Towbars

Post by **TarmacTerrorist** » Sat May 01, 2004 12:53 pm

Im looking to put a tow bar on the car but would ideally like one which is detachable so It's only on there when I need it. Anyone got any suggestions where to get one from or a specific make to look out for?? I need to tow 250kg max.

Cheers

Post by **PhilT** » Sat May 01, 2004 2:08 pm

There are issues with towbars and RS4s.... I don't think Audi will fit them.

250kg, that's a light caravan!!

Post by **Iain** » Sat May 01, 2004 3:03 pm

There was one in SKF once for sale with a towbar fitted. Looked lovely.....a diy job on the rear bumber with a nice big section missing to accomodate the tow bar? DONT DO IT!!!

Are u joining the caravan club? A nice Rover 45 would suit?

Post by **TarmacTerrorist** » Sat May 01, 2004 10:23 pm

Caravan :burstsideslaughing: not quite that old yet!

No, I finally scratched an itch thats been bugging me for ages and bought myself a 2-stroke race kart

picking it up early next week and entering my first race next w/e. Cant wait, just dont want to having to trek around the country in a tranny van

Post by **PhilT** » Sat May 01, 2004 10:27 pm

Won't it fit in the back of the RS?

Post by **TarmacTerrorist** » Sat May 01, 2004 10:33 pm

My missus Yaris has more useable space in the back!

Post by **PhilT** » Sat May 01, 2004 10:35 pm

Only trying to help, ya caravan lova. Stick a towbar on the Yaris then

Post by **TarmacTerrorist** » Sat May 01, 2004 10:41 pm

Phil, I have those roof mounted, chromed airhorns that you asked for here mate.

Seriously, there must be a discrete light weight detachable towbar out there that I dont have to cut away the rear bumper, looking under neath the obvious place to attach it would be on the bottom of the wheel well were the tow eye is already, this doesn't hinder the bumper when towing.

Post by **Iain** » Sat May 01, 2004 11:49 pm

2 stroke race cart or 4 berth Avondale caravan......dont be shy.....you're amongst friends.....

You'll be the fastest caravan tower in the West..............................Eat ur heart out clint!!!

Post by **TarmacTerrorist** » Sun May 02, 2004 2:01 am

In the north east more like

Post by **simple1** » Tue May 04, 2004 9:18 am

Friend of mine has a tow bar on the rear of his RS4, he tows his ex-works mini to sprints and hillclimbs with it, I can find out who fitted it if you like.

Post by **FatBoy** » Tue May 04, 2004 10:29 am

Any towbar fitted to a vehicle manufactured after August 1999 MUST be certified to European Directive 94/20/EC. This states that the towbar MUST use the manufacturers original towbar mounting points. To use anything else is ana offence under the Road Traffic Act.
The good news is that, provided a certified towbar is fitted, it will not in any way effect the vehicle warranty.
However, I don't think you'll find one for the RS4 that won't in some way. require cutting the bumper. Every variation of manufactured towbar has to go through extensive testing (at significant cost) and I doubt there is enough demand for RS4 towbars to make it viable.
I've just had a towbar fitted to my wife's A4 Avant. Audi (Listers in Coventry) wanted to charge me over £1,100 to fit one (apparently, they said it too 7.5 hours). I decided to have one fitted at Towequipe in Nuneation, who charged me £299 inc. fitting, and I have to say, they appear to have done an excellent job........in 3.5 hours.
I then called back the Service Manager at Listers and questioned him as to why his "highly trained" Audi technicians took twice as long to fit a towbar as a "non-Audi specialst" fitter. He replied that it wouldn't have been fitted in accordance with Audi's recommendations and that it would invalidate the warranty......a very serious accusation!.....and total Bo***cks

Good luck with your search....or use the Yaris

Paul

Post by **Golich** » Tue May 04, 2004 2:13 pm

HHmm I too have thought about this option for towing a motocrosser or jet bike - not sure what toy

I thought there would be issues about fitting one to the S4/RS4 w.r.t the low rear bumper. I thought about seeing what is on the market and comparing designs of any detachable type tow bar for an A4 Avant and cutting/welding in short, modifying to suit the RS4's bumper.

As a structural design engineer there is no reason this can't be done very easily. Any reputable engineering/fabrication firm (preferably using qualified welders) could undertake this work.

As for invalidating any warranty. Assuming the rear chassis members/floor pan of the RS4 is the same as ever other A4 of that year, as would seem to be the case given that spare wheel well was never modified for the 18inch wheel. There is no sound argument that I can think of why a towbar designed for the A4 avant chassis mounting points would invalidate the warranty. So long as we used Audi's mounting points in conjunction with Audi's maximum load rating.

With respect to the load rating; since the towbar would have to come lower than a standard A4 there would be a corresponding increase in moment on the mounting point. But this would be small. It's not like we would need another 500mm of towbar sticking out the back!

Ground clearance would also have to be checked but I would be very surprised if this was an issue.

My key concern with anybody following this advice would be to make sure they use a reputable engineering firm to carry out any work.

Where they would confirm the grade of material used. i.e. both structural and welding filler material.
The quality of welding and final dressing of the weld should be to industry recognised standards such that strength and fatigue resistance is the best it can be.

To be honest none of the above is difficult or out of the norm. to achieve and the current quality of welding and materials I have seen on tow bars in the past was nothing special.

I can offer my engineering services for anyone interested discount rate for RS246.com members of course

Post by **FatBoy** » Tue May 04, 2004 3:29 pm

Golich,
Any of the modifications you suggest would constitute a contravention of the Road Traffic Act and would therefore, be endorsable offences.
However, the likelihood of anyone noticing would be very low IMO. The biggest risk would be in the event of an accident and the vehicle being subsequently checked over by the police.
I have found a couple of companies that produce a towbar for the S4, but not the RS4.

Paul

Post by **Mog** » Tue May 04, 2004 7:28 pm

When I had a Subaru P1 the reason given for no towbar was that the vehicle hadn't been Type Approved for that option and was too costly for such a limited run of cars, perhaps this applies to the RS4.

Mog

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