towbar on an rs6

[rallye]

Hi as anybody out there got a towbar on a rs6 avant I've got a s6 avant at the moment and would like to change to an rs6. Audi say its not suitable for a towbar but having looked at one and compared to mine I cant see why the towbar would not fit.

[bogie]

its not that it cant fit, its something to do with the engine overheating under load etc I think....cant see why it wouldnt be OK to tow a trailer etc and keep an eye on engine temps etc...so long as you dont stick 2tons behind it etc

[SteveH]

Bogie is right, it does fit but Audi strongly suggest that its a bad idea as the transmission is not designed to take a load in tow... General opinion is that fitting a tow bar invalidates Audi warranty (and probably independants) due to going against the grain of the manufacturers guidelines.

If your out of warranty and willing to use common sense (not discharging 450 horses off the lights with a load holding the car back that would probably strip the transmission clean!), then you would probably be fine, I recall Edcase thought of fitting a tow bar for a mountain bike attachment, not to tow a load as such.

[edcase]

One note is that they will need to cut a small amount off your rear apron to fit a towbar. I was told you wouldn't be able to see it, but chose not to go that route nonetheless.

[minou]

ran rs6 avant for several years with a Westfalia detachable towbar. Towed lotus sunbeam to Germany and around UK and other general purpose trailers. No problem at all. minor piece if rear apron needed removing but only visible if I laid on my back underneath. I now have a RS4 avant with a Westfalia detachable. Let me know if you want more information. I live in east midlands of UK and had both bars fitted in Leicester.

colin

[mbedford]

I had a westphalia detachable towbar fitted to my rs6. The cut on the rear apron is not visible on mine unless you squat down at the back. The car is ebony black so this may help a little. The transmission will easily cope with the towing duties as long as you don't drive stupidly, after all it's got a higher torque rating than the auto transmissions used in the tdi versions, and they're rated to tow 2100kg. I tow 1400kg with mine, even up 1 in 5 gradients. I use the paddle shift as it tends to slur the changes less, therefore less heat, and I also run a different transmission fluid with a higher heat rating for added security. Don't be put off.

[rallye]

Hi thanks for the replys it seems the westfalia towbar fitted to my s6 would go straight onto an rs6 good to know. I dont tow often but when I am towing I tow a rally car on a trailer about 1400kg. The rs6 is not homologated for towing so I'm not sure of the legalitys of towing with one but I think it my be time for a change to an rs6.