Is towing legal?

[jdwade]

Can anyone provide a definitive answer to the following:
1) Can a tow bar be fitted to the RS4 and/or S4 (or RS6 for that matter)?
2) Is insurance valid since none of these models are homologated by Audi to tow?

I'd was looking to buy an RS4 or RS6 but I need to tow my Westie to sprints and hillclimbs; and I'd want to be insured!!

Cheers

John
PS I have searched the forum and found that S4's have been fitted but I couldn't find anything on the RS models or anything definitive on insurance.

 

[quattrojames]

I'd was looking to buy an RS4 or RS6 but I need to tow my Westie to sprints and hillclimbs

Can he not go in a cage in the boot?

:sign_welcome: John

Seriously, I have never heard of this before! How do you know they are not homologated by Audi?

I would try and get hold of an owners manual and see if that gives a towing weight.

 

[adamss24]

They did not fitted an rs model with a towbar as the car chassys might stretch! At least thats the reason given by audi Gmbh ...

 

[jdwade]

The specs on Parkers have towing blanked out for the S and RS models. I emailed one of the towing specialists as a bar is not listed other than A4/A6 Avants. They were the ones that said 'not homologated' they can't fit. Also saw a letter in Evo saying what brilliant cars they were but not legal to tow. Search on the forum seemed to suggest Audi claimed there was no space for additional cooling needed to tow. Hoping someone on the forum can confirm otherwise.

John
PS I know my Westie is a lightweight, never thought of popping it in the back though!!

 

[PetrolDave]

I also heard that Audi say there is not enough engine cooling on the S4 or RS4 to cope with the extra load of towing.

I'm not sure I buy that - you won't be towing using full engine power and the cooling systems are designed to cope with full engine power.

I think Audi just don't want S & RS cars to be seen "shed jerking" (towing a caravan) so they haven't approved any towing - even for motorsport reasons like towing your Westie.

 

[jdwade]

What I am trying to determine is whether 'not homologated' means things like your warranty is void or it means it would be illegal. The latter doesn't make much sense as all the rest of the Avants have been approved so the chassis strength, fitment etc must be ok. But then law and common sense don't go hand in hand!!

I could understand Audi not wanting flagship cars towing mobile sheds from an image point of view and the loads are very high. Top end cars do tend to fit additional transmission coolers and sometimes engine cooling fro towing.

Maybe I should just try the painful way and call my insurance company......

John

 

[daveyrs4]

my B5 RS4 has a towbar on it, the previous owner had a horse box.
The bumper had to have a bit cut out.
I have taken the bar off.

 

[jdwade]

Excellent, so the B5 chassis has all the mounting points. I'll try my insurance company and see if I can give me any sort of answer on cover when towing.

 

[paul20v]

As long as you dont exceed the cars GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight ) i dont understand why , and as for the chassis stretching ive never heard such a load of Rubbish why would it ?

 

[mikeyquattro]

I have a copy of a letter from Gmbh (in german) stating that you can use a Westfalia towbar and tow up to 1600kg with a nose weight of 75kg on a B5 RS4.

Audi are worried that the gearbox oil might get too hot

 

[Stigars4]

Old thread back to life !

Anyone got a towbar yet on b7 rs4?

All I need is really just a little "eye" so I can pull a car. (Or get pulled out of the snow myself )

 

[desertstorm]

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/you-can-fit-a-towbar-to-a-rs4-b7.81213/

 

[RGBARGEE]

It's a factory option on a B9 !!

 

[auroan]

I have one on my B9 S4 Avant (factory fit). Tow my E30 3 Series Race car around when I can't be ***** with getting the Van out...... 8mpg though when towing.

 

[TameAutumn]

I have one on my B9 S4 Avant (factory fit). Tow my E30 3 Series Race car around when I can't be ***** with getting the Van out...... 8mpg though when towing.

8mpg!?!?!?