Who needs a truck when you have a trailer hitch?
05-24-2010, 11:58 AM
#2
AudiWorld Member
Cool. Its good to see that its up to the job. I plan on installing a hitch on my 2000 A6 Avant as well. My father wants to buy mine from me when I sell it but insists on being able to tow a small trailer. With this little 2.8 I just wasn't sure.
...to be fair, I suppose my brother's old S10 with the 2.8 v6 towed fine and this audi 2.8 has much more hp and low end torque that that truck ever did.
...to be fair, I suppose my brother's old S10 with the 2.8 v6 towed fine and this audi 2.8 has much more hp and low end torque that that truck ever did.
05-24-2010, 12:02 PM
#3
Head Cat Herder
Thread Starter
I've towed over 1000lbs with my car with absolutely NO problem. barely even felt the weight, even going up and over a relatively steep mountain pass.
Momentum is key.
Log splitter doesn't weight all that much though, it was barely there as far as the car was concerned.
Momentum is key.
Log splitter doesn't weight all that much though, it was barely there as far as the car was concerned.
05-24-2010, 01:09 PM
#5
Head Cat Herder
Thread Starter
Different hitches, different rules and regulations. In fact, in the manual for the car specifically mentions max towing limits, I think 1500 for a braked trailer... I'd have to double check...
05-25-2010, 02:52 AM
#7
AudiWorld Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norway, Europe
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The ball hitch used on most trailers below 3500 kg (~7000 lbs) is more or less the same in Europe and the US, but it seems like heavy towing with an unibody car generally is not allowed in the US, so I guess it's all about the rules and regulations.
But - the trailer has to have surge brakes if it's more than 750 kg (~1500 lbs) here in Europe. Electric brakes are not allowed at all here. In addition, the maximum speed limit for an unbraked trailer is 60 km/h (~35 mph) and a braked trailer 80 km/h (~50 mph), no matter if the speed limit on the actual road is higher.
In addition, if the maximum allowed weight of the car and the trailer together exceeds 3500 kg (~7500 lbs), you need to pass a driving test and get an "extended" driver's license.
But - the trailer has to have surge brakes if it's more than 750 kg (~1500 lbs) here in Europe. Electric brakes are not allowed at all here. In addition, the maximum speed limit for an unbraked trailer is 60 km/h (~35 mph) and a braked trailer 80 km/h (~50 mph), no matter if the speed limit on the actual road is higher.
In addition, if the maximum allowed weight of the car and the trailer together exceeds 3500 kg (~7500 lbs), you need to pass a driving test and get an "extended" driver's license.
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05-26-2010, 07:48 AM
#9
AudiWorld Member
Trailer hitches are seriously under-appreciated accessories IMO. We have one on our beater Ford Taurus and it's been a wonderful investment whenever somebody's moved and needed a U-Haul trailer, needed to move a boat, bought a bunch of plants, etc.
The only drawback if you don't have your own trailer is that U-Haul tends to be sleazy with their reservations practices in my experience (double booking, not letting people know their reservation isn't available b/c someone else hasn't returned the equipment on time, etc.).
Also, be sure you inspect your hitch with a torque wrench before EVERY tow. On a trip, take 30 seconds at every stop to get on your knees and tug on the chains and support arms, etc. The consequences of a towing hook-up mistake or failure are usually extremely disastrous.
The only drawback if you don't have your own trailer is that U-Haul tends to be sleazy with their reservations practices in my experience (double booking, not letting people know their reservation isn't available b/c someone else hasn't returned the equipment on time, etc.).
Also, be sure you inspect your hitch with a torque wrench before EVERY tow. On a trip, take 30 seconds at every stop to get on your knees and tug on the chains and support arms, etc. The consequences of a towing hook-up mistake or failure are usually extremely disastrous.