kleinbus

Towing in different continents should not be compared as the speeds are far different.

In Europe the towing speed is limited to 80-85 km/h (50-52 mph) while here in States we don't have that much limits and until the trailer GVWR gets high enough, speed limits is same as road limit, usually up to 85 mph (137 km/h) depending road/state.

During the last 2 years we did 10 trips towing 1100 miles oneway and same back. Our 2009 Q5 3.2L sure was sporty when empty but gasser sucks for towing as there is barely torque available. While trying to stay on 70-85 mph (112-137 km/h) speed I had to use manual side and keep rpm's at 4000-5000 to use the power as there in no torque and tranny would end up shifting down and up every freaking little dip and it does get little annoying during such long drive.

On our latest trip Q5 towed the trailer oneway and TDI towed it back...

So bottom line is and Crusty nails it down pretty well...

It needs to be TDI to get things done

Philippe Boutin

Yes i tow!<br/>4175 lbs ready to camp.<br/>

SQive

That's not camping.

sdiver68

Just back from our first towing trip with the 2014 TDI. It was about 650 miles round trip with my vee-nose 5x8 enclosed trailer. Total loaded trailer weight was about 1500lbs. Lets say the cruise was on 70mph and about half the mileage was hilly terrain. I also had 3 adults and 1 half sized kid in the car. My trip average was 18.5mpg, computer said 19.9.

As you can see from the picture, I did not have the ideal tow bar as the nose of the trailer was high by about 2 inches. Unfortunately I ran into a series of issues the day we were leaving with the Audi tow hitch and lighting. I got almost everything squared away except the right hitch bar but by the time everything else was figured out just decided to live with a couple of inches. I bring this up for 2 reasons...1 is I should have done a short test run before the day of the trip just to make sure everything works right and the second is having even a slightly not level trailer will affect fuel economy in my long experience towing motorcycles around the country.

This was an effortless tow in all aspects once finally on the road. The Audi did great except the weird initial issues which were and need to be sorted. The first issue I ran into is my variable height 2" tow bar would not fit into the hitch receiver. It's almost like the receiver was slightly not square but Ill come back with the final resolution. A standard 2" tow bar worked. The second issue I ran into was the Audi took about 10 miles to recognize the trailer lighting when plugged in the first time and then when it did it blew out both my rear trailer lights! I replaced the lights and had no issues since. I can perhaps chalk that up to cheap trailer lights and being about 2 years old. I did appreciate the indicators in the Audi's dashboard...it both recognized and warned on the blown out trailer lights and then indicated they were working properly after replacement.

Coolieman1220

Uhaul trailer with 2 bikes. Effortless tow, TDI got something like 22mpg?

acadianbob

I don't see anyone mentioning payload capacity. That is at least as important as the gross trailer weight or GCVW. And it is often the first limiting factor.

sdiver68

Calculated exactly 19 mpg today pulling the same trailer pictured in my response above.

Cruise control set on 73 on the way there, trip computer said 20.1. On the return trip I set cruise on 70 mph...computer said 22.1. Hilly route with no wind. I'm sure I can get a trip average of calculated 20mpg at 70mph...or maybe a bit higher on more favorable terrain.

14Q5_girl

I have a 2014 Q5 with towing package and factory hitch. I am about to purchase a travel trailer (2300 lbs dry). I am wondering what you have done to your Q5 to tow your trailer?

Did you put in an electric brake controller?

How does the Q5 do with the trailer?

Any advice would be helpful as I am going on a 6 week trip without husband. Could use the 'low down'...

Philippe Boutin

Nothing special, just add a brake controller: CURT Discovery Brake Control # 51120 at Audi dealer. They have set with the Q5. A hitch Equal-i-zer 90-00-0600 (6k) .We do Indiana to Quebec City without problems. The truck was a bit light when the travel trailer was ready for camping so I change to a Q7.
With the weight of your trailer, there would be no problems.

milw156

That's probaby one of best height matching jobs I've ever seen. As long as the trailer weight is balanced it probably tows like a dream!

We got the tow hitch but it's more for a bike rack. However it's nice to know the TDI is capable enough to tow something substantial.

Safe travels with the camper!