View Full Version : Towing with an A4?
Steeze
02-12-2011, 07:09 PM
Thinking about getting myself into an a4 in the future but i have 1 question i cannot seem to get some decent answers to. The dealership told me what i wanted to hear, but it's probably because they just wanted to sell me a car...
So who's towed with their a4? the dealership claims it won't have a problem launching and towing my 17' fiberglass bass boat on the occassional 3 hour trip which weighs a fair amount less than 3,000lb which is the max limit for a Class 1 hitch that can be put on the car. But instead of making a decision based on numbers, I was hoping some of you have personal experience with it. How do you feel your car tows? What do you tow? Ever launch or land a boat? Do you feel like the car and its 2.0t is perfectly capable of doing so?
Any info would be appreciated. Since threads are useless without pics, here's my current daily (the grey one):
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4892688238_036352e099_b.jpg
deeznuts
02-12-2011, 07:13 PM
Youre silly
Steeze
02-12-2011, 07:25 PM
some people i ask say i'm crazy and others say it really isn't that big of a deal. i would RARELY take it on long trips, it'd be moreso for launching/landing the boat right here in the city i live. just wondering if it's doable, safely of course.
and pic of said boat (i dont tow it with my jetta, never have and never would, it's just parked in front is all):
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/7755/img010h.jpg
garymonnecka
02-12-2011, 07:26 PM
If you tow it with the jetta I don't see why not...
But I don't know much about towing
Steeze
02-12-2011, 07:31 PM
If you tow it with the jetta I don't see why not...
But I don't know much about towing
i dont tow it with the jetta. the pic was just a result of strategic parking, heh.
tiptron
02-12-2011, 07:35 PM
I tow alot.... And I would never tow anything with my audi, ever.
mr shickadance
02-12-2011, 07:38 PM
you could tow it.....having said that i dont think you should tow it, it would be a pretty high strain on the transmission and if you have an auto i would say its a mistake and your only asking for trouble down the road....maybe with a manual tranny i could see it working better bc fishing boats are relatively light
jm121189
02-12-2011, 07:39 PM
As long as you don't drive like an idiot while towing it should be ok. Only thing I would worry about is how the hitch is mounted to the frame and the frame it self. You will have plenty of power and brakes will be fine. Only thing I would worry about is depending on the ramp you might have to put the back of the car partially under water.
Steeze
02-12-2011, 07:49 PM
Only thing I would worry about is depending on the ramp you might have to put the back of the car partially under water.
Well my thought with this is to go air ride. Either way the car will be on air, but after speaking with BagYard they claim their bags are rated for higher capacities than i'd need and I will not have any issues with blowouts if i wanted to tow my boat. So raise 'er up when puttin the boat in the water, and then slam 'er down when parked. It'll void the warranty on the cars suspension components but who cares about that stuff anyway? :)
Thoughts?
Mc Suly
02-12-2011, 08:10 PM
I think everyone here pretty much voided there cars suspension components haha!!!
Towing with the A4?
Never seen it with a boat.
If i were too i would go stage 3 & Brembos ;)
B7A4WD
02-12-2011, 08:31 PM
IT COULD BE DONE! get an s4. just saying.
{PMS}fishy
02-12-2011, 08:38 PM
For reference a Q5 is rated at 4400 lbs towing. The Q5 shares the new A4 platform.
If it is mostly flat I don't see why not. I wouldn't want to try to drag anything uphill or try to stop on the way down.
GarrettReid
02-12-2011, 08:48 PM
Don't chance it. Get a pickup.
4squared
02-12-2011, 09:38 PM
The guy who had my a4 before me must have as there is a hitch on it. Buy one and I'll sell you my hitch cheap.
mr shickadance
02-13-2011, 07:09 AM
I think everyone here pretty much voided there cars suspension components haha!!!
Towing with the A4?
Never seen it with a boat.
If i were too i would go stage 3 & Brembos ;)
1) i dont think its about voiding suspension components, i think this is more about the strain you would put on your transmission, but again, fishing boats are super light and on paper it should work, i think it would be atkin to something like those uhaul trailers you see on peoples sedans
2) i didn't think of this until you pointed it out.....this is a great arguement for the wifey/gf towards pushing your car into stage 3+ "but honey, everyone who is anyone knows that a gt28 is the best option for towing my fishing boat"
peta8368
02-13-2011, 07:32 AM
I have a class I towing hitch on my car, and I have towed a 5x8 u-haul enclosed trailer with it. The hitch is actually only rated for 2000lbs. The max I have towed is 2500lbs, cargo and trailer combined. The hitch is mounted to the spare tire well, and that's where the factory tow hook is welded to as well. There IS a hitch from Europe that's rated for 4000lbs or so, and that one mounts to the frame through the bumper support.
I am actually thinking that an auto with a tranny cooler would do the job better.
I was once stuck on an freeway on-ramp (with an incline of perhaps 20 degrees) for about 5 minutes while moving forward every 20-30 seconds, and the clutch was NOT liking it.
Here's my advice if you do decide to do it:
1. keep the brake system healthy, that will keep the endeavor safe, and that's the most important part.
2. Keep the engine rpm up so you don't lug the engine.
3. drive slower and sensible.
Peter
Elias
02-13-2011, 01:26 PM
No problems, there are many A4's here which are towing caravans which weigh approx 2000-3000 lbs,
As long as you don't tune the car and try to overtake the hills on 6:th gear, which is the weakest one in the transmission.
It's better to downshift and cause less stress, but towing will normally cause your clutch to break faster.
Übermensch
02-13-2011, 02:47 PM
By the look of your pic, I can't see why your car couldn't handle the intermittent use of towing the a boat that small.
But if you have to question it, maybe you shouldn't chance it.
Homer
02-13-2011, 05:26 PM
Yeah it really shouldn't be a problem. Most europeans wouldn't think twice. They don't have the option of buying a bro truck just to tow things.
RedS-line
02-13-2011, 07:22 PM
if your boat docks are anything like around here then you would have to back the car so deep in the water that id be worried about hydrolock more than towing. at the docks you use, do you see people with small cars launching boats your size without being submerged? I think you should find something else if a boat is your priority, something like a subaru forester xt or even a vw tiguan. If you do get an A4 def dont lower it if youre gonna tow but i dont know anything about air bags so take it for what its worth. Towing wise, it should be able to tow that little boat fine but a chip and a mild transmission cooler upgrade would make it easy. How much does it weigh again?
mr shickadance
02-13-2011, 07:42 PM
if your boat docks are anything like around here then you would have to back the car so deep in the water that id be worried about hydrolock more than towing. at the docks you use, do you see people with small cars launching boats your size without being submerged? I think you should find something else if a boat is your priority, something like a subaru forester xt or even a vw tiguan. If you do get an A4 def dont lower it if youre gonna tow but i dont know anything about air bags so take it for what its worth. Towing wise, it should be able to tow that little boat fine but a chip and a mild transmission cooler upgrade would make it easy. How much does it weigh again?
hydro-lock? really? i feel like with the OEM intake set up you would have to try extremely hard to hydrolock this car
i'd think you would worry about water getting into the back seat before you had an issue with hydrolock
rjkotler
02-14-2011, 10:20 AM
I had a B5 A4 2.8 Q that I used to tow my 22 foot catamaran (sailboat) with. I did around town stuff with it and it was no problem. If you have an automatic transmission then think about adding a transmission cooler and you will be fine. It is a pretty easy project you should be able to do yourself.
The location and attachment point in the B5 is the same as it is for the B6/B7. It feels solid enough to get the job done for around town stuff. For really long trips I would borrow a truck or SUV.
The class 1 hitch is rated for 2,000 LBS gross trailer weight and 200 LBS tongue weight. Really keep an eye on your tongue weight and you should be in good shape.
Steeze
02-14-2011, 10:27 AM
I had a B5 A4 2.8 Q that I used to tow my 22 foot catamaran (sailboat) with. I did around town stuff with it and it was no problem. If you have an automatic transmission then think about adding a transmission cooler and you will be fine. It is a pretty easy project you should be able to do yourself.
The location and attachment point in the B5 is the same as it is for the B6/B7. It feels solid enough to get the job done for around town stuff. For really long trips I would borrow a truck or SUV.
The class 1 hitch is rated for 2,000 LBS gross trailer weight and 200 LBS tongue weight. Really keep an eye on your tongue weight and you should be in good shape.
good to see someone with first-hand experience. how comfortable do you feel when youre launching/landing the boat? towing isnt quite as big of a concern as actually putting in or bringing it out is.
Leo14
02-14-2011, 10:27 AM
Borrow a truck truck, that way you wont have to question anything
rjkotler
02-14-2011, 10:53 AM
I was very comfortable with the launch and landing. The car has pleanty of power and the AWD has all the traction you need. Just be sure to keep your exhaust out of the water and give it a quick spray down with a hose if possilbe.
Boushard
12-29-2011, 12:28 PM
Sorry to up this old thread, but I just received my hitch for christmas and I have a little concern about the trailer light plug!!
With all the wires plugged, when I open the light driving I have back voltage on all output (driving+brake(both flasher)). My uncle claim that is the converter box, but I'm sure that on the trailer it would be fine. Since I don't have a trailer to test it I can verify it!!
Should this could be an issue!?!
I have tapped the wire on,
L Turn:Green/Blue
Tail:Grey/black
Stop:Red/white
R turn:Yellow/green
12v+: 12v socket in trunk
Ground: directly on frame
a201concept
05-02-2013, 07:25 PM
I know this thread is old but quick question for anyone reading, just to clarify what has already been discussed above, should it be alright to tow about 1,000lbs or less (possibly much less) cross country? I have a 06 A4 2.0T 6MT Quattro, I want to get the proper hitch and an enclosed trailer and load it up with probably about 500lb of cargo, ( clothes, a baby crib, two medium sized flat screens, etc.) serious responses only please, thank you in advance
glissoar
05-02-2013, 08:16 PM
I know this thread is old but quick question for anyone reading, just to clarify what has already been discussed above, should it be alright to tow about 1,000lbs or less (possibly much less) cross country? I have a 06 A4 2.0T 6MT Quattro, I want to get the proper hitch and an enclosed trailer and load it up with probably about 500lb of cargo, ( clothes, a baby crib, two medium sized flat screens, etc.) serious responses only please, thank you in advance
Just rent a u-haul pick up truck, will probably cost less and be less headache and you won't have a gaudy looking trailer hitch on the ass of your car
a201concept
05-02-2013, 08:46 PM
Just rent a u-haul pick up truck, will probably cost less and be less headache and you won't have a gaudy looking trailer hitch on the ass of your car
I considered uhaul... When I got estimates on using uHaul I was faced with prices near $2500-$3500 from coast to coast, also that does not help with transporting my vehicle to the new place I'm moving to..
Boushard
05-02-2013, 10:04 PM
The max load I've ever towed is about 1800Lbs, it's a lot for this car but i've only towed it for 20km in town so this is not a big deal! But for this short distance I can tell you that I wake up every horses to climb an overpass bridge! 1000lbs overall, smartly driven that should not be a problem, at least for me!!
crazydevilz
05-03-2013, 05:04 AM
Sorry for highjacking the thread but i want to do the reverse . I bought a a4 with a towing package . My mechanic told me is gonna be a pain in the ass to remove cause they are bolt in the frame and is a lot of job.
True or false ?
Sorry for highjacking the thread but i want to do the reverse . I bought a a4 with a towing package . My mechanic told me is gonna be a pain in the ass to remove cause they are bolt in the frame and is a lot of job.
True or false ?
I don't think it will be difficult to remove. You could do it easily with a few tools. Want to sell me your setup when you remove it?
dackler
05-03-2013, 05:23 AM
Sorry for highjacking the thread but i want to do the reverse . I bought a a4 with a towing package . My mechanic told me is gonna be a pain in the ass to remove cause they are bolt in the frame and is a lot of job.
True or false ?
Depending on which hitch you have, it's probably 5 bolts and that's it.
Not difficult at all.
No issues towing with my A4. Does it like a champ.
Will likely be used the next time I decide to head to the dragon in NC/TN.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rdgN99R5_Zs/UX6zR0YTnuI/AAAAAAAAAyg/zEfkWEoK5KY/s778/IMG_1110.JPG
T_Glass_27
05-03-2013, 06:43 AM
I want to get a hitch to carry a single dirtbike. If any of you taking them off want to sell, shoot me a PM.
I want to get a hitch to carry a single dirtbike. If any of you taking them off want to sell, shoot me a PM.
Hey... I called dibs first...
dackler
05-03-2013, 07:56 AM
I want to get a hitch to carry a single dirtbike. If any of you taking them off want to sell, shoot me a PM.
Considering tongue weight, I wouldn't use a hitch carrier unless you have an SUV with a class 3 or higher hitch.
Tow instead.
If you have a B7 and are looking at Curt hitches, get the one for the later model B7's (07-08) which bolts right in vs the early style which you have to drill holes in your tire well to fit. The bolt-in style took me 20 minutes to install, and that was taking my time.
I have the other style as well but it's slightly bent and just sitting in my garage. Certainly still usable.
If you're interested, PM me and maybe we can work something out, although shipping isn't going to be cheap since it's pretty heavy.
I have the other style as well but it's slightly bent and just sitting in my garage.
How did it bend? I have an auto, and with my 8'x4' trailer and my heavy Zx12 I am concerned about overheating the tranny. I also have no idea how I would incorporate a tranny cooler, or if it would damage the tranny having a tanny cooler in there during the winter.
dackler
05-03-2013, 08:08 AM
How did it bend?
I have no idea. I bought i used off someone here a couple years ago and installed in on my B6. Ad never said anything about it being slightly bent and I never noticed until I took it off the car right before I sold it. I towed with it and used my hitch bike-carrier with it a hundred times.
I have no idea. I bought i used off someone here a couple years ago and installed in on my B6. Ad never said anything about it being slightly bent and I never noticed until I took it off the car right before I sold it. I towed with it and used my hitch bike-carrier with it a hundred times.
stick or auto?
dackler
05-03-2013, 08:23 AM
6spd manual
6spd manual
Yeah. I still have my fear.
midnight407
05-03-2013, 09:02 AM
tranny coolers are just radiator-like devices that you tie in with the tranny cooler lines as far as i know. if you're not comfortable with touching/patching into the lines, i'm sure any transmissions shop could throw a universal one in there for you.
rollerton
05-03-2013, 09:12 AM
It's a B6- 3.0/6mt, but same idea. I've towed my travel trailer all over the place- though it is only about 1k lbs. Easy, once you're moving you don't even know it's there. And I've towed my friend's ski-boat which probably weighs 3X what my trailer weighs. Havn't towed the boat further than 30-40 miles, but again, NO problem at all. Just go easy on the clutch when you're launching.
FWIW I have towed that little camp trailer up/down some SERIOUS forest service roads. The kind of roads you wonder if you should NOT be on in any situation, let alone towing a trailer. And it has zero problems, you just GO.
The worst part is finding a hitch that is safe and mounts securely and that you can tolerate. I wasn't able to find one that was even partially hidden, to I bought one of the cheap Curt hitches that mounts to the spare tire well, and modified the mounting a little (, welded reinforcing mands inside the tire-well, up higher) so it wasn't as ugly and partly hidden.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c168/zer0b0y/cda7032d.jpg
tranny coolers are just radiator-like devices that you tie in with the tranny cooler lines as far as i know. if you're not comfortable with touching/patching into the lines, i'm sure any transmissions shop could throw a universal one in there for you.
It is more getting the correct fluid level after. You need a VAGCOM and a there is a special procedure to get the level correct. It isn't like every other auto with a dipstick. Plus the fluid is something like $50 a quart.
ny tdi
04-29-2014, 09:21 AM
I know this is an old thread, but my 2014 2.0T A4 6MT Quattro driver's manual says that we're limited to a class I or class II trailer. It doesn't mention any specific specs on trailer weights. However, here are the specs for towing from a british manual for a 2009 A4:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/23637944/1.8T.png
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/23637944/3.2.png
Interestingly, the 2.0T was not listed in the British Manual. BTW, a class II hitch can only tow 3500LBS. So why can we tow so much more across the pond?
Newman378
04-29-2014, 05:55 PM
I wouldn't do it!
billyhoyle
05-14-2014, 10:33 AM
I'm debating getting a hitch to tow a small flat bed for a motorcycle...anyone from this zombie thread have a hitch still kicking around that they want to sell (or anyone for that matter)?
leftovers
05-14-2014, 01:40 PM
I'm debating getting a hitch to tow a small flat bed for a motorcycle...anyone from this zombie thread have a hitch still kicking around that they want to sell (or anyone for that matter)?
$140 shipped:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PI7KPM/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M2T1_ST1_dp_1
redwoodum
06-16-2014, 01:13 PM
Love all the americans that think a truck that gets 10 mpg is required to pull anything. An A4 is well equipped to pull small loads and the Europeans pull anything from soil and lumber to campers with them.
Love all the americans that think a truck that gets 10 mpg is required to pull anything. An A4 is well equipped to pull small loads and the Europeans pull anything from soil and lumber to campers with them.
Excuse me sir... I get 9 mpg on my Dodge Ram 1500...
If my A4 was stick, I wouldn't hesitate to pull very light weight with it. But with it being an auto, I gave up and got a pickup.
Stackdeezy
06-17-2014, 02:09 PM
I tow alot.... And I would never tow anything with my audi, ever.
That doesn't mean a thing.
After living in Europe for close to 6 years my ideas about what can tow what have dramatically changed!
The fact people use 1/2 ton and up pickups to tow little boats, little utility trailers, or other nonsense blows my mind.
You can tow stuff with your A4 just fine if you so choose. Just be wary of tongue weights and unbalanced loads.
TOW ON!
That doesn't mean a thing.
After living in Europe for close to 6 years my ideas about what can tow what have dramatically changed!
The fact people use 1/2 ton and up pickups to tow little boats, little utility trailers, or other nonsense blows my mind.
You can tow stuff with your A4 just fine if you so choose. Just be wary of tongue weights and unbalanced loads.
TOW ON!
Automatic transmissions are NOT designed for excessive heat (at least car autos). The reason people in Europe tow more and can get away with it is the are way more likely to have manual transmissions.
I added a trans temp gauge to my jeep wrangler (I swapped an auto into it for off-roading) the trans temp would get 80-100 degrees hotter pulling my 4x8 utility trailer with a 400 lbs motorcycle on it. I would expect my tip trans to be finished after that...
HYB90RID
08-22-2014, 11:28 AM
Can someone tell me why it seems to be such a big deal to tow with an A4??.. It's awd, has tons of power well mine will be like 300awhp, 6spd. There are tons and tons of people towing with civics, accords, corolla's etc. My buddy has an HHR SS Auto which is states in the book not to tow over 1500lbs more then 500km a year. He's had the car since new and has been towing his snowmobile every winter, tows wood, scrap etc all the time. He now has 112k on the car and hasn't had a single issue with tranny, suspension etc and he doesn't baby it. Pounds the hell out of the car even with the trailer on the back up down pretty big hills and you can barely even feel the trailer. I drive a 07 canyon right now I know not a real truck but it's rated for 4400lbs and I find his car tows way better. The reason I ask is I'm selling the truck to buy this a4 and I want to add a hitch so I can tow my snowmobile, dirt bikes and seadoo around. 90% of my towing has been like 10-30 min ride pretty much all flat ground with the occasional trips to the cottage which are about 2h with some hills. As stated car approx 300whp, 3.0 brakes with hawk pads all around and a well maintained vehicle, will I actually have an issue.
It's not a lack of power, nor the ability of the vehicle to stop. It is simply heat generated. If I had a manual I would tow with it. I wouldn't in my auto. I thought about it, and wanted to, but gave up. Most people towing with civics, accords, corolla's are running manuals.
I have a Dodge Ram 1500 (manual), but if you look at the trans coolers for the auto versions, they are half the size of the engine radiator. It's all about heat. Manuals, you just wear your clutch more, but there is no heat generated.
I put a hitch on our civic (it is an auto) but we added an aux trans cooler. I might consider it, if one was added to the A4 (tip), but in order to add trans fluid, you have to know what you are doing, so u-haul, or local mechanics are not an option.
Adub-Drew
08-23-2014, 08:27 AM
When I think of towing, this is what always comes to mind. But who am I to judge, you make the choice. It's a small car with a short wheelbase and no business towing anything..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfLnLwFcSBc
bpat1017
11-17-2014, 10:31 AM
I have a stage 4 clutch and big turbo on my a4. 6 speed coilovers and 20" Rohannas. Towed a 5x7 dirtbike trailer and a bike and gear around 1000lbs 450 miles round trip. Yes I have more power then stock and it felt like I wasn't towing anything. Now towing 3000lbs is really not a good idea for a stock a4. Even with the 3.2. The strain on the motor and car just trying to pull out of the boat ramp. My tow hook welds cracked when I got towed once. Not very strong metal there. Commen sence If you have items to tow that are over 2000lbs you need to eather buy a suv/truck or sell your what you need to tow. Unless your balsy. But who am I to say. I'm the idiot who towed a 1500lb trailer with my 4cyl 94 Honda Accord and roasted 3rd gear on my auto trans.