Audi A4 petrol estate and single Trailer

[Captain Lad]

Audi A4 - Towing Capacity & Weight Limit Information

Quickly search for the correct model and year to find the braked and unbraked towing capacity for your vehicle.

www.towingcapacity.co.uk

This will allow you to find your specific model. All of the current A4 Avant 2 litre petrol engines seem to be 1700kg maximum towing weight. In theory it should be possible, and the brakes would certainly cope (you should always try to brake very slowly and gently towing a horse trailer anyway). However, petrol engines don't tend to have the low down 'grunt' that diesels have so will need more revving, which is harder with an automatic. Having said that, my auto diesel Audi Avant has the option of manual changes by flicking the changer to the left, so you may have the same option. However, my advice based on towing with big old Volvo petrol cars in the past is don't risk it. The rear suspension is probably not up to the job, especially with that weight moving backwards and forward a little in the trailer, and you would have very little in reserve. I know that people on here argue about the Caravan Club towing recommendations of no more that 85% of the towing vehicles weight, but it is a useful guide. A quick search suggests that the car weighs around 1500 kg. 85% of that is 1275 kg. way below your proposed towing weight. The cost of having a tow bar fitted, with electrics, would pay for several days lorry hire.

Thanks for your response. I am so glad I have asked the question on here and instagram. Audi said my petrol version is as heavy as the diesel version and these details came from the system based on my registration number from their 'Elsa' system linked to the Germany network...so 100% valid info on the vehicle. Safety is paramount and I am going to make a call to Wilcox at Edgemere today to discuss with them the exact make, model and details from Audi and gain their view also. I am completely on the fence but on the side of caution and accept for now I may need to hire boxes until either I have a small lottery win or I can change one of our company vehicles. Thanks you

 

[Captain Lad]

Ahhh the trailer company can't advise as all cars are different and its on me to ensure the manufacture is happy with it...sigh! No sure what to do at all but really appreciate everyone's thoughts and guidance.

 

[Squeak]

If one of the unknowns is weight of the car then you could take it to a local weighbridge and see what it comes out as?

 

[Captain Lad]

If one of the unknowns is weight of the car then you could take it to a local weighbridge and see what it comes out as?

there isnt really any unknowns i wouldnt say apart from exact weight of the horse. Horse has been weight taped at 560k but a heavy cob so i am factoring in 650k, trailer is 760k, car can tow breaked 1700k, car weight is 2115k....technically it can work but lots in the community saying not too with good reasons

 

[phizz4]

2115 kg is the maximum weight of the car, including fuel, driver, passengers, luggage etc. Also known as the gross vehicle weight. It is not the unladen weight of the car.

 

[teapot]

I’d be taking the advice of those who tow regularly, over the data Audi are giving you. I’m sure if you asked a dealership they’d be all ‘of course the car can tow’.

Huge difference between towing your made of wood caravan on holiday (and even so, you see so many people doing it wrong), to towing a horse.

Are you considering it simply because the A4 is the only car you have access to?

 

[Captain Lad]

I’d be taking the advice of those who tow regularly, over the data Audi are giving you. I’m sure if you asked a dealership they’d be all ‘of course the car can tow’.

Huge difference between towing your made of wood caravan on holiday (and even so, you see so many people doing it wrong), to towing a horse.

Are you considering it simply because the A4 is the only car you have access to?

I have two cars and this is the only one that seems up to the job yes. I did state this was to tow a horse not just a flippent ask 'can this car tow' or 'what is the breaked weight' the safety of my horse, myself and other road users is the only reason I am still asking questions.... as yes, the maths and Audi say the car can tow a horse trailer as its heavier than the load its pulling and the breaked weight is 1700k

 

[teapot]

Audi are going to tell you what you want to hear, not the actual reality or practicalities imho.

In the same way VW asked me if I wanted the tow bar fitted to my baby suv as in theory it can tow x amount. I just laughed!

 

[Noble]

I think Audi may be quoting you the gross vehicle weight not the Kerb weight, the Kerb weight which will be nearer 1500Kgs will include the car and all standard equipment and liquids (sometimes a full tank of fuel) the gross vehicle weight is the maximum weight allowed including a full set of passengers, luggage etc. Assuming you wont be taking the whole family and your suitcases you should be working to the kerb weight (ideally 85% for novices to towing).

 

[HopOnTrot]

Also, Jeff at Audi isn’t going to be the one taking your horse down the road on a breezy day, or the one dealing with a snaking trailer.