C7 RS6 Towing advice

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Gazsouthgate
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C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by Gazsouthgate » Sat Nov 07, 2015 11:45 pm

Hi there

I am interested in finding a C7 RS6 to use as a tow-car for a caterham 7. I was hoping you folk might be able to provide some advice.

I understand that you need a C7 with air suspension if you want to tow - can you tell me if this is the standard kit or whether air suspension is an option. I'm trying to work out how hard it will be for me to find a C7 with the right spec for towing or if they will be like hen's teeth!

And more generally can anyone tell me how they have found using the car for track day toy towing? I was keen on an RS4 originally but the towing would be ideal kicker. I saw one at Bedford the other day by the way with the number plate RS06 TOW. Brilliant...if anyone lays claim to that good on you!

James

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scottie1979
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by scottie1979 » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:26 am

yeh that suspension is standard - DRC, the other option is part of the dynamic pack.
the problem you might have is finding one with a tow hook? i guess worst case you can get it retro fitted, i think the prep is there but not 100%
check the configurator on the audi website or download the brochure useful info in there - all be it for the facelift but there arent huge changes

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by wildbore » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:32 am

I bought mine with the factory tow bar. Although I wasn't looking at used cars, in all the time from deciding on an RS6 to it arriving (over a year later) I never saw a car advertised with a tow bar, so it's a very rare option.

All cars with the standard air suspension also come with "tow bar preparation" but I don't know what this is - it may be nothing more than a wiring loom. However, it clearly doesn't add much as a dealer who was trying to sell me an RS6 that was in his showroom quoted £2000 to retro-fit the factory (retracting) tow bar, whereas it's an £825 option if you spec it on the configurator.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by doodlebug » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:49 am

And, tow bar cannot be fitted with carbon package.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by wildbore » Sun Nov 08, 2015 10:19 am

Gazsouthgate wrote:And more generally can anyone tell me how they have found using the car for track day toy towing?
I can confirm that the car doesn't feel under-powered when towing a light trailer. I haven't tried a heavy trailer (such as a caravan) but it probably has sufficient power to tackle that, too.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by footsoldier » Sun Nov 08, 2015 6:11 pm

I've got a car on order with tow bar option. Apparently it folds away when not in use.

It saved me being tempted away from the air suspension, and meant no carbon as well, which made it a cost saving option! (Although my guess is that air suspension is best for what I want - a weaponised family bus, which can transport a lot of people and luggage, in any weather, and which won't see a track).

It wasn't a purchase consideration, but I'm guessing it will ultimately be easier to sell on as well, as there are so few of them, and it's the kind of thing that second hand buyers will want.
Last edited by footsoldier on Sun Nov 08, 2015 6:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by footsoldier » Sun Nov 08, 2015 6:13 pm

PS - given the tow bar enforced absence of carbon, suspension etc, and with discounts, my new car is coming in cheaper than a lot of the second hand cars for sale. It goes into build this week.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by Gazsouthgate » Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:10 pm

Thanks all so much for the help - Footsoldier I'm really interested to hear how you go. "Weaponised family bus" is a brilliant phrase I plan to steal... Mine won't see a track other than to get to the paddock so it doesn't need to be perfectly honed. It just needs to be big, noisy and fuel inefficient.

So if I understand the posts
- Air suspension is standard
- Tow PREPARATION is standard
- Second hand cars fitted with an actual tow bar are rare
- Retro fit may be a bit of a money spinner for Audi but can be done.

Anyone who thinks differently otherwise THANK YOU guys

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by footsoldier » Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:32 pm

Gaz - I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing you can't retrofit to a car which does not have air suspension, or which does have the carbon pack, as neither is possible when new.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by S2GTR » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:01 pm

Gaz,
You could get a Brink or Westfalia tow bar fitted for half the price of the OE Audi item.
Equal quality, maybe even made by them for Audi?
Happy to get you more info if you need it?
Dave.

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by b7rs4saloon » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:40 pm

Hi

I have got a 2013 car with dynamic & DRC.

I retrofitted the westfalia kit to my car (this is who makes the parts for Audi)

It will work with a car that doesn't have air suspension, but my understanding is that it's not homologated?

I did it for 2 reasons, bike rack and towing trailer. The kit I have got is detachable, it doesn't fold electrically tho.

Cheers

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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by doodlebug » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:48 pm

Yep, not homologated, so if you have a prang with the tow bar in use, it's gonna be a headache.

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Shinobi675
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by Shinobi675 » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:49 pm

It's should say the gross towing weight on the v5 mate, if 0 then you end up with the tow police on here telling you the world will end! But either way, interested to see :)
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by SuprSi » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:53 pm

I fitted a tow bar to my C5 to tow two track bikes a few times a year. When towing ~650kg and 2 passengers and other 200kg of gear in the boot it drives lovely. Cruise control on at 60, job done, the suspension doesn't sag much but best to keep an eye on the nose weight of the trailer. You just need to be careful not to floor it as you will probably lose most the stuff off the trailer no matter how well it's strapped down haha.

But yeah, I bet the C7 will be even better for towing.
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Re: C7 RS6 Towing advice

Post by b7rs4saloon » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:59 pm

There is no mention or towing weights on v5 I have just checked, I have also checked the v5 for my defender (2015) that came with a towbar and no mention of towing weights on that either.

Think that's a bit misleading.

The air suspension helps with heavy nose weights on trailers, I know how to load a trailer so never had a problem and I can tell you they tow lovely

I know about the tow police on here! Lol

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