Towbar- towball weight, help

[jmsaintpierre]

Hi guys,

We have an Audi Q5 and m in the process of buying a camper trailer ( so far I have my eyes on a few lifestyle and track about ).
But, I'm getting confused with the fundamentals of towball weight and towbar.
The Audi Q5 manual/specification recommends a max towball weight of 100kg. The Hayman Reece tow hitch is rated at 2400kg towing-240ball weight. M not sure if the manual is a direct translation from German to English and the specs applies to European standards.
So is the ball weight relative to throw vehicle and it s suspension or more to do with the manufacturer of the tow hitch?
I even rang Audi support ( as good as useless), he was not sure and told me to ring my local dealer.
So I did, but h wasn't much better. After looking it up, he told me 2000kg/200. So now I have 3 different versions- 2000kg/100, 2400kg/240 and last 2000kg/200.
Absolutely confused.
Can anybody share some light on this topic.
If m limited to 100kg towball weight, my options are seriously compromised.
I guess some may say to get a on road trailer but my idea is to tow the camper trailer with the q5 when ever I can and if I want to go to Moreton, or remote, swap cars with my dad ( cruise 200 series Sahara ).
Hope to read from you soon
Regads

[The punter]

Buy the camper you want, use your dads truck to go bush. The appeal of the Audi will fade and you will end up acing it for a real truck. It happens to the best of us ;-)

[KingBilly]

Towing capacity and towball weight is determined by the vehicle manufacturer.  The Q5 has a towing capacity of 2000kg.  The specifications are silent on towball weight but I would assume 10% which is what most other manufacturers recommend.  In Europe I would guess it is a lot less so the 100kg may be correct for Europe.

KB

[BaseCamp]

Unfortunately for what you want to do; the 100kgs that the vehicle manual is telling you; matters the most -- not the capacity of the tow hitch....

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

[paull]

Max legal towing capacity (both overall max trailer weight and tow ball weight) are the lesser of the figures quoted by either the vehicle manufacturer or the manufacturer of your tow bar.  If the manual says 100kg max tow ball weight, then unless you can get official figures from Audi that are higher than that I would say that is your legal limit. Obviously the tow bar, and you would assume the vehicle itself, it capable of towing more if HR are giving figures of 240kg, but that wouldn't make it legal in case of an accident if Audi only say 100kg.

[jmsaintpierre]

Punter: thanks for the advice.. Trust me, I would in a blink of an eye, but due to my wife's business we need a semi large luxury SUV. I, have company vehicle which we are no longer allowed to tow in our private time ( courtesy of a few idiots at work that have pushed the boubaries). As for the old man car, he s also an avid camper ( having a bush tracker caravan).

Kingbilly and Basecamp:Audi local spare part dealer did mentioned something about the 2000kg/200.
What I don t understand is the ability to tow 2000kg according to the manual, but only 100kg towball weight. How is that possible. What 2000kg only puts 100kg on the ball.

[gronk]

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjCsuOswa_PAhVGH5QKHe7PB74QFghcMAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.towbarsaustralia.com.au%2Ftowbar-kits%2Fq5-sq5-wagon&usg=AFQjCNH5zVXpajUKkKihivxIrHlL9duioA

Ring this mob and ask if they supply any paperwork to back up their 240kg ball limit !!

[UIZ733]

You need to check if the towball 'weight' listed in your Audi manual is the Euro specification. The current Euro max %, (of trailer mass) appears to be 4% of the recommended maximum allowable Euro towing weight.
Australian maximum towing weights (for identical model of vehicle) are often quite different to those specified for Europe.
My SsangYong is rated for 3200Kg in Europe with a 128Kg ball weight, however here it is specified as 2600Kg.
In New Zealand it is rated to 3000Kg. Something happens when it crosses the equator and additionally crossing 'the ditch' has a further detrimental impact on specs.

[jmsaintpierre]

Gronk - Paul:
Thanks for the reply.
I did see that mob at towbar Australia claiming 2400/240 and your idea of backing it up is a great idea.
I will also, email Audi Australia as to have a definite in writing response to cover all bases.
Regards

[Ragman]

you would want to go with a light weight camper,
I did a quick google on lifestyle and track about campers,
not much info on weights in either sites leaped out at me.
However they seem to be extreme ends of the camper range so I guess the field is open?

IMO its much more fun towing something small and light than a massive rig approaching or exceeding the tugs GVM.

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

You could have a look at the Track Tvan Yalara/sport model.
Comes without a kitchen and a lighter towball weight than the rest of the Tvan range, due to no kitchen, front box, gas bottles or spare on the A frame.
It is a hard floor camper, Queen size bed, can be fitted with extra canvas, choose from list of extras.
You could go with a box trailer with a Roof Top Tent also.  That's how a lot of Aussie Campers began.  Tent may have been a bit different from a RTT.
It's your choice, there are options out there.
Have a good time working it out.

[Traveller]

If I remember correctly (happens rarely these days), Ultimate campers have a 75kg tow ball weight. If you have the cash then at least it is an alternative.

Good luck with your choice.

[oldmate]

If I remember correctly (happens rarely these days), Ultimate campers have a 75kg tow ball weight. If you have the cash then at least it is an alternative.

Good luck with your choice.

The xtrk has 35kg and the xplor gt is 45kg. I have never measure mine, as I know it's well within limits of my vehicle, but I would estimate mine to be about 90kg at the most when we are hooked ready to go away.  I have lifted it by myself, and I'm only a small p!ss week little bloke. Lol
It was a one og the major reasons we went this way, apart from the fact we loved the trailer as a whole.
One has come up for sale on the owners Facebook page.
http://www.ultimateoffroadcampers.com.au/our-model-range/xtrk/

[Mace]

Interesting thread here:

http://www.audiworld.com/forums/q5-sq5-discussion-129/anyone-towing-their-q5-2813315/page4/

Someone mentions a 440lb (200kg) tounge weight limit there.

Id be re-confirming with Audi. There are variations throughout the model range.

[jmsaintpierre]

Hi guys,

Thanks heaps for all the replies and advice.
I LOVE the ultimate campers and if I could justify it, I would in a blink of an eye. Just love their shape, design, construction but since we probably only going to camp 5 to 6 times a year, I d say it probably over budget.

As for the Audi link, thanks again mate. As I read, it appears that in the us the tow ball weight is about 440 pounds which makes it similar to the advertised weight rating of some tow hitch here in oz.
May be, there are different ratings for Europe and us/Aus.. Anyway, I emailed Audi Australia, stating that some of their dealers mentioned a 200kg tow all weight but their manual states 100kg. I explained my concerns for warranty and insurance purposes, so let s see what happens.

Again, thank you to every body f contributing to the conversation.
Hopefully Audi will respond soon with some good news. If m allowed to tow 2000/200, it opens the doors to many campers..
Regards

[GROB]

A lot of Utes are the same , I have a Narvara D22 duel cab can tow 2800kg but only a 150 tow ball weight

[scblack]

Hi guys,

Thanks heaps for all the replies and advice.
I LOVE the ultimate campers and if I could justify it, I would in a blink of an eye. Just love their shape, design, construction but since we probably only going to camp 5 to 6 times a year, I d say it probably over budget.

As for the Audi link, thanks again mate. As I read, it appears that in the us the tow ball weight is about 440 pounds which makes it similar to the advertised weight rating of some tow hitch here in oz.
May be, there are different ratings for Europe and us/Aus.. Anyway, I emailed Audi Australia, stating that some of their dealers mentioned a 200kg tow all weight but their manual states 100kg. I explained my concerns for warranty and insurance purposes, so let s see what happens.

Again, thank you to every body f contributing to the conversation.
Hopefully Audi will respond soon with some good news. If m allowed to tow 2000/200, it opens the doors to many campers..
Regards

To be honest I don't like your chances. I looked at a VW Tiguan, which is the same car under the skin as the Audi Q5. In Australia the Tiguan has 2,200kg tow limit. But only 100kg towball down weight.

I'd reckon the manual stating 100kg will the answer.

[The punter]

To be honest I don't like your chances. I looked at a VW Tiguan, which is the same car under the skin as the Audi Q5. In Australia the Tiguan has 2,200kg tow limit. But only 100kg towball down weight.

I'd reckon the manual stating 100kg will the answer.

Looks like we are back to new truck!  ;-)

[Steffo1]

A lot of Utes are the same , I have a Narvara D22 duel cab can tow 2800kg but only a 150 tow ball weight

My '93 Cruiser 'tilly 4.2 diesel is rated 3500 kg with 110 kg ball weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In '96 it changed to 250kg ball weight for the same vehicle but legally I'm stuck with 110kg 
Steve

[Footy Shorts Shane]

My '93 Cruiser 'tilly 4.2 diesel is rated 3500 kg with 110 kg ball weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In '96 it changed to 250kg ball weight for the same vehicle but legally I'm stuck with 110kg 
Steve

Was that about the same time they went coil front with 'comfort' rear leaf (read that as anything more than a bag of cement in the tray and your Tilly is dragging its arse like a dog with worms) springs?

Sorry OP, can't help with the Audi.

Shane.

[Steffo1]

Was that about the same time they went coil front with 'comfort' rear leaf (read that as anything more than a bag of cement in the tray and your Tilly is dragging its arse like a dog with worms) springs?

Sorry OP, can't help with the Audi.

Shane.

Dunno Shane, all I know is that putting my full 1000litre fire tank on drops the tray about 45mm.
I'd like to stick it on the back of one of the new, so called one tonners, & see what happens. Maybe the rear leaf spring strength is the reason for the low tow ball weight? Something to do with dynamics of the rear of the vehicle.
Steve

[cheif carlos]

Best way, walk into an Audi dealer and ask the dealer to give you a accurate printout from their source and explain why they cannot take 10% of their towing capacity.

Also they may be looking at less a fully laden vehicle. ie 4 people equipement ETC

[Hewy54]

My '93 Cruiser 'tilly 4.2 diesel is rated 3500 kg with 110 kg ball weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In '96 it changed to 250kg ball weight for the same vehicle but legally I'm stuck with 110kg 
Steve

You may find it is only rated at 2500kg

[Bad Scott]

Punter: thanks for the advice.. Trust me, I would in a blink of an eye, but due to my wife's business we need a semi large luxury SUV. I, have company vehicle which we are no longer allowed to tow in our private time ( courtesy of a few idiots at work that have pushed the boubaries). As for the old man car, he s also an avid camper ( having a bush tracker caravan).

Kingbilly and Basecamp:Audi local spare part dealer did mentioned something about the 2000kg/200.
What I don t understand is the ability to tow 2000kg according to the manual, but only 100kg towball weight. How is that possible. What 2000kg only puts 100kg on the ball.

An Ultimate camper

[scblack]

Best way, walk into an Audi dealer and ask the dealer to give you a accurate printout from their source and explain why they cannot take 10% of their towing capacity.

Also they may be looking at less a fully laden vehicle. ie 4 people equipement ETC

European towing limits work different to Australia and USA, and do not work with the 10% limit, which is only a guideline, not a rule as such. But pretty standard for us.

Their towball limits are very low compared to Aus & USA, as they look to balance trailers more than we do.