Tow Bar....Help!

[Grim]

Just bought my RS4 (B7) Avant, and loving it!!

However I do need a tow bar to carry my Thule bike rack, which is where I need help. Audi do not recommend towing with this vehicle, which I presume is why no tow bar manufacturers list a suitable detachable tow bar. However see link below to car previously advertised for sale with just what i'm looking for......

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... ar#p278982

I know that Brink have been bought by Thule, but does anyone know the correct model of tow bar I should be looking to purchase?
How easy is it to remove/replace mesh panel in rear bumber to gain access?
Anyone recommend somewhere that could supply and fit near me in Berkshire?
Anyone have this setup on their car, looks like this system does not require any cutting of bumper, which I really like. Has anyone else solved, or can give advise on fitting tow bar to RS4 (B7), photo examples would be great?

[PetrolDave]

IIRC any towbar that fits a B7 A4 Avant quattro will fit the RS4.

Audi's official reason for not Type Approving the RS4 (and the S4) for towing is that there isn't sufficient engine cooling...

Because of the lack of Type Approval you'll find it difficult to get many paces to fit a towbar for you.

[RS4pete]

I'm sure i read somewhere it was due to a 'lack of gearbox cooling' ... i guess i makes no odds though. If what you're towing weigh's less than say 4 average weight people and an full boot ... so maybe 400KG (which im sure a mountain bike or two wouldn't) then i dont see the problem ... that is unless you carry both at the same time! ... but even then doubt it would make much odds

I did look into towbars a while back but couldn't find one that didn't required the bumper to be cut.

[pDkALO]

I'm in exactly the same position and aim to get one fitted to my Avant soon. The very mention of towbars on RSs seems to be an emotive subject for some - for me I'm all for it provided it doesn't spoil the look of the car, but everyone has their own preferences I guess.

From the research I've done, I agree with other comments that a towbar for a Quattro B7 should work (I assume you're thinking of a detachable type?)

As per the other posts, the general consensus about why Audi don't supply one seems to be an official line that it's to do with cooling, but even if that's the case, let's face it - a bike carrier even with 3 bikes is nothing compared to the weight of 5 adults and luggage, so surely it's never going to be an issue.

Cooling being the real reason or not though, I think it's just as likely that Audi just took the view that so few people will go for one on a small volume car that they wouldn't bother testing it, hence it doesn't have the type approval. They'd also have to manufacture an optional lower bumper trim part to take the detachable towbar - and as an example, they don't even make one of those for something as run of the mill an s-line A3 tdi 140, so what were the chances with an RS?

I did some research with suppliers and no-one out there seems prepared to fit one and provide a warranty, but that wouldn't bother me as I plan to do it myself - if it's anything like other Audi towbar fitments it should be straightforward, with the most fiddly bit just getting the bumper off. The bar will most likely be 4 bolts and that's it. It seems likey that the bumper diffuser (mesh type part) will need a notch taken out to allow the detachable bar to fit, but for me that's a price worth paying for saving getting the inside of the car filthy. I'm not totally sure, but I suspect that the diffuser is separate to the bumper so could be replaced later if say, removing the towbar when selling the car - I'm going to check with my local dealer's parts guys.

A point to note is electrics - you can fit a canbus compliant kit for about £200 that if set up properly thru Vagcom should disable the parking sensors when something's connected - on many Audis it also enables an additional light on the dash for the trailer indicators and does something to the ESP to prevent snaking. However...the dash on an RS4 doesn't have that additional light anyway, so I have my doubts that the ESP has that programme built in either. My local dealer has suggested that a standard aftermarket electric towing socket with relays (closer to £20 instead of £200!) carefully scotch locked into the rear lights will be absolutely fine. And so if all you gain is auto switch off of the sensors, personally I'd save £180 and press the button on the dash if I've got the bikes on the back.

Someone posted on the subject on Audi-sport.net which is worth looking at : http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/rs4-forum- ... s4-b7.html

Let me know how you get on if you get to try this first, cheers David

[Grim]

Thanks for replies and information.
Although cutting minimal for Westfalia bar I prefer idea of Brink (Thule) bar which appears to pass through aperture created by removing mesh part of rear bumper. Hopefully when tow bar not in use mesh can easily be re-fixed meaning no cutting or evidence of tow bar. I'm basing this purely on photo's displayed on link in my first post, so wish me luck!
If I order today it may arrive for weekend, and I can report back my findings. Worst case is it doesn't work and I send back, order Westfalia and cut underneath bumper.

Can anyone advise where all fixings are for rear bumper, and therefore correct procedure for removal?
Would be really good if someone knows how mesh panel fits into rear bumper and whether it can easily be removed/re-fixed with bumper on car?

[MB2]

I am sure the mesh is detachable with the bumper in-situ as (Neckurslum I believe) mentioned this when checking TPMS senders - try searching "TPMS suicide" rather than bumper removal maybe ?

Be interesting to hear how you get on, I think the lack of towbar is more down to bumper styling than lack of testing but do wonder why on earth we don't even get a tow hook facility at the back. My Golf R32 was the same but that was clearly because they had butchered the back of the shell with a gas axe to fit a dual outlet exhaust but that isn't the case here.

[pDkALO]

To fit the bar, it will almost certainly be a bumper off job, as most bars have 2 long rails that slide into place - the energy absorbing block hidden behind the bumper will also need to be removed.

Re bumper removal, I haven't tried yet, but if it's anything like an A3 (and I'd guess it is), the main fixings are behind the outer light clusters, so you'll need to pop both of those out first (again if anything like an A3, after undoing the bolt inside the boot it's a case of gentle teasing rather than pull as hard as you can, as the latter approach can snap the pop-in clips towards the front of the lights - d'Oh!); there will probably be another set of fixings accessed through the trim by the boot lip, or perhaps under the boot floor. There will also be a bunch of screws holding the front egdes of the bumper around the rear of the wheel arch, and possibly under the car right at the front of the bumper. I've found that once you've found all of them and removed them, the bumper will slide straight off without any bother - if it doesn't want to move, chances are you've missed one!

Oh and don't forget to unclip the parking sensors once the bumper's loose before you walk away with it!

I've just spoken to my dealer and the mesh part is definitely separate to the bumper, so my plan will be to fit the bar, re-fit the bumper (without the mesh trim) then see what mods need to be done to the trim before re-fitting

[Grim]

Placed my order for Thule/Brink detachable tow bar, but not in stock so delivery not expected until next weekend.
Be patient and I'll let you know how I get on, until then I intend to enjoy my new toy!

[Grim]

I ordered a Thule/Brink detachable tow bar for A4 Estate quattro, number B440400a from Towequipe.

Getting bumper off was stressful as I don't like pulling on interior trim until sure of where all fittings are located, but got there in the end. I bought a Haynes manual in the end. Actual tow bar fitting was easy, especially with help of an eight year old to hold mounting nut above silencer!

Grill in rear bumper pops in and out, mine had metal clip for added security. I've removed so that grill can be removed easily. Mounting for tow bar touches back of grill, so it bows out now at top very slighly. You can only notice when really looking. No cutting of body work or bumber at all, and almost completly invisible when not in use. I'm pleased with result.

Just electrics to wire in. I've ordered 7 way relay to ensure cars electrics not affected when bike rack plugged in, means I will need to switch off parking sensors manually.

I did take many more pictures as works progressed, so if anyone does want more info let me know and I will create pdf.

[pDkALO]

Nice work, and that's a great result in my book! Really good that when it's off it doesn't affect the aesthetics, so an unmarked RS when not in use, and and extremely fast stable bike carrier when fitted - I'm definitey going to follow this route based on your experience, so pics or a PDF would be much appreciated.

Also, do you reckon that the grill could be tweaked to eliminate the slight bulge? And from what you've experienced so far, do you think it's worth putting some kind of additional fixing to the grille just to make sure it doesn't come out in normal driving, or does it seem solid once popped back?

Cheers

[Grim]

I'll try to pull pictures and notes together soon.

Nothing you can do with Bulge as cause is the socket for the detachable section, so I wouldn't risk modifying. However it is only slight, and once stood back from car no one would know.

Grill appears solid. I've even greased mine to aid removal as it still needs fair old push from behind to pop out. I've tested at RS4 pace and it hasn't moved yet!

[jonwitts]

Glad to see other folk have gone and fitted tow bars. I thing the link of my work was posted at the beginning of this thread. Nice to see a different approach to my hacking a lump out of the rear bumper.

I've done three trips to the alps now, fully loaded with 3 bikes and blokes - great way to travel , especially when you get to the alpine roads !

Enjoy

Jon

[Nudenut]

Kudos to you for having the nads to just go with it mate, looks bang on what you was after, you gotta be well pleased with that!!

['R'e'S'pect_4]

I've tested at RS4 pace and it hasn't moved yet!

This must count as Type approval for the RS4 then i reckon !

[Nudenut]

I've tested at RS4 pace and it hasn't moved yet!

This must count as Type approval for the RS4 then i reckon !

I second that.... now Grim, let's do the R8 towing arm!! pmsl