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Thread: Towbar madness? Audi A4 Avant

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  1. Thumbs up Towbar madness? Audi A4 Avant 
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    I am just considering fitting a towbar to my 2009 A4 Avant to tow a motorcycle trailer. I've had a few quotes, the cheapest of which comes in around £310 for a fixed bar and £365 detachable.

    I ran my local Audi dealer and they quoted me over £2,000 because they said the towbar kit came with upgraded cooling fans and the quote included 8 hours labour.

    I asked why I'd need upgraded cooling fans to tow a bike trailer (I might understand it with an 6 berth caravan)and didn't get much of an answer. I also asked why 8 hours labour was required and was told it included fitting the new fans and cutting the bumper.

    When I told him how much I'd been quoted elsewhere he said that they didn't fit the audi electric kit and fitting a non standard towbar might become a warranty issue.

    Anyone had an issue with fitting towbars independently or towing with the standard fans?

    Secondly I understand that the bumper will probably need cutting. I'm told by one company that the cut is made underneath and is not really visible. Anyone able to confirm that.

    Ta.
     
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  2. Re: Towbar madness? Audi A4 Avant 
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    fitted a removable tow bar to my B6 audi a4 and did it myself , very easy to do and gave it to an auto electrician to connect up the wiring with a relay the cut out was not visible as it was only on the bottom as for the warranty cant say but cant see how they could refuse to honour your warranty for fitting a towbar
     
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  3. Re: Towbar madness? Audi A4 Avant 
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    https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...r-preparation&

    a useful read ^

    If the car suffers damage, resulting directly from towing without the preparation/cooling kit - Audi would be well within their rights to void the warranty, especially as the Audi dealer has tried to explain this to you.

    You have to remember, a towbar being fitted to the car opens the car up to towing anything, Audi aren't in a position to rely on people's word in terms of the usage the vehicle with the towbar fitted will receive.

     
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  4. Re: Towbar madness? Audi A4 Avant 
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    Thanks for the response. The parts 'man' did indeed point out to me the potential effect on warranty but didn't explain the rationale for fitting uprated cooling fans or why the customer should bear that cost.

    The thread you pointed me to is useful but also leaves me with some questions unanswered. Why are Audi only offering goodwill on 2008 models? Why are they selling a car not robust enough to deal with towing?
     
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  5. Re: Towbar madness? Audi A4 Avant 
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    I can't answer your question I'm afraid, I find it laughable that a model was released that needs prep to be able to tow when most big(ger) engined estates will see some towing at some point in their lives.

    Hopefully one of our more experienced techies can help.

     
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  6. Re: Towbar madness? Audi A4 Avant 
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    soounds like youve had a bit of a nightmare..... for what its worth to put a smile on your face you could always consider one of these bizarre

    http://www.trailersforsaleworld.co.u...-of-a-trailer/ trailer alternatives!!! quite funny!
     
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  7. Re: Towbar madness? Audi A4 Avant 
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    Now I feel better

    Towing the odd motorbike doesn't seem to be a problem in comparison with some of those. Many thanks.
     
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    When towing a caravan you will get an increase in oil temp dependant on your driving style.Not sure with yours but my older avant has an oil cooler built in and is satisfactory for my 1200kg caravan.if Audi want to be picky then they can possibly link any issues you have with gearbox/drivetrain with towing.

    If it were me i'd go for the aftermarket Bossal or something like that if in the unlikely event you have issues that maybe connected to eccessive towing then remove the TB before claiming on your warentee.

    Incidently i'd try other approved VAGs first for a quote because it does sound like overkill to me.

    If you check your manual it should show you the max tow weight, you'll find it's about 75% of the car weight so they can hardly penalise you for following the manual, wonder if anyone agrees with that???
     
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  9. Thumbs up Re: Towbar madness? Audi A4 Avant 
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    Bossal,

    Thank you for that. What I've done so far is throw it back to Gilders the Audi dealer. I went to see the service people and asked them to clarify the situation as to what I could and couldn't tow safely with the existing set up. I also said that if they felt the vehicle as it stands was not suitably equipped for towing I would be looking to them to rectify the situation via 'goodwill' or other means.

    That was last Thursday. I'm waiting for a response. I will check the manual as well. Good idea.
     
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  10. #10
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    Bossal,Westfalia,Witter and Thule all meet or exceed current EU regs and are the towbar of choice
     
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