rixon

Hi, I would like to purchase a hitch for my 2014 Q5 Prestige V6 S-Line. I see that Audi has two available, one with Side-Assist and one without. I do have Side-Assist. But what are the actual differences between these two hitches?

Also, is there a better hitch out there that retains the 4400 pound towing capacity of the vehicle or should I go with the expensive Audi version? Many thanks. Rick

bhiggins80@gmail.com

Hi Rick, I installed the Audi hitch on my 2011 Premium+. Took about 4 hours. I know you have to recalibrate the side assist after removing the bumper, but I can't think of what else the difference would be....maybe the electronics box that comes with the hitch is different ? I went with the Audi hitch as I wanted a cleaner look and didn't want to have to mess with tapping into the lighting wiring to get an aftermarket hitch plug to work. With the Audi hitch it was just a matter of plugging everything in & then programming with the Ross-Tech.

Brian

rdA4WtQ5

The general consensus is for towing get the Audi hitch for bike racks any hitch is fine.
The side assist versus non-side assist refers to the module that is supplied with the Audi hitch to correctly integrate with your vehicle and have no error messages. You need the one that matches your vehicle.

Yoshimura

Unless you want to have the hitch receiver apparent all the time, get the Execuhitch hitch and the Audi trailer module.

g686

The Executhitch looks pretty bad ***.

Is your care a lease? I ask because:

1)The most OEM LIKE hitch out there is the DRAWTITE, it fits just like OEM, BUT it does not have the flap for the electrical plug in NOR does it come with the AUDI trailer module.

For $170-$250 This is a great hitch if your car is NOT a lease (unless you feel like removing it prior to return), AND you do not plan on towing anything that needs brake lights.

2) The Execuhitch is bad *** but a lot of it falls under the category of #1.

3) The Audi trailer module (8R0055202D) is $350-$450, so if you plan on towing a trailer, you might as well go for full OEM.

tneconni

I'll +1 the execuhitch. I had one on my last car (BMW not Audi) and it was awesome. Really well designed, easy to use and remove. Best of all is when it is removed it is totally gone.

As per trailer module - I went with OEM before and I'd do it again. A lot of trailer wiring hitches rely on the electrical current to the lights to do their thing (brakes and brake lights) but the LED lights we have apparently don't supply enough current, or their wires aren't designed to supply enough current, to make that a good option.