allroad European and North American hitch comparison.... (Bandwidth Warning)
03-31-2007, 05:36 AM
#21
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: allroad European and North American hitch comparison.... (Bandwidth Warning)
I still think the key is going to be the bar with the ball. In my discussion with Westfalia they stated that would not work. But it may take a bit of engineering to do so. Ball sizes in the US and EU are different. As for chains I know in my state they are required for any trailer. You should be able to have loops welded on for a few dollars. I believe it is also required that the chains are attached to the hitch. Otherwise this looks like a possible solution. If so, maybe a group buy to save shipping costs.
03-31-2007, 07:40 AM
#22
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Denver
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very nice - US vs EU towing limits?
Think the extra weight or extra engineering around the draw bar / ball are what sets the EU towing limits higher?
This may be the solution that frees me up from needing a towing SUV.
This may be the solution that frees me up from needing a towing SUV.
04-02-2007, 05:27 AM
#24
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DON'T use the tie-down "U" under the bumper for trailer safety chain.
The "U" under the USA bumper that is welded to the spare wheel cavity is not strong enough to hold up a wayward trailer if your trailer pops off the ball. The safety chains are supposed to be crossed under the coupling beam and fastened to the hitch bar to catch the trailer.
The welding for the "U" is barely strong enough to be considered a tie-down point for flatbed towing. And it is definitely not strong enough to use if somebody needs to yank you out of mud or snow with a tow strap.
...which reminds me of a fun video on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxrnEC8tKgs
The welding for the "U" is barely strong enough to be considered a tie-down point for flatbed towing. And it is definitely not strong enough to use if somebody needs to yank you out of mud or snow with a tow strap.
...which reminds me of a fun video on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxrnEC8tKgs
04-17-2007, 03:04 PM
#29
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Re: nope, waiting for the wiring harness, should be here anyday.
Not sure. I didn't think the A6 was cleared for towing.. There was atleast one A6'er that installed the allroad hitch. Can you post a link to the A6 hitch you found?
04-18-2007, 08:57 AM
#30
New Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Info from UK agent on '04 allroad hitch
Here's what my contact in the UK had to say (for '04 Allroad):
Well the good news is the tow bar you require is readily available from our local Audi agent, nominally deliverable from central stock within 2-3 days. Moreover, the original part number you quoted was bang on for the 2004 model; and it is different from the tow bar for the later models (e.g. the one on German Ebay.
Now the bad news: first of all, you have to have a bumper re-enforcer as apparently the tow bar is attached, among other things to the rear bumper. Note that this is the steel bumper behind the plastic/fibreglass `bumper' that you see.
The price of each component, including VAT, is:
Tow Bar (part no. 4Z7 092 56) £408
Re-enforcer (part no. 4Z7 807 313A) £115
Total: £523
At current £/$ exchange rates, that works out to circa $1100 before shipping and import duties.
Well the good news is the tow bar you require is readily available from our local Audi agent, nominally deliverable from central stock within 2-3 days. Moreover, the original part number you quoted was bang on for the 2004 model; and it is different from the tow bar for the later models (e.g. the one on German Ebay.
Now the bad news: first of all, you have to have a bumper re-enforcer as apparently the tow bar is attached, among other things to the rear bumper. Note that this is the steel bumper behind the plastic/fibreglass `bumper' that you see.
The price of each component, including VAT, is:
Tow Bar (part no. 4Z7 092 56) £408
Re-enforcer (part no. 4Z7 807 313A) £115
Total: £523
At current £/$ exchange rates, that works out to circa $1100 before shipping and import duties.