2001 Hitch
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21
2001 Hitch
I was wondering if anyone could steer me in the correct direction on something... Ok, here is the situation, I have a 2001 A6 2.8 Quattro which I recently purchased. I also have a 1999 Dodge Ram 4x4 5.9 that I also drive. My lake cabin is approximately 200 miles away, one way. At my cabin I have a 17' SeaRay (pretty light as far as boats go) that I keep out of the water when I am not there, while I'm there I keep it on the lift.
My thought is, since I would much rather drive my Audi than my Dodge on the highway trip there, could I simply put a hitch on my car and use it for the 1.5 mile drive through the 15mph roads from my cabin to launch my boat?
I have previously hauled the boat with a '99 Deville, and I understand that the DeVille is a much larger car, so it will probably stand up to towing better, but as I mentioned the boat is fairly light. Any thoughts? Suggestions? Also, does anyone know of any places to purchase a decent, low profile hitch for this car? Preferably something not too outrageously priced... Thanks in advance!
My thought is, since I would much rather drive my Audi than my Dodge on the highway trip there, could I simply put a hitch on my car and use it for the 1.5 mile drive through the 15mph roads from my cabin to launch my boat?
I have previously hauled the boat with a '99 Deville, and I understand that the DeVille is a much larger car, so it will probably stand up to towing better, but as I mentioned the boat is fairly light. Any thoughts? Suggestions? Also, does anyone know of any places to purchase a decent, low profile hitch for this car? Preferably something not too outrageously priced... Thanks in advance!
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,738
From: Holland MI
Original owner put a towbar on my A6. It's attached by two bolts near the rear of the spare tire well and then with a plate just behind the rear bumber. I cannot see what it attaches to behind the bumber. No tags. It looks light-duty (1.25") and he used to tow a small trailer. So it's possible, but I don't know where he bought the hitch.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 99
From: Airdrie, AB
2001 Hitch
Hi,
Do a quick search, there's a thread not too far down with a lot of info. I just purchased a hitch from U-Haul, it was about $120. Haven't installed it yet. Looks like all that will be sticking below the bumper is the receiver. Maximum towing capacity is 2000 lbs, with 200lb tongue weight IIRC, not that I plan to carry that much myself. If you're boat and trailer exceed those limits, it's a judgement call, since it's a very slow short haul you're talking about.
Do a quick search, there's a thread not too far down with a lot of info. I just purchased a hitch from U-Haul, it was about $120. Haven't installed it yet. Looks like all that will be sticking below the bumper is the receiver. Maximum towing capacity is 2000 lbs, with 200lb tongue weight IIRC, not that I plan to carry that much myself. If you're boat and trailer exceed those limits, it's a judgement call, since it's a very slow short haul you're talking about.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 50
From: North Jersey
Hi,
Do a quick search, there's a thread not too far down with a lot of info. I just purchased a hitch from U-Haul, it was about $120. Haven't installed it yet. Looks like all that will be sticking below the bumper is the receiver. Maximum towing capacity is 2000 lbs, with 200lb tongue weight IIRC, not that I plan to carry that much myself. If you're boat and trailer exceed those limits, it's a judgement call, since it's a very slow short haul you're talking about.
Do a quick search, there's a thread not too far down with a lot of info. I just purchased a hitch from U-Haul, it was about $120. Haven't installed it yet. Looks like all that will be sticking below the bumper is the receiver. Maximum towing capacity is 2000 lbs, with 200lb tongue weight IIRC, not that I plan to carry that much myself. If you're boat and trailer exceed those limits, it's a judgement call, since it's a very slow short haul you're talking about.
Glad I found this thread. I plan to use my A6 to haul my bike to the track.
Last edited by Jerzyboy973; Jun 4, 2009 at 06:21 AM.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21
Yeah, I had actually read your post, which is what prompted my posting. I am slightly concerned, however the boat is light and I'm not talking all to frequent use. Just wondering if anyone else has had any experience with such things. Thanks though!
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
Thats exactly what I'm planing on doing, I'm positive that a small trailer with just a bike on the back, maybe a few tanks of gas wont do any harm whatsoever. My dad has a buick skylark, hes pulled 3 bikes behind it on a much larger trailer than what I'll be hauling.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,371
From: Newfields NH
17 foot SeaRay light?? LOL Ya - when compared to the Queen Mary!
The drive isn't the concern. (I used to tow a Datsun race car from Corning NY to Watkins Glen with a VW bug.) It's the strain when pulling the whole mess out of the water. Some ramps are steep and the water adds more initial drag. Automatic clutches and torque convertors are not happy with that.
Heat is the death of most automatic transmissions when towing so that should not be a problem when driving slow for 1.5 miles.
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