Useful info for towing with your Q5
05-22-2012, 10:18 AM
#1
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Useful info for towing with your Q5
I couldn't find all the helpful information in one place when I started trying to figure out the bits I needed to periodically haul a 3,600 lb. tool trailer we use for building trails so I'm collecting them here to help you all out. I have a 2012 Q5 2.0T with the factory towing package.
1. You'll need a 2" ball mount. After some research, I went with a cushioned one: http://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/...all/AMSC2.html
Both to protect the Q5's drive train a bit as well as to smooth things out. Highly worth it.
2. And a hitch ball. Make sure you get the correct ball size for your trailer and the correct shaft diameter for the ball mount. Mine was 2" in this case. I went with a greaseless one: http://www.etrailer.com/*****/Andersen/AM3662.html
3. A wiring adapter. On the Q5 (and probably Q7) you have a 7-blade round RV-style plug. There are about a zillion adapters depending on what your trailer has. I needed a 4-pin one so I got this: http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/47345.html
4. A hitch receiver pin. I got this locking one: http://www.etrailer.com/Locks/DeadBolt/40107.html
With this particular trailer, there was some question about what the actual tongue weight was. The Q5 has a maximum tongue weight value of 440lbs. There are a bunch of ways to calculate tongue weight (tongue weight should be 10-15% of trailer gross weight) but the easiest way is to use a special tongue scale, so I got one of these: http://www.sherline.com/lm.htm (I ordered the LM1000)
Take the time to read this if you are new to towing, too: http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm
Using the scale, I measured the tongue weight of the trailer at 360 pounds, so that was within the safe range.
If anyone has any doubts about the 2.0T and towing, forget them. I was hugely impressed. Lots of low-end pull and never struggled on the highway (we cruised at 65mph on the highway). I did keep it in S mode though - I think you need to let the engine keep in it's optimum torque range. You notice you have a trailer of course, but anyone debating 2.0T vs. 3.2 for towing purposes alone the 2.0T can hold its own. The cushioned hitch smooths out pretty much all the pulsing from the trailer behind you, too.
And most importantly, take your time, double check everything before you tow, keep your speed down and allow a lot of extra space for stopping and any emergency moves you might have to make.
1. You'll need a 2" ball mount. After some research, I went with a cushioned one: http://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/...all/AMSC2.html
Both to protect the Q5's drive train a bit as well as to smooth things out. Highly worth it.
2. And a hitch ball. Make sure you get the correct ball size for your trailer and the correct shaft diameter for the ball mount. Mine was 2" in this case. I went with a greaseless one: http://www.etrailer.com/*****/Andersen/AM3662.html
3. A wiring adapter. On the Q5 (and probably Q7) you have a 7-blade round RV-style plug. There are about a zillion adapters depending on what your trailer has. I needed a 4-pin one so I got this: http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/47345.html
4. A hitch receiver pin. I got this locking one: http://www.etrailer.com/Locks/DeadBolt/40107.html
With this particular trailer, there was some question about what the actual tongue weight was. The Q5 has a maximum tongue weight value of 440lbs. There are a bunch of ways to calculate tongue weight (tongue weight should be 10-15% of trailer gross weight) but the easiest way is to use a special tongue scale, so I got one of these: http://www.sherline.com/lm.htm (I ordered the LM1000)
Take the time to read this if you are new to towing, too: http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm
Using the scale, I measured the tongue weight of the trailer at 360 pounds, so that was within the safe range.
If anyone has any doubts about the 2.0T and towing, forget them. I was hugely impressed. Lots of low-end pull and never struggled on the highway (we cruised at 65mph on the highway). I did keep it in S mode though - I think you need to let the engine keep in it's optimum torque range. You notice you have a trailer of course, but anyone debating 2.0T vs. 3.2 for towing purposes alone the 2.0T can hold its own. The cushioned hitch smooths out pretty much all the pulsing from the trailer behind you, too.
And most importantly, take your time, double check everything before you tow, keep your speed down and allow a lot of extra space for stopping and any emergency moves you might have to make.
05-22-2012, 12:14 PM
#4
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SW FL
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great write up. I've never seen one of those cushioned mounts...very interesting.
But now does anyone know where else it's possible to purchase a hitch that is as hidden as the "factory" hitch?
The "hidden hitch" is not very "hidden"...
But now does anyone know where else it's possible to purchase a hitch that is as hidden as the "factory" hitch?
The "hidden hitch" is not very "hidden"...
05-22-2012, 12:47 PM
#5
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
That being said, towing anything requires extra caution and you have to allow for the extra stopping distance an extra 2 tons will add. The Q5 brakes worked great though.
05-22-2012, 06:27 PM
#6
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I totally agree that the 2.0T is great for towing. I have towed a pop-up camper and a large cargo trailer loaded with furniture. The 2.0T had plenty of power and the vehicle handled very well at all speeds. The Q5 is truly an amazing blend of utility and luxury.
03-22-2022, 10:35 AM
#7
AudiWorld Newcomer
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
towing question
I couldn't find all the helpful information in one place when I started trying to figure out the bits I needed to periodically haul a 3,600 lb. tool trailer we use for building trails so I'm collecting them here to help you all out. I have a 2012 Q5 2.0T with the factory towing package.
1. You'll need a 2" ball mount. After some research, I went with a cushioned one: http://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/...all/AMSC2.html
Both to protect the Q5's drive train a bit as well as to smooth things out. Highly worth it.
2. And a hitch ball. Make sure you get the correct ball size for your trailer and the correct shaft diameter for the ball mount. Mine was 2" in this case. I went with a greaseless one: http://www.etrailer.com/*****/Andersen/AM3662.html
3. A wiring adapter. On the Q5 (and probably Q7) you have a 7-blade round RV-style plug. There are about a zillion adapters depending on what your trailer has. I needed a 4-pin one so I got this: http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/47345.html
4. A hitch receiver pin. I got this locking one: http://www.etrailer.com/Locks/DeadBolt/40107.html
With this particular trailer, there was some question about what the actual tongue weight was. The Q5 has a maximum tongue weight value of 440lbs. There are a bunch of ways to calculate tongue weight (tongue weight should be 10-15% of trailer gross weight) but the easiest way is to use a special tongue scale, so I got one of these: http://www.sherline.com/lm.htm (I ordered the LM1000)
Take the time to read this if you are new to towing, too: http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm
Using the scale, I measured the tongue weight of the trailer at 360 pounds, so that was within the safe range.
If anyone has any doubts about the 2.0T and towing, forget them. I was hugely impressed. Lots of low-end pull and never struggled on the highway (we cruised at 65mph on the highway). I did keep it in S mode though - I think you need to let the engine keep in it's optimum torque range. You notice you have a trailer of course, but anyone debating 2.0T vs. 3.2 for towing purposes alone the 2.0T can hold its own. The cushioned hitch smooths out pretty much all the pulsing from the trailer behind you, too.
And most importantly, take your time, double check everything before you tow, keep your speed down and allow a lot of extra space for stopping and any emergency moves you might have to make.
1. You'll need a 2" ball mount. After some research, I went with a cushioned one: http://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/...all/AMSC2.html
Both to protect the Q5's drive train a bit as well as to smooth things out. Highly worth it.
2. And a hitch ball. Make sure you get the correct ball size for your trailer and the correct shaft diameter for the ball mount. Mine was 2" in this case. I went with a greaseless one: http://www.etrailer.com/*****/Andersen/AM3662.html
3. A wiring adapter. On the Q5 (and probably Q7) you have a 7-blade round RV-style plug. There are about a zillion adapters depending on what your trailer has. I needed a 4-pin one so I got this: http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/47345.html
4. A hitch receiver pin. I got this locking one: http://www.etrailer.com/Locks/DeadBolt/40107.html
With this particular trailer, there was some question about what the actual tongue weight was. The Q5 has a maximum tongue weight value of 440lbs. There are a bunch of ways to calculate tongue weight (tongue weight should be 10-15% of trailer gross weight) but the easiest way is to use a special tongue scale, so I got one of these: http://www.sherline.com/lm.htm (I ordered the LM1000)
Take the time to read this if you are new to towing, too: http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm
Using the scale, I measured the tongue weight of the trailer at 360 pounds, so that was within the safe range.
If anyone has any doubts about the 2.0T and towing, forget them. I was hugely impressed. Lots of low-end pull and never struggled on the highway (we cruised at 65mph on the highway). I did keep it in S mode though - I think you need to let the engine keep in it's optimum torque range. You notice you have a trailer of course, but anyone debating 2.0T vs. 3.2 for towing purposes alone the 2.0T can hold its own. The cushioned hitch smooths out pretty much all the pulsing from the trailer behind you, too.
And most importantly, take your time, double check everything before you tow, keep your speed down and allow a lot of extra space for stopping and any emergency moves you might have to make.
Trending Topics
03-23-2022, 08:10 AM
#8
AudiWorld Member
2005? Did you mean 2015?
Etrailer's tow bar is fine, but you'll want to properly integrate the electronics as this thread illustrates: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q5-...5-sq5-3010146/
Etrailer's tow bar is fine, but you'll want to properly integrate the electronics as this thread illustrates: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q5-...5-sq5-3010146/
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SForked
S4 / RS4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
15
07-01-2008 04:52 AM
Luxus Panzer
Audi 90 / 80 / Coupe quattro / Cabriolet
1
07-27-2007 03:34 PM
pentosinjunky
12v V6 Discussion
18
07-25-2006 07:10 AM
Dmak
A4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
1
01-12-2002 04:00 PM
