with heavier bars and more weight transfer. On this vehicle, you can feel the difference when you change the tightness of the chains--more chain tension increases stability going down the road.

I don't have experience with the more sophisticated SUVs like the VW, Porsche, and BMW, so I wouldn't recommend hitch brand or target weights based on my experience.
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