Allroad towing, and tongue weight.

[Tik-Tok]

I installed a westfalia hitch a few years ago, and used it for my sled trailer with great success, however now I'm looking at getting a camping trailer. My issue is that the tongue weight of the westfalia is only 95kg (210lbs), and the trailers I'm looking at are 4000lbs, with tonque weight of 400+lbs. With my sled trailer, I always just adjusted the weight so it was nose-light, but that won't be so easy to do with a camper.

I know the allroad is fully capably of pulling 5,000lbs (as they are rated in Europe), but that seems like an awfully light nose for that amount of weight. Has anyone had any trouble putting more weight on the tongue?

I was also considering taking out the westfalia metal, and having a proper square hitch receiver welded/bolted onto it, and cutting a square in the bumper cover. Should be able to take much more weight that way (as the weak link in in the Westfalia/Bosal is the U-shape. Thoughts?

[Vinchenzo51]

I have no personal expierience with this, but i'd also look into calculating what the gawr will be for your AR at this weight.

You can calculate by taking the distance from the rear axel, to the ball (we'll call it A), add it to the wheelbase (109), then divide by the wheelbase. Multiply that by your needed tongue weight (in this case, 400). So 400*(A/109). Thats the weight over the rear axel, and subtract that from C to figure out how much weight is being removed from the front end.

God I hope that made sense... I did a lot of research on this when I was buying a boat.

EDIT: I also should ask, stock air suspension? Stock torque converter/clutch?
Stock auto trans/torque converter might not like that much weight behind it for that long. Probably overheat and start slipping

But then again... I have never towed with an AR, so someone may have personal experience information to shoot me down lol.

[audifirst]

I have westfalia hitch the first version that came out, and I have towed from campers , small trailers to large with big rocks weight close to 3000 lbs without problems ,
I did tow a sailboat 25 footer with ease, the front was higher but didn't have issue with steering , as long you don't drive like nut within reason you shouldn't have issue.

[Vinchenzo51]

I have westfalia hitch the first version that came out, and I have towed from campers , small trailers to large with big rocks weight close to 3000 lbs without problems ,
I did tow a sailboat 25 footer with ease, the front was higher but didn't have issue with steering , as long you don't drive like nut within reason you shouldn't have issue.

Advertised tongue for the AR is 3300, so your 3k would be just on the edge. His 4k will be pushing it.

Do you have a MT or TIP AR?

[G0to60]

I've had the same thoughts as well. I plan to borrow my parents travel trailer once I get a hitch installed but the tongue weight is ~400lb or so (can't remember off hand). I'm probably going to go with the mount that JustMnB44 on here makes (if he is still fabbing them up). I'll see if I can find his thread.

Also, the advertised US tow capacity is ~3300lb but the European capacity is 5000lb. How are the US allroads different from across the pond to account for the difference.

Here's that hitch thread:

http://forums.audiworld.com/showpost.php?p=24210685&postcount=84

[Tik-Tok]

Advertised tongue for the AR is 3300, so your 3k would be just on the edge. His 4k will be pushing it.

Do you have a MT or TIP AR?

North America rated the Allroad at 3300 lbs, but Europe rated it at 5000 lbs (with no differences between them). I have a TIP, but an upgraded TqC.
As I said, the weak link in the Westfalia, is the "hidden hitch". That's what is limiting the tongue weight to 210 lbs, not the car itself.

[audifirst]

Advertised tongue for the AR is 3300, so your 3k would be just on the edge. His 4k will be pushing it.

Do you have a MT or TIP AR?

99 TIP A6 2.8 for now.. soon 2.5tdi 6MT :)

[Vinchenzo51]

North America rated the Allroad at 3300 lbs, but Europe rated it at 5000 lbs (with no differences between them). I have a TIP, but an upgraded TqC.
As I said, the weak link in the Westfalia, is the "hidden hitch". That's what is limiting the tongue weight to 210 lbs, not the car itself.

I agree about the hitch. But i've also read that the Westfalia hitch was the OEM hitch for Europe.

I always assumed they offer the 5000lb towing capacity because there was a TDI option available in Europe. But utilizing proper load balancing, you can still keep the gawr the same.

[audifirst]

for some reason Audi and VW rated towing capacity for North American market less then what is in Europe...

I have towed for 7 years without issues, I did however changed tranny fluid after heavy run with trailer which helps to keep tranny running smooth