Muleears

I have searched and the more I search the more confused I get... I have a 2011 P+ , 2.0T, that I wish to tow a small trailer with. Total weight of trailer and payload will probably never exceed 800#. Do I need an Audi hitch with the propietary cables and control boxes etc? There will be no boats, campers or Jet skis. I'm 62 and none of that is in my future. Can I just install an aftermarket Curt or Draw-Tite hitch and a generic wiring kit? My only concern in doing so would be the back up sensors and their reaction to the trailer. What am I missing or forgetting? Thanks for the advice from a new Audi owner.

Norskie

No.

Yes.

Muleears

Thanks for the succinct reply, you've told me what I needed to know!

Muleears

One last question, will I have any complications from the proximity sensors? Thanks again.

Norskie

Only when in reverse, and the you can hit the button to turn it off.

There is a module and wiring harness to integrate this into the cars ECU so when you plug in a brake light harness for the trailer it knows you're pulling something back there. That will disable the annoying warning when you back up, and do some other things, like disable the hatch opener in your drivers door panel, the engine cooling mode, transmission shift points, stability control, etc. Since you're not pulling much I don't know if all that is necessary; the module is getting hard to find and you'd need vcds or obd11 to tell the ecu the module is there. There are lots of posts here for how to do that.

Dudealicious

An 800lb trailer will handle just fine without any of the electrical towing components.
Do not install a Curt hitch on the Q5. That POS hitch pivots on the bottom of the spare tire well which is very thin steel. A nightmare just waiting to happen. The Draw-Tite closely resembles the factory hitch and uses the same bolts that secured the steel bumper you're replacing. (just like the factory hitch)
Get the Draw-Tite 75940 off eBay for around $200. Sure it's a PITA to install but you'll see just how sturdy it is when installed.

Good luck!

Muleears

Thanks for the heads up. I had used Curt products before and been satisfied with them, but I don't like the idea of being attached to the wheel well. Even for my small trailer. I'll take your advice and go with the Draw-Tite.