B8 SQ5 (aftermarket) Trailer hitch question

[djapeA4]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping there are some of you with aftermarket hitches (not Audi installed) and towing 3-4000 lbs trailers with their Q5/SQ5. What I would like to know is, in what way is an aftermarket hitch with it's 7-pin wiring different from an Audi OEM package?

In other words, is it true that there is a specific programming of the transmission that kicks in when 7-pin OEM wiring is connected to the trailer, telling TCU to start making different shift points made for towing only?

Since I'm in the market for a used SQ5, many of which have no hitch installed, and the original Audi hitch is no longer available to buy/install. I'm not against aftermarket hitch packages like draw-tite which makes an OEM replica, as long as it won't affect the ZF8 transmission in any way.

My local dealership is confusing the crap out of me on this.

Any insight on this is appreciated.
Thanks.

[Norskie]

In other words, is it true that there is a specific programming of the transmission that kicks in when 7-pin OEM wiring is connected to the trailer, telling TCU to start making different shift points made for towing only?

Yes.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...trailer+coding

[choppstixxx]

Yes.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...trailer+coding

+1 and Thanks Norskie for referring to my thread I would not want to tow anywhere near the 3-4k # mark unless I had the OEM module/coding done regardless of if you use an aftermarket hitch.
There are a few threads that mention the part #'s for said module etc. you will have to track down, that would be my first order of business if you are going non-OEM hitch.

[djapeA4]

Yes.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...trailer+coding

Thank you for finding this!

[djapeA4]

+1 and Thanks Norskie for referring to my thread I would not want to tow anywhere near the 3-4k # mark unless I had the OEM module/coding done regardless of if you use an aftermarket hitch.
There are a few threads that mention the part #'s for said module etc. you will have to track down, that would be my first order of business if you are going non-OEM hitch.

I don't have much choice with used SQ5s, if the original owner opted out of the towing package when the car was new, I'm SOL for getting OEM hitch installed because there aren't any available anymore. However, all other OEM parts like wiring are still being sold by the dealer. So If my only choice for the hitch is aftermarket, do I use the wiring it comes with, or do I need to buy OEM wiring in order to code as described in your thread?

[choppstixxx]

I don't have much choice with used SQ5s, if the original owner opted out of the towing package when the car was new, I'm SOL for getting OEM hitch installed because there aren't any available anymore. However, all other OEM parts like wiring are still being sold by the dealer. So If my only choice for the hitch is aftermarket, do I use the wiring it comes with, or do I need to buy OEM wiring in order to code as described in your thread?

You still will need to buy the OEM trailer module/7 pin wiring, the wiring that is offered with aftermarket options do not utilize the OEM coding I outline in my thread.

[Norskie]

I don't have much choice with used SQ5s, if the original owner opted out of the towing package when the car was new, I'm SOL for getting OEM hitch installed because there aren't any available anymore. However, all other OEM parts like wiring are still being sold by the dealer. So If my only choice for the hitch is aftermarket, do I use the wiring it comes with, or do I need to buy OEM wiring in order to code as described in your thread?

This topic has to be in the top 10 questions asked by q5 owners!

Just last week I came across someone on ebay selling the hitch, module, wiring etc. off an SQ5 ... I think there was a post here or at Audiworld but I didn't save the link and now can't find it.

Few SQ5's had the towing packing from the factory, and I don't think there are new OEM units sitting on dealer shelves anywhere, so you're going to be left piecing things together.

There are alternatives to the actual hitch - etrailer.com sells a couple variants. Main difference is going to be the mounting brackets for the electrical plug, you might have to get creative. The other difference is that none of the aftermarket hitches are rated for weight-distribution hitches, nor have I been able to determine if the OEM unit has it. There is some discussion regarding how important this "rating" is and what it infers.
This is one I have: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...leID=201545178

There are plenty of ~$50 wiring options but they don't interface with the traction control, cooling, braking etc. This is what I've got going, but then again I don't tow much more than a motorcycle trailer on occasion. For heavier loads you'll want the towing module and coding changes. Used modules from Europe are the best bet, they run about $200 vs. new ones stateside are 2x that. The part number you're looking for is 8K0907383E.

For the cable connector, the OEM 7-pin unit runs about $350 and is the easiest to just plug right into the modules, I don't have the part number handy but make sure you get the North American one, as we use blades and Europe uses pins (I think). An alternative is an option to use a generic 7 pin trailer connector, and then build a wiring harness with Audi connectors and pins to plug into the module.

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q7-...2893396/page2/
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q5-...2964381/page7/

And then there's the coding of the module, which is done with VCDS.

And finally .. a brake controller. One of the wiring harnesses in the trunk area leads to the wires under the dash that a brake controller would use; there are a number of aftermarket controllers available.

At least, that's all what I've gathered from the posts elsewhere on this site. I'll know more once I get started on my winter project, which is to get the OEM module mated to an aftermarket 7-pin connector and then coded up. I'm going to try with ODBEleven because I have one, but I suspect I might end up buying VCDS.

[djapeA4]

This topic has to be in the top 10 questions asked by q5 owners!

Just last week I came across someone on ebay selling the hitch, module, wiring etc. off an SQ5 ... I think there was a post here or at Audiworld but I didn't save the link and now can't find it.

Few SQ5's had the towing packing from the factory, and I don't think there are new OEM units sitting on dealer shelves anywhere, so you're going to be left piecing things together.

There are alternatives to the actual hitch - etrailer.com sells a couple variants. Main difference is going to be the mounting brackets for the electrical plug, you might have to get creative. The other difference is that none of the aftermarket hitches are rated for weight-distribution hitches, nor have I been able to determine if the OEM unit has it. There is some discussion regarding how important this "rating" is and what it infers.
This is one I have: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...leID=201545178

There are plenty of ~$50 wiring options but they don't interface with the traction control, cooling, braking etc. This is what I've got going, but then again I don't tow much more than a motorcycle trailer on occasion. For heavier loads you'll want the towing module and coding changes. Used modules from Europe are the best bet, they run about $200 vs. new ones stateside are 2x that. The part number you're looking for is 8K0907383E.

For the cable connector, the OEM 7-pin unit runs about $350 and is the easiest to just plug right into the modules, I don't have the part number handy but make sure you get the North American one, as we use blades and Europe uses pins (I think). An alternative is an option to use a generic 7 pin trailer connector, and then build a wiring harness with Audi connectors and pins to plug into the module.

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q7-...2893396/page2/
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q5-...2964381/page7/

And then there's the coding of the module, which is done with VCDS.

And finally .. a brake controller. One of the wiring harnesses in the trunk area leads to the wires under the dash that a brake controller would use; there are a number of aftermarket controllers available.

At least, that's all what I've gathered from the posts elsewhere on this site. I'll know more once I get started on my winter project, which is to get the OEM module mated to an aftermarket 7-pin connector and then coded up. I'm going to try with ODBEleven because I have one, but I suspect I might end up buying VCDS.

OK so all of this is already done if I just get a used car with OEM hitch installed?

I know I also need the brake controller but if that's the only thing left, then it would be worth looking for one that has it. Honestly this seems like a lot of hassle with aftermarket parts.

[djapeA4]

You still will need to buy the OEM trailer module/7 pin wiring, the wiring that is offered with aftermarket options do not utilize the OEM coding I outline in my thread.

OK then I might just give up on the idea and look for the car that has the tow package already installed. I think it's already getting too complicated for my liking. It's because the dealer doesn't want to code unless it's their hitch (which they don't have on the shelf anymore), and the trailer hitch company can't code the way it's supposed to be done.

Thanks for your response anyway.

[Norskie]

OK so all of this is already done if I just get a used car with OEM hitch installed?

I know I also need the brake controller but if that's the only thing left, then it would be worth looking for one that has it. Honestly this seems like a lot of hassle with aftermarket parts.

Correct, but, it's also pretty hard to find any SQ/SQ5's with the OEM tow package.

[djapeA4]

Correct, but, it's also pretty hard to find any SQ/SQ5's with the OEM tow package.

I know, very true. I've been told today that out of 10 N.A. parts storage facilities Audi has, not a single one has any tow packages left for B8 S/Q5. And the wiring and trailer/brake modules aren't available or sold separately either.

[Norskie]

I know, very true. I've been told today that out of 10 N.A. parts storage facilities Audi has, not a single one has any tow packages left for B8 S/Q5. And the wiring and trailer/brake modules aren't available or sold separately either.

Ebay to rescue! I should receive my module from Latvia sometime in January.

When I was looking for my SQ5 I was also consider the Jeep GC SRT, which can tow a lot better than the SQ5. Also more expensive, higher insurance, less reliable, and terrible MPG, but at least nearly all of them come with a towing package an 7200# capacity.

It is a little challenging to piece together the towing parts and I enjoy a challenge and it's a hobby, otherwise I would have regretted not getting the SRT.

[Fast4esT]

I have the dumbest question. Installing the hitch mount itself was easy, bumper and all. Building a wire harness also nothing special and coding though I can’t get there yet should be easy.

I already have the bracket in my 2014 3.0t, how the hell do I get the trailer module into the bracket? I’ve seen pictures, I know where it goes but it just doesn’t want to fit. I’m be got the correct module with 2 plugs.
I don’t have to pull the bracket out to install the module do I?