Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg, Audi Q7 owners

[n2916s]

Well, you have the 888 previous posts you could read through.

Fundamentally, there are two schools of thought: “Take CanAm RV’s advice” and “Buy at least a 3/4 ton diesel truck or you are going to die”.

The 3/4 ton diesel school also inevitably will include the “if you take the advice of the Canadian guy, your insurance won’t pay when you wreck”.

Good luck, sir.

[Flathead1984]

Originally Posted by Ken J

Wondering if anyone has had any experience towing with the V-6 gasser ?

I do. 2016 Exec V6. This is our only vehicle, so we wanted something comfortable to use when not towing. Looked at diesel PU, but very expensive and a bit noisy.

Dealer installed Equalizer WD Hitch. I only have 2000 miles, but so far, it has been a good experience. The 25 FC RBT follows it like it is not there.

I have decided to add the CanAm reinforcement. Not sure it is essential, but for the price, I think it is worth it. However, my VW service manager told me he has never seen a damaged factory hitch on a Touareg. So , probably overkill.

Right now, do not know when the border will open again, so probably will stay with what I have. I am going to Colonial Airstream and having their Equalizer specialist do a tweaking and adjustment if necessary.

Ed

[Flathead1984]

I also found the same conflicting advice on both Touareg and CanAm modification. I am going to check with my insurance agent about the modification.

Every one who tows with Q7, Cayanne, or Touareg seem to love it. Many with many, many miles under their belt. My only concern is tongue wt. VW reduced the tongue wt, but they have a reputation for being on the conservative side. I tow a 25 FC RBT. I have adjusted the packing to reduce the tongue wt.

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by mjwcubed

I have now purchased a 2020 Globetrotter 25 Twin - and now a bit nervous about towing with my Cayenne.

Don't be nervous. It'll be great. I was running down traffic while I was towing our 25FB through the twisty Ozark mountains.

[Sweendk]

Originally Posted by mjwcubed

Hi, new to whole towing....have towed my 17 FC 23FB with my 2017 Cayenne S. Towed with a new Equalizer on it.

I have now purchased a 2020 Globetrotter 25 Twin - and now a bit nervous about towing with my Cayenne....I have had a few communications with Andy at Can Am, but wanted to reach out to this "ask a friend(s)" knowing how much expertise is on this site. Truly thank you in advance - as know the very subjective topic (yet still science and physics) topic of TVs often make some insane:-)

again, thanks in advance for your kind opinions:-)

I'm not sure what you're nervous about..

Like a couple of other posters here, my experience with a '16S and 25FB has been wonderful. Up and down Colorado passes with no sweat. The only time the trailer pushed me around uncomfortably was in a massive storm in Kansas.

I suppose if I were towing regularly and long distances I might test drive a truck (I'm not sure I could stand it). My Cayenne is my daily driver, so it was the best compromise, IMHO.

Regards,
Kirk
PS: No hitch modifications... I'm not comfortable pinning the rear, rubber mounted, sub-frame to the the hitch (and unibody).

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by mjwcubed

Hi, new to whole towing....have towed my 17 FC 23FB with my 2017 Cayenne S. Towed with a new Equalizer on it.

I have now purchased a 2020 Globetrotter 25 Twin - and now a bit nervous about towing with my Cayenne....I have had a few communications with Andy at Can Am, but wanted to reach out to this "ask a friend(s)" knowing how much expertise is on this site. Truly thank you in advance - as know the very subjective topic (yet still science and physics) topic of TVs often make some insane:-)

again, thanks in advance for your kind opinions:-)

Your comment "now a bit nervous", kind of says it all, right? Safety and utility (payload) in a TV are important. A 25' AS can be "towed" by just about any vehicle...question is more about handling, braking, power to get up those hills at highway speeds, and what about carrying extra payload? Your know you just opened up another thread to subjective comments from the "experts" here. Having owned 3 different 25' AS's with 3- different TV's (2-GM Tahoe SUV's and finally an F150 EB), I would at least get a longer wheel base TV designed for the task, such as a 1/2T PU or perhaps longer wheel base SUV if you want to stay in that category. Some folks even like the diesel 3/4T, but with a 25' I felt the 1/2T models that are out there now are pretty good assuming you get one with at least a 1500lb payload rating on the door jamb, and larger size engine with lots of torque. Good luck...will be interesting to see the "other" replies coming in now.

[ROBERT CROSS]

^
Yes...consider carefully.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Mr. Merk]

I think 406tq at 1,350rpm in your Cayenne S will be plenty for the 25'. I've pulled with both my 1/2 ton and the Cayenne. The Cayenne performed SO much better, not even a comparison. Jury is still out on the Duramax I just picked up.

PS: This thread is specific to owners of Cayenne, Touareg & Q7/8 owners, and this fellow Airstreamer & Cayenne owner is asking for our opinion based on our experience with the same setup. People who have experience with other setups will come in and flex just to stir the pot. It's a shame.

[mjwcubed]

thank you...and new while new to the forum, I did read many older threads. But this post was a natural curiosity of perhaps some new thinking/knowledge. With that - appreciate your comments. But not a sir:-) thanks!

[mjwcubed]

thank you for your kindness in your response...some of us can read threads, ask for more data - and still try to process new data points - thank you for your comments!

[thewarden]

I have towed a 27FB many thousands of trouble-free miles with my Cayenne. You do need to be mindful of the limited cargo capacity. The tongue weight of a 25GT is more than the 27FB, so that is a consideration. After you have set up your WD hitch correctly, hit the nearest scale and weigh your rig and pay special attention to the rear axle weights, you do not want to exceed your vehicle's rear axle capacity.

Regarding the length of the hitch ball from the bumper, mine measures 12.5 inches from the centre of the pin hole to the centre of the ball putting the ball about 9 inches from the bumper. I have no problem opening my rear hatch while hooked up at this distance.

[ARF]

MJ - happy to share my experience, but not opinion.

We have been towing our 27FB Flying Cloud since mid-2016 with our Audi Q5 TDI. We bought our trailer from CanAm and they reinforced the Curt receiver and built a custom hitch ball. The hitch ball is mounted very close to the bumper. They also installed/provided WD and anti-sway bars. To reduce tongue weight, we do not carry a trailer spare. CanAm also installed one of those nifty locking mounts on the A-Frame for a Honda generator, but we not have put one there due to tongue weight considerations. Once I upgrade my AGM batteries to LiFePo, I will cut about 70lbs of weight and we will have the option of carrying a generator on the A-Frame.

We have not had any issues by towing with the Q5. We full-timed for 12 months and drove over 30K mile through 2017. Since then we have towed the AS for another 15K miles. We have gone over passes dozens of times. We now live on the Continental Divide and cannot go anywhere without going over a pass. I have never had any concerns going up or down passes. Our speed can drop to 45mph going up the steeper passes, and I am always careful to go down a pass no faster than our uphill speed.

We enjoy using my everyday car as our tow vehicle. I get about 14-15 mpg while towing and 28-30mpg when not towing (even better when not at 10K' elevation).

As for insurance, we checked with our insurance company and they do not have any issues with our rig. I have also talked to state troopers and sheriffs in several states and they have never issued citations for "under-specified" tow vehicles.

I will also admit that I do have truck envy (for some of the reasons listed below), but cannot fit a truck in our garage. We get 200-500" of snow a year and I do not want to dig out a pickup several times a week.

Here are some of my pros and cons of using our Q5 TDI for a TV:

Pros:
- Fuel efficiency - especially when not towing
- Quiet ride
- Don't need an extra vehicle just for towing
- Very stable, low center of gravity riding experience (I know other posters may "think" differently, but they probably have not ridden in a setup like this)
- Smaller TV means smaller garage and parking spot.
- A lot of fun coming up with cute answers at parks and gas stations when other RVers ask "You tow with that?"

Cons:
- Limited cargo space (which encourages us to carry less "stuff")
- Slower speeds on passes
- Limited ability to carry gear on A-frame (bikes, generator, etc)
- Lower clearance - we cannot access many boondock sites that can be reached by larger SUVs or pickups.
- Limited turning angles for backing up. As I mentioned, our hitch ball is mounted very close to the Q5 rear bumper. Thus, I cannot make those nice right angle back-ins that can be made with a pickup and big hitch assembly. It means I have to do a couple of more forwards and backs to get into a tight spot.
- Several small dents in our rear bumper (see above). But I figure when we are done towing with this vehicle, a new bumper will cost less than a pro-pride or similar hitch.

I hope this experience will help you make the best decision for your needs. I see that you are in Boulder. If you want to meet here in Summit County to see our setup or discuss further in person, feel free to message me.

Best, Allen

[mjwcubed]

thank you - I am torn to get a truck, but man do I love my Cayenne!

[matthewk]

Originally Posted by travco72

Looks too far to me. I would send the picture directly to Can Am and ask for advice. Here is a sample picture provided by Can Am on other discussions showing how close is optimum.

I have the shank Can-Am makes. It's very short compared to what comes with most WD hitches.

[Mr. Merk]

UPDATE:

As I've stated before, we've been using our 2008 Cayenne Turbo or my 2005 1/2 ton GMC to pull our campers.

I just picked up a 2005 2500 Duramax and pulled the Airstream home on Saturday. Just flat hwy and a little interstate. While incredibly "steady" feeling going down the road, the turbo diesel has way less pulling power and the brakes weren't great either.

I know a 2020 Duramax has 150 more hp & 300 lb-ft more tq, but my trailers match my tow vehicles in age and affordability.

The diesel already has a catless 4" exhaust and I'm looking a Banks "programmer" (not the "tuner" like the PO had installed.)

I know the truck will afford more payload and I may get to do more offroading in Colorado with it. It will also be much cheaper on fuel, but I'm having second thoughts and think we may use the Cayenne to pull the Airstream this fall when going to the Smokies.

[mikextr]

@gypsydad
An expert should at least own a Cayenne, Touareg or Q7/8 and have experience towing with one before commenting on this thread. You don't meet that minimum requirement. Obviously you are a truck expert. Please share your expertise on another thread.

[vanster]

There is an interesting Youtube video demonstrating a Cayenne going thru a slalom course towing a race car on a trailer. Having towed a race car with a Cayenne and my AS with my Touareg (same car) you can easily see how the cars react compared to an F150 for example.
Keep in mind towing a race car the center of gravity is much higher and the trailers do not have the torsion bar axles that and AS has.

[Tom_T]

Originally Posted by mikextr

@gypsydad
An expert should at least own a Cayenne, Touareg or Q7/8 and have experience towing with one before commenting on this thread. You don't meet that minimum requirement. Obviously you are a truck expert. Please share your expertise on another thread.

He's a CT owner & says so in his FIRST sentence, so read them carefully:

"UPDATE:

As I've stated before, we've been using our 2008 Cayenne Turbo or my 2005 1/2 ton GMC to pull our campers."

Tom
///////

[Tom_T]

Originally Posted by Mr. Merk

UPDATE:

As I've stated before, we've been using our 2008 Cayenne Turbo or my 2005 1/2 ton GMC to pull our campers.

I just picked up a 2005 2500 Duramax and pulled the Airstream home on Saturday. Just flat hwy and a little interstate. While incredibly "steady" feeling going down the road, the turbo diesel has way less pulling power and the brakes weren't great either.

I know a 2020 Duramax has 150 more hp & 300 lb-ft more tq, but my trailers match my tow vehicles in age and affordability.

The diesel already has a catless 4" exhaust and I'm looking a Banks "programmer" (not the "tuner" like the PO had installed.)

I know the truck will afford more payload and I may get to do more offroading in Colorado with it. It will also be much cheaper on fuel, but I'm having second thoughts and think we may use the Cayenne to pull the Airstream this fall when going to the Smokies.

Merk,

We've rented the RAM 2500 Duramax & Gas, which has less brake swept area & pistons, than the Cayenne's brakes, & especially if you have the upgrades in your CT. Even with our vintage kin Avion T20 (3000-3500# wet & loaded) it's a white-knuckler in a panic stop when a fool cuts in front of us.

Also - even with more HP/TQ - the RAM weighs a lot more empty, so you should be comparing curb weight lbs per HP & per TQ between the two, & I'm sure that the CT still comes out ahead. I'd look to the truck crowd for input on the upgrades, & whether Banks etc. negate the warranty, either the TV forum here, &/or at Trailer Life magazine, etc.

IMHO, your CT will be more comfortable & safer in the Smokies, than the RAM - & it will certainly handle better on those twisties - & definitely on "The Dragon" & other similar back routes. Its shorter TV length & overall rig length will also be an advantage in tight spots, CGs, etc.

Those Smokies aren't your Ozarks - & we've traveled both in our VW Westfalia (seriously underpowered with only 4 squirrels) and other cars (not towed at either, but have towed SoCal & Central Cal mountains).

Travel Safe!
Tom
///////

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by Tom_T

He's a CT owner & says so in his FIRST sentence, so read them carefully:

He wasn't referring to my post.

Originally Posted by mikextr

@gypsydad
An expert should at least own a Cayenne, Touareg or Q7/8 and have experience towing with one before commenting on this thread. You don't meet that minimum requirement. Obviously you are a truck expert. Please share your expertise on another thread.

Also - even with more HP/TQ - the RAM weighs a lot more empty, so you should be comparing curb weight lbs per HP & per TQ between the tw

That's just it, the Cayenne already has 200 more hp and just a little less torque than the Duramax. The Duramax outweighs it by 500-1000lbs. I should go weigh them at the nearby CAT scales.

I'd look to the truck crowd for input on the upgrades, & whether Banks etc. negate the warranty

Well, it is 15 years old with 175k miles so that ship has sailed

your CT will be more comfortable & safer in the Smokies, than the RAM - & it will certainly handle better on those twisties - & definitely on "The Dragon."

That's what I'm thinking. I've done the dragon on two separate occasions in my air-cooled 911. What a workout!