Towbar

[Garethtdi100]

Have been looking for a towbar for my RS4 saloon but I can't find anything. Has anyone fitted one?

[Youngben]

can see where this is going.... lol! for all i know, because of the exhaust system its not an option. but cant see it being a problem for a A4 one to fit as its based on the same platform but bumper would need to be cut i assume! would make a pretty cool tow car for my track toy now you mention it haha

[Rick_RS4]

dont think they are allowed to tow or something like that

[Garethtdi100]

I only want it to tow a trials bike or fit a rack for the bike. I suppose going to a towbar specialist would be my bet... Interested to hear what your track car is Youngben. ????

[C17LJR]

Tow bar isn't suitable for the rs4. I know you say it's only for a bike rack etc, but if you were to have an accident, even if completely unrelated to the towbar, I'm sure the insurance would do everything they could to get out of paying,

[Garethtdi100]

I have seen an avant with a towbar. Is this done illegal or can a towbar be fitted to the avant?

[pDkALO]

It's not "illegal", no. There are rumours about it not being possible due to cooling or some such, but even Audi technicians I've spoken to don't think that's true - bottom line it was simply never homologated by Audi, hence there's no Audi part available, hence you'll not find a towbar company that will fit one, because they have to follow what the manufacturers recommend - if it's not homologated, they won't do it.

A bar for a standard B7 quattro fits perfectly. The RS4 exhaust doesn't cause any problems at all - the bar goes nowhere near the 'zorst. The only practical issue is a slight mod to the lower trim panel in the RS bumper - see below.

This topic comes up occasionally and the question about insurance invariably comes up, and yes, it's a good point and one to be aware of. However, mine is declared as a modification on my insurance, and it was insured on that basis, so I simply don't see how an insurer could successfully argue against it in the event of a claim. The principle of non manufacturer approved modifications voiding insurance would be worrying for anyone that's fitted, say, 20" wheels, spacers, CAFs etc etc... so that would be the majority of people on here!

[andre3k]

If you were involved in an accident that turned criminal ie. somebody was killed or something, you'd be fukd. You've willingly modified your car in a manner that's caused injury/death to someone else.

[edge]

If you were involved in an accident that turned criminal ie. somebody was killed or something, you'd be fukd. You've willingly modified your car in a manner that's caused injury/death to someone else.

If the tow bar or tow related item was the issue or assume that go for any modification not declared to your insurance comapany

[Gripper1]

If you were involved in an accident that turned criminal ie. somebody was killed or something, you'd be fukd. You've willingly modified your car in a manner that's caused injury/death to someone else.

What about any modification that is none 'Audi approved' which is the majority of them out there, that could turn 'criminal'? That is a massive can of worms which is best kept closed for all our sakes.

eg. You fit non standard alloys, one falls off the car and takes out a pedestrian. Or you fit non OEM make tyres, lose control of the car and crash into someone else.

I'd like to think the driver would be charged with manslaughter if a wheel they fit fell off the car and if you crashed into someone else it was careless driving. Nothing to do with non audi approved parts been fitted.

Personally as long as the car/chassis has the mounting points to tow, an approved towbar for that model of car is fitted. And more importantly is insured as a modification under insurance I don't see what the problem is?

[MB2]

I do think because we are all enthusiasts we all get a little hung up about this as we know the cars so well. If my neighbour bought an RS4 with a towbar fitted he would just think (quite rightly) it has a towbar - I doubt it would cross his mind to contact Audi and check the type approval situation.

My mother has an aftermarket exhaust, brakes and stereo fitted to her car & am certain has never informed the insurance - they were fitted by Kwik-Fit or whoever she uses for this stuff so not "performance parts" but neither are they VW parts.

Whilst I would never want to be in the position of having the insurance try to get out of a claim - I would be surprised if it is quite as simple as that - for example they have to insure you (willingly) driving drunk or on drugs...

[edge]

$hit.... time to return to stock............