[John Clay]

I recently bought a 2019 Audi Q7, and am in the process of buying a camper. I was trying to find something lighter, but the camper I like will be at 4400lbs dry. The Audi does not have the air suspension option.

I've been reading the interwebs recently, especially about the manual saying not to use a weight distributing hitch.

I figure maybe there are some folks here with Audi Q7 towing experience who could offer up some advice?

[arob]

A NASA buddy of mine uses his Q7 to tow his enclosed Trailex. Doesn't use a WD hitch, but does have to use the bluetooth (?) brake controller.

I'm guessing trailer/car is roughly 5k lbs?

[HoodPin]

Hmmm.....from what I'm finding via Google, it appears the Q7 (among others) have hitches that are simply not rated for use with weight distribution hitches. I guess the load transmitted through the WD hardware is more than the frame attaching points can handle.

This is a pretty good reference for how WD hitches work. They attempt to transfer some of the trailer load into the vehicles suspension/chassis. When the tow vehicle is squatting too much in the rear, front steering and braking can become dangerous.

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

[Hunter]

John-

I have a 2012 (older body style) Q7 TDI and I pull circa 4k pounds and don't even know I am pulling it. I have surge brakes and no weight distributing hitch. I believe the vehicle is rated at about 7.5k pounds. No need for WDH.

[BMAN]

Same ^Had a ’12 Q7 TDI pulling Trailex with tire rack and 3100lb car. Stock hitch with electric brakes and aftermarket controller. Pulled with ease.

[vranko]

^ same with diesel Cayenne. Continues to accelerate up the hills to Watkins Glen at over 90mph, so I’ve heard anyways

[tomfree]

Had a Touareg TDI, towed an e36 M3 on a Trailex (about 4K + spares and extra crap), bluetooth brake controller, no WDH. Rock solid, easy tow. Q7 should be even better because of the extra wheelbase.

You don't use a WDH on the Cayenne/Touareg/Q7 because where hitch mounts to the unibody is not designed to handle the extra load from the WDH. Most all variants of the Cayenne/Touareg/Q7 platform are rated to tow 7700#.

[DaveInMD]

Originally Posted by vranko

^ same with diesel Cayenne. Continues to accelerate up the hills to Watkins Glen at over 90mph, so I’ve heard anyways

Vranko, I've heard the same thing about those Cayenne diesels when towing a Cayman on an open Featherlite. Also, there's rumors about long haul capabilities headed south into the Smokies as well.

[Dandelion]

If you want to go downmarket with us hillbillies, the Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel pulls a steel trailer well (~5k lbs) and can take a weight distributing hitch, although I am not using one at present.

Have to look on the used market though.

EDIT: you can buy a new one with a gas engine which should tow fine but eat gas.

ed

[TurboPooch]

Not a Q7 but we have been hauling The Boy's racecar around for two years with the SQ5 using a self installed factory 2" trailer hitch receptacle and WD hitch with no issues. We don't put a lot of tension on the chains, just enough to pull up a little. It's weird that the hitch kit comes with a trailer "controller" but does not support electric brakes. The controller senses that a trailer is plugged in and controls the lights and an extra icon appears on the dash when using the turn signals. I bought the Tekonsha 90250 wireless brake controller and this little gadget works really slick with the electric brakes on the trailer. Highly recommend for ease of use and installation.