Audi Q7 Tow bar - electrically folding with trailer assist (with directional plastic 360 ring fitted to the tow ball)

[Diver Bryn]

Does any one else have the Audi 2016 model Q7 factory fitted electrically folding + trailer assist Tow bar - with air suspension pack and tows a caravan, fitted with the AL-KO AKS 3004 Stabiliser Coupling??

Damage is caused to the 360 rotating plastic ring on the Q7 tow ball, caused by the Caravan's AL-KO x brake pads that squeeze the tow ball when caravan becomes unstable,the tow ball ring, links electronically to the MMI screen for reversing and also stability control. Todate no one in the Caravan profession has seen this new Audi system, but have all stated that the AL-KO with damage the Audi Ring on the toe ball...

Having only towed twice for around 500 + miles (I used to be a Jeremy Clarkson mindset when it comes to Caravans :-) ) since owning my car purchased new on the 01/12/2015, the tow assist pack is now rendered useless, as the plastic ring has been nipped / squeezed by the AL-KO AKS 3004 Stabiliser Coupling fitted to my caravan. Stopping it from freely rotating / spinning through its horizontal plane of 360 degree's...

I have just submitted a report to Audi Technical via my dealer and look forward to seeing what they have to say..If your towing a standard trailer with out AL-KO hitch system it should work fine, but who pays £72K to tow an ordinary trailer when the Q7 is a great caravan tow car??

REgards

Bryn

[sm02fly]

This is very interesting... I have the Trailer pack ordered (still waiting on delivery) but not the Air Suspension.

I usually tow glider trailers, my own trailer has a standard hitch but others I might occasionally tow have ALKO stabilisers fitted... So I'll be very interested in what Audi have to say on this.

[andyhud007]

I do

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[andyhud007]

But I don't tow anything. Car just had it.

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[Nemo78]

I do

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But I don't tow anything. Car just had it.

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Sorry I know it's a serious thread and I hope Audi come back with some positive news on this as it seems pretty fundamental. But Andy's posts made me laugh.

[Gavin0478]

Will the winterhoff hitch cause similar problems as that grips too via brake pads. I know on my last gen Q7 i have towed my superstorm a fair bit and you can see where the pads are wearing the towball!

[andyhud007]

Apologies Bryn, I was replying on the move hence my quick responses.

I have the Trailer Pack and Air Suspension but have never used it unfortunately and doubt I ever will. It just happened to be on the car I purchased (as it was sitting on the forecourt). I just leave it tucked away.

Good luck with your findings and I hope you hear from Audi soon on it.

Andy

[Diver Bryn]

Not familiar with the Winterhoff hitch, but it sounds very much like the AL-KO system?? Could Audi have got their design wrong, or is it only to be used to tow bulk standard trailers if so, they need to get there sales pitch correct in the Q7 accesories brochure..

[sm02fly]

Diver Bryn- have you had any updates on this from Audi?

[A7_UFO]

can I just say, I hum the James Bond tune every time I watch the towbar fold out. It's so cool.