Pulling a camper
08-27-2012, 04:12 AM
#51
AudiWorld Member
CN, if I'm looking at your pics correctly, it looks like the rear trailer tire has more load than the front does...
maybe that's just a diff in air pressure, but that seems to indicate the trailer load isn't balanced on the trailer IMHO...
I'm sure you've taken care to balance it, but that's what it looks like...
The reason it's different here in the states is because it's different - neither one is wrong
I remember towing with my nice CJ5 back in the late 80's and since it would climb a tree figured it could tow a trailer of household stuff when we moved...
my young and dumb friends and I rented a 20 foot box trailer and they hooked it up...
UNLOADED the trailer was really more than the CJ SHOULD have towed...
loaded with refrigerators, etc. and coming down I-35E in Dallas I hit a couple of dips and humps that without a LOT of luck and corrections could have been a disaster.
While I did balance it well (I thought) the roads undulations UNbalanced it quickly and the trailer tongue bounced the rear of the jeep all over two lanes before I got it slowed... I do recall that most of the issue was the trailer LIFTED the rear tires of the jeep off the ground and bump steered it to the side.
My then 4 year old son with me even squealed "Whee Daddy, let's do that again!!!"
So TOO light tongue weights in many cases are worse than too much.
Gotta run, going to do some tweaking on our 15k 5th wheel rv for a month long trip in Oct! Oh, it's pin weight is 2500+ lbs
maybe that's just a diff in air pressure, but that seems to indicate the trailer load isn't balanced on the trailer IMHO...
I'm sure you've taken care to balance it, but that's what it looks like...
The reason it's different here in the states is because it's different - neither one is wrong
I remember towing with my nice CJ5 back in the late 80's and since it would climb a tree figured it could tow a trailer of household stuff when we moved...
my young and dumb friends and I rented a 20 foot box trailer and they hooked it up...
UNLOADED the trailer was really more than the CJ SHOULD have towed...
loaded with refrigerators, etc. and coming down I-35E in Dallas I hit a couple of dips and humps that without a LOT of luck and corrections could have been a disaster.
While I did balance it well (I thought) the roads undulations UNbalanced it quickly and the trailer tongue bounced the rear of the jeep all over two lanes before I got it slowed... I do recall that most of the issue was the trailer LIFTED the rear tires of the jeep off the ground and bump steered it to the side.
My then 4 year old son with me even squealed "Whee Daddy, let's do that again!!!"
So TOO light tongue weights in many cases are worse than too much.
Gotta run, going to do some tweaking on our 15k 5th wheel rv for a month long trip in Oct! Oh, it's pin weight is 2500+ lbs
Actually there is a bit of a story behind that. After I'd loaded the car and got everything all balanced up, I stepped away to take that picture and when I did, I noticed the right hand rear tyre. I took the photo and then checked the tyre pressures and found that one to be down. After fixing all the tyre pressures, I had to recheck the balance.
I was hoping no one would pick up on it in that photo though it always bugs me when I post it up!
JBT, you win the prize for most observant (or is that the prize for being cheeky enough to pull me up on it)
Kleinbus, that trailer uses steel leaf springs, not sure if it has any form of load equalisation between the axles though.
I think Aus is probably a bit closer to the UK and Europe than it is to the US in that our vehicles are generally not "super sized". So trailers are possibly designed with that in mind.
08-27-2012, 04:37 AM
#52
AudiWorld Senior Member
Not busting your chops at all !
just know the things that nipped me in the bottom when setting up my tow vehicles etc...
I tend to check the rv tires after they have been cooled down in the storage area for a bit...
I make note how much is needed to get psi up to 110 lbs on each of the four cool tires.
then when I take off I go to somewhere that can pump 110 lbs,
I add the needed psi to the heated up temps as ours can change 10 lbs in a few miles of driving.
just know the things that nipped me in the bottom when setting up my tow vehicles etc...
I tend to check the rv tires after they have been cooled down in the storage area for a bit...
I make note how much is needed to get psi up to 110 lbs on each of the four cool tires.
then when I take off I go to somewhere that can pump 110 lbs,
I add the needed psi to the heated up temps as ours can change 10 lbs in a few miles of driving.
Last edited by JohnBoyToo; 08-27-2012 at 04:44 AM.
08-27-2012, 05:05 PM
#53
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So my dealer said to read my owners manual and AUDI Canada never responded to my email request. I've gone ahead and purchased (tentatively) a Palomino Stampede S17 since it's under the Q5 max pulling ability.
My next project is the trailer brake controller... Has anyone put one in yet? I keep reading of the 4 plug adapter under the dash, but I'm not familiar with these switches. Has anyone documented the install and wires that come off the controllers?
My next project is the trailer brake controller... Has anyone put one in yet? I keep reading of the 4 plug adapter under the dash, but I'm not familiar with these switches. Has anyone documented the install and wires that come off the controllers?
As for the brake controller, I have it coming through the ask tray. When not in use, I can disconnect it and put the tray insert back in hiding the install. I'll post pics once I have the support base installed.
08-28-2012, 04:51 AM
#54
AudiWorld Senior Member
I really don't know if the q's chassis can deal with the wdh,
but if you explain it @ irv2.com or rv.net I'm sure they can offer assistance...
I found this on etrailer.com - a good source of rv equipment:
http://www.etrailer.com/question-41353.html
This says this hitch is not rated for wdh:
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...eid=2012304182
or in the archives here:
https://forums.audiworld.com/archive...t-2796685.html
a dealer with info:
http://www.sunsetimports.com/resourc...hitched-today/
but if you explain it @ irv2.com or rv.net I'm sure they can offer assistance...
I found this on etrailer.com - a good source of rv equipment:
http://www.etrailer.com/question-41353.html
This says this hitch is not rated for wdh:
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...eid=2012304182
or in the archives here:
https://forums.audiworld.com/archive...t-2796685.html
a dealer with info:
http://www.sunsetimports.com/resourc...hitched-today/
Last edited by JohnBoyToo; 08-28-2012 at 04:59 AM.
08-28-2012, 05:09 AM
#55
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Thanks for the links
I found this on etrailer.com - a good source of rv equipment:
http://www.etrailer.com/question-41353.html
*Ponch* - ya say this also. He recommends checking with the dealer.
This says this hitch is not rated for wdh:
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...eid=2012304182
*Ponch* - this is talking about their hitch and not the Q5 I believe.
or in the archives here:
https://forums.audiworld.com/archive...t-2796685.html
*Ponch* - some additional chats, but no answers.
a dealer with info:
http://www.sunsetimports.com/resourc...hitched-today/
*Ponch* - this talks about the Q7 which their owners manual specifically states not to use one. The Q5 doesn't have this statement.
and misc:
http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com...tches/_Audi-Q5
*Ponch* - this is interesting as it shows a link for the Q5 for a WDH and when you click on it, it provides a few options.
I got an email from audi.de this morning saying that they'll get back to me... Surprised that after 4 yes this hasn't come up yet. Ah well.
I found this on etrailer.com - a good source of rv equipment:
http://www.etrailer.com/question-41353.html
*Ponch* - ya say this also. He recommends checking with the dealer.
This says this hitch is not rated for wdh:
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...eid=2012304182
*Ponch* - this is talking about their hitch and not the Q5 I believe.
or in the archives here:
https://forums.audiworld.com/archive...t-2796685.html
*Ponch* - some additional chats, but no answers.
a dealer with info:
http://www.sunsetimports.com/resourc...hitched-today/
*Ponch* - this talks about the Q7 which their owners manual specifically states not to use one. The Q5 doesn't have this statement.
and misc:
http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com...tches/_Audi-Q5
*Ponch* - this is interesting as it shows a link for the Q5 for a WDH and when you click on it, it provides a few options.
I got an email from audi.de this morning saying that they'll get back to me... Surprised that after 4 yes this hasn't come up yet. Ah well.
08-28-2012, 05:12 AM
#56
AudiWorld Senior Member
and here's the draw tite version:
http://www.draw-tite.com/content/pro...040&part=75708
weight carrying, not weight distributing though
good luck
http://www.draw-tite.com/content/pro...040&part=75708
weight carrying, not weight distributing though
good luck
08-28-2012, 05:51 AM
#57
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Okay folks... Just got a call from Audi Canada on the WDH.
Soooo drum roll please.... Soooo the official answer is, Audi can not tell Audi owners not to use equipment on their Audi's however, Audi hasn't tested the set up on the Q5 and therefore cannot advise the use of a WDH. The concern that Audi has is that the WDH could throw off the balance of the Q5 and apply additional stress on the drive train.
Short answer is, Audi can't and won't say don't use one, however they can't recommend the use of one since they haven't tested /validated its use.
Not what I wanted to hear, but at least I now know.
Hope this helps others and if anyone else hears or experiences anything other than this, please share.
Soooo drum roll please.... Soooo the official answer is, Audi can not tell Audi owners not to use equipment on their Audi's however, Audi hasn't tested the set up on the Q5 and therefore cannot advise the use of a WDH. The concern that Audi has is that the WDH could throw off the balance of the Q5 and apply additional stress on the drive train.
Short answer is, Audi can't and won't say don't use one, however they can't recommend the use of one since they haven't tested /validated its use.
Not what I wanted to hear, but at least I now know.
Hope this helps others and if anyone else hears or experiences anything other than this, please share.
08-28-2012, 03:49 PM
#58
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For those who are keeping score, I picked up my 2013 Palomino Stampede S17 today. Skipped the WDH due to the above update but did install and use a P3 break controller and a mechanical sway bar. The ride was about 35km from the dealer to my place and was uneventful. I certainly can feel the weight and I'll need to buy some mirror extenders, but all in all I'm proud of the Q5 and have much more confident it will be fine for local camping trips.
I'll provide Q and trailer pics along with break controller install when I get a chance.
Thanks all for your advice and feedback...
Ponch
I'll provide Q and trailer pics along with break controller install when I get a chance.
Thanks all for your advice and feedback...
Ponch
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