need to tie it down - 88 5K TQ

[Keith Lawyer]

Really?  As in the tow hook up front that pulls out?

I wouldn't use that.  When we hauled my Avant we went over the control arms in some fashion - - I don't recall exactly how - - but it worked great, just be careful of the halfshafts.  We mighta also used some of the subframe up front, I just don't remember.  In the rear we somehow went over the CA, then back under at the center, over at the other one and back to the opposite corner of the trailer, such that one chain kinda formed a W thru the Audi.  We were stranded in Fairplay w a blown head gasket freezing our ***s off - ah the memories!!!

If you're in the camp that says you MUST compress the suspension, then use the tow hooks for that but only for that.  IMO either tow hook was not designed to take vertical loads, only straight pulls.  And the front one is nothing more than an eyelet w a nut on the end.

I cut the front tow hooks off two Type 43's (1980 and 1981) to use for "another project" and I'll tell you there's something "off" about that metal.  Frankly, I think it's pot-metal-esque.  It welds weird, ie it melts thru much more quickly than regular mild steel.  I'm guessing it has a high carbon content and is more of a cast iron than mild steel.  I know it seems ridiculous to think Audi would do this.  And a Type 43 is not a Type 44.  So take it FWIW, and I fully realize my statements of "off" and "weird" don't give you much to hang your hat on.  

However too much downward pull on the rear tow hook and I think it'll bend.

Beyond that the tow hooks aren't centered and I'd never tie off a car for 1500 miles on one corner of the vehicle.

Keith L

>>> Kneale Brownson <kneale at coslink.net> 6/29/2005 10:04:55 AM >>>
I'd use the tow hooks, with chains or cables toward all four corners of the
trailer.  I presume you have a rear tow hook.   My '87 5ktq came with a
trailer hitch, so I assume the rear tow hook was cut off like I had to do
when I installed a hitch on my 200q20v.  Before I got the hitch, we hauled
my 200 using the front and rear tow hooks.