Das Ponto

Well not sure how I never joined Audi World all these years, but here I am finally... and well figured it'd be good to share our Q7 and it's journeys.

The wife traded in here 2018 Q5 for a 2022 Q7 as an upgrade to our adventures.

The outgoing Q5
AP4A9599 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

The new Q7. Komfort Trim with Vorsprung Package sporting the newer 3.0L Turbo.
PXL_20220428_002432285 (1) by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

After doing full body xpel, windhsield protection with exoshield it was time to change it up.
So we installed H&R's 1" lift springs, and swapped out the OEM 21's for some Black Rhino 18's paired with BFG KO2's in 265/65r18 (a little more than 1" / 25mm ride height bump) which pushed the entire unit up about 2" / 50mm over stock.

AP4A6752 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr


AP4A7880 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

Main reasoning is taking our basecamp out off grid camping (with our two goldens of course), and running up and down mountain forestry roads for downhill mountain biking in the summers as well.

AP4A8064 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

AP4A9930 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

AP4A9888 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr


And well we started winter camping and back country touring as well... so that meant dedicated winters (yes the KO2's are mud and snow rated, but towing in the winter I'd rather have the confidence of proper winters). We did add on a new Thule Vector Alpine, which funny enough actually improved our economy with the trailer by a a litre or two per 100km.

AP4A4676 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

I'll leave it at that for now. Currently working through the photos of our big spring road trip that I will likely post up. After that we have a new platform rack in the works, and once warranty is up a tune is definitely on the books. Still limited aftermarket support for the 4M's

Cheers!

SimpleQ7

That’s awesome love seeing another Q7 being used as an actual SUV.. great photos and love that it’s an Alberta beast

Das Ponto

Thanks! I still am surprised most days that my wife lets me do what I want with it haha. My daily is a lowered allroad so its nice to have a capable vehicle for adventures!

I'll put together part 1 of the big USA road trip here later today maybe.

PunsGalore

Man, does that look GOOD! Too many of these Q7’s are mall crawlers, not trail crawlers..

Das Ponto

Alright, time for the big road trip! Before we left we fitted the Q7 and Trailer with new Black Rhino Volls and the trailer got some new Falken Wildpeak At4ws while the Q7 retained its current 265/65r18 BFG KO2's. Full service done on the Q7 and wheel bearings all cleaned and greased ahead of the 7,000km/4,500mi route planned ahead.

Part 1
We departed Thursday after work and head south to Salt Lake City... we got stopped short by a complete white out so called it a night and parked it down in Truckers row in Lethbridge before taking off again around 3:30 in the morning. Friday's drive was much better, but still saw some snow and intense fog along the drive.

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/131698311@N05/, on Flickr

AP4A7186 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

AP4A7187 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

And of course the doggos came along for the ride.

AP4A7214 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

AP4A7205 (1) by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

26 Hours and 1,675km/1046mi after departing we arrived in SLC and crashed at an old A3 friends house from the LOL Bump Fourtitude forum days... IYKYK

AP4A7215 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

First leg really was just a boring long haul... stay tuned for Part 2!

Das Ponto

Bah two photos didn't load properly.. and no post edit feature?!

Das Ponto

Part Two!

After a nice pancake breakfast we departed Salt Lake City fairly early in the morning again.
The scenery quickly changed from the City and Mountains to a much different vibe.

AP4A7238 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

Also never seen so many tumbleweeds in my life. Q7 definitely gobbled up a few.

AP4A7242 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

But after a few short hours we found ourselves in Moab! Headed past the town and down the road from Hole in the Rock to our first dispersed site of the trip. Had a good laugh as we turned off the highway to head in... A girl in a ram was driving out and flagged us down

"Ummm you guys sure you wanna go in there? The road is really up and down and not smooth"

Yea we fine... don't you worry, laughed and drove on. Found ourselves a nice little alcove tucked in next to a rock wall, perfect little spot for us with some amazing views!

AP4A7288 (1) by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

AP4A7305 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

And of course doggo content.

AP4A7278 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

AP4A7308 (1) by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

We stayed here for two nights and toured around the area, found some nice doggo friendly hikes and of course headed into Arches National Park as well.

AP4A7402 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

AP4A7625 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

AP4A7510 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

Unfortunately our schedule was pretty jam packed... thanks wifey... so didn't get to do much driving / testing of the Q7 this time. But it did still see some dirt.

AP4A7642 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

But all the driving and hiking definitely wore Finn and Tucker out. Lucky for them we scored some nice doggo camping chairs from Kuma!

AP4A7651 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

AP4A7659 by Ryan Ponto, on Flickr

That about does it for the Moab portion! Up next Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods!