More about Audi Q8 Towbars
What’s my Towing Capacity?
The Audi Q8 is a compact and stylish SUV that ticks all the boxes of a great towing vehicle. The towing capacity on the Audi Q8 does vary depending on the style you choose. There are a few variants; Q8, Q8 TFSI e, Sq8 and RS Q8. The Standard Q8 has a towing capacity of up to 3500kg and a vertical load of 140kg. These amounts are as a guide as you will need to read your VIN plate for the exact towing capacity for your individual vehicle. To work out how much you can tow, look at our VIN Plate advice here.
Which Towbar is best for my vehicle?
There are two towbars available for your vehicle: a fixed flange and a detachable swan neck. Some Audi Q8 models are supplied from the factory with a clip-out panel in the rear bumper; this isn’t always obvious until you look for it. If your car has this panel, it is designed specifically to hide a detachable towbar when the neck is removed. This makes the Towbar completely invisible once the detachable towbar neck is released, which is an ideal solution for this type of car.
Will it need a bumper cut?
There will be a bumper cut if you don’t have the towing panel from Audi; however, this is a non-visible cut. Our engineers may have to remove the bumper and then cut it to the measurements on the fitting instructions. A better option is to purchase the towing panel from Audi first, and then the engineer will be able to fit the towing panel in the same appointment as the Towbar fitment.
Which electric wiring for my Audi Q8?
There are 3 electric socket options used in the. UK; Single 7 Pin electrics (12N), Twin 7 Pin electrics (12N & 12S), and 13 Pin electrics.
The 7 Pin option provides power from the Towbar to the lights on a trailer or caravan. If you're only going to be towing a trailer, this is all you need. You can tow a caravan using only single electrics, but the interior functions of the caravan, such as the fridge, wouldn't have power to them. You will need an adaptor if your caravan has 13 pin electrics.
13 Pin Electrics have been standard in most other European countries for some time. This is replacing the two separate sockets (Twin) currently used in the UK. The 13-pin socket is essentially the two 7 pin sockets merged in to one. All caravans manufactured in the UK from 2008 are fitted with an ISO 13 pin connector as standard. This system uses one socket with 13 pins inside instead of the traditional two separate 7 pin sockets.
Universal or Dedicated Electrics
The Audi Q8 has a complex electrical wiring system so we would only ever fit Vehicle Specific Wiring, sometimes known as 'dedicated wiring looms' or 'plug in kits'. To put it simply this is the way the job should be done.
Each kit is designed specifically for the vehicle that it is fitted to, and rather than soldering or using 'Scotch Locks' to connect the towbar wiring, which is the case with universal aftermarket wiring, these kits interface with the vehicle systems in the same way as the vehicle manufacturer intended. Towing functions will be activated when you have the dedicated electrics fitted. This means you can tow safely and with confidence.
