C7 RS6 Towing advice

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superlightr
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by superlightr » Tue Jan 19, 2016 11:53 am

b7rs4saloon wrote:The guys are correct.

When you spec the car to be built you cannot have DRC and tow pack, in Audi's eyes you must have air suspension to be able to tow. I suspect this is so that the car auto levels and jacks the back end up when the trailer is on. You also put the car into towing mode as in my Q7.

I have fitted a towbar on a C7 RS6 with dynamic pack and DRC and not had any issues. As I stated previously tho is because I know how to load a trailer for towing, you must have a big nose weight. We've all seen the Mondeos towing caravans where the front wheels are nearly off the floor and the exhaust is dragging on the floor, the air suspension is designed to compensate that, however a correctly loaded trailer will give you no problems.

General very crude rule is that if you can't lift the hitch then it's too heavy, I would have said no more than 60Kg nose weight and you will be fine, just make sure you balance about the axle correctly.
I swapped from an E63 amg becasue it was not type approved to tow even though a E350 was. The concern I had was that it would invalidate the merc warranty and may invalidate my car insurance when towing ) Merc said they would not fit a tow bar as it was not type approved and would not recommend it as the E63 was not designed for towing hence why going for the RS6 with towpack.

My concern with an after market tow hook on an RS6 is about the warranty/type approval - Im sure it can tow well but if its legally allowed (as not air suspension) or insurance allowed (due to different spec from audi require) I would sooner not take that risk. I would want it in black n white that you are covered on insurance and warranty.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by PJC » Tue Jan 19, 2016 12:52 pm

That's one of the reasons I sold my RS4, as I was told in no uncertain terms by the insurance broker that if i did tow with the RS4 and with it not being homologated for towing then I would invalidate my insurance!.

b7rs4saloon
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by b7rs4saloon » Tue Jan 19, 2016 2:06 pm

You've mIssed the point

RS6 is type approved for towing.

I have a genuine Audi (westfalia) towbar & genuine wiring kit.

The dealer would fit as a retro fit, Audi list the part on their system

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by PJC » Tue Jan 19, 2016 2:28 pm

An Audi Australia dealer have fitted a tow bar on B7 RS4 Avant too, I showed my local Audi dealer the picture and the fact that Audi had fitted it too, and they still weren't interested in fitting one in the UK.

The point is the C7 RS6 homologated to tow with DRC?, if not then you're on a potentially very sticky wicket should the worse thing happen.

There must be a reason why Audi state your can't have a tow bar with DRC on the configurator.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by b7rs4saloon » Tue Jan 19, 2016 8:38 pm

It's a little but more simple that your making it out to be. Either a model is type approved or it isn't, Audi just recommend that you have air suspension if specifying as a factory order.

An rs4 has never been type approved therefore if you fit a towbar you will have issues

b7rs4saloon
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by b7rs4saloon » Tue Jan 19, 2016 8:47 pm

It's the towbar that needs to be type approved, not the car......
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/towing-equipment

The towbar that I have states on in Audi RS6 C7 2012-

superlightr
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by superlightr » Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:21 pm

b7rs4saloon wrote:It's the towbar that needs to be type approved, not the car......
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/towing-equipment

The towbar that I have states on in Audi RS6 C7 2012-
That's fine if you are happy then it sounds like you have done suitable research. I don't know about the RS6 - it wasn't the rout I wanted with the AMG but its pointed me into RS6 ownership so win win :biggrin3:

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by PJC » Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:50 pm

b7rs4saloon wrote:It's the towbar that needs to be type approved, not the car......
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/towing-equipment

The towbar that I have states on in Audi RS6 C7 2012-
Then I am sure you will be fine then.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by gijsv » Tue Jan 19, 2016 11:25 pm

The problem with retractable towbar is the placement of two dynamic ride accumulators in the back.
See this picture:
Image
Therefor only a non retractable will fit.
Last edited by gijsv on Wed Jan 20, 2016 8:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
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wildbore
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by wildbore » Tue Jan 19, 2016 11:54 pm

b7rs4saloon wrote:It's the towbar that needs to be type approved, not the car......
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/towing-equipment

The towbar that I have states on in Audi RS6 C7 2012-
I wanted an E63 but there have not been certified for towing by MB. I made enquiries about getting a bar fitted aftermarket and all the reputable companies refused. Eventually, I phoned Whitter who confirmed that you cannot have a tow bar fitted if the car hasnt been certfified for towing by the manufacturer.

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Shinobi675
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by Shinobi675 » Wed Jan 20, 2016 8:20 am

Yer I had the same issue with my c6 rs6, not type approved, so nobody would touch it :(

If anyone knows where it could be done, let me know!
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by Gazsouthgate » Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:55 pm

gijsv wrote:The problem with retractable towbar is the placement of two dynamic ride accumulators in the back.
See this picture:
Image
Therefor only a non retractable will fit.
Now THAT is the comprehensive answer - well played sir. No Air Suspension No Tow!

Thanks all, appreciate it.

Have decided that such is the limited number of cars on Air, and such is the limited number of track days I'd do with a trailer, i'll not make it a must have.

What a forum

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by gijsv » Fri Jan 22, 2016 5:30 pm

Every RS6 C7 has air-suspension.
So on every RS6 it's possible to place a towbar.
If the RS6 is equiped with DRC (part of dynamic package) it's not possible to order a towbar from factory. Because of the placement of the two dynamic ride accumulators.
But!: here in Holland there is a company where it is possible to retrofit a retractable towbar. They replace the two accumulators to an other place so it will fit.
https://m.facebook.com/AudipartsVeghel/ ... 7265930313
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by doodlebug » Fri Jan 22, 2016 5:42 pm

gijsv wrote:Every RS6 C7 has air-suspension.
So on every RS6 it's possible to place a towbar.
If the RS6 is equiped with DRC (part of dynamic package) it's not possible to order a towbar from factory. Because of the placement of the two dynamic ride accumulators.
But!: here in Holland there is a company where it is possible to retrofit a retractable towbar. They replace the two accumulators to an other place so it will fit.
https://m.facebook.com/AudipartsVeghel/ ... 7265930313
And presumably lose the factory warranty with it.

If you're desperate to tow with an RS6, just get one with air!

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by Knobby » Sat Feb 25, 2017 11:46 pm

Sorry to drag up an old post.. can anyone help me with the Westfalia RS6 part number?

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