Re: Boating with an S4

[only5kgt@uswest.net]

Buchholz, Steven wrote:

> > seen this summer hauling these little trailers and Sea-Doo's
> > and you think
> > people would realize if Audi had designed these cars for
> > towing they would
> > also be selling Audi-Brand hitches.
>
> ... Audi does rate at least some of its cars for towing ... check the
> Owner's manual.  They don't recommend using a car for heavy towing, but it
> is listed.  I wouldn't even be surprised to see trailer hitches in the
> accessories catalog.
>
> ... so, does Ford, Chrysler, GM, Toyota, etc. offer hitches for their cars
> under their brand name?  Most hitches I've seen (my dad put on his cars)
> have been aftermarket units.

Very true... I can't see how having a tag like that affixed to an
outside-supplied part makes it any more OEM. This incident under question was
due to bad hitch fitting and sloppy driving, compounded by brilliant execution
of recovery, anyway.

> While it is always possible to purchase a separate vehicle for towing, one
> really must look at the total costs ... insurance, registration, smog
> checks, maintenance, etc ... and the fact that another vehicle will consume
> some amount of space somewhere.

Indeed. Here's a scenario: I have only one parking space at my house. JUST ONE.
Never mind the insurance, licensing, etc., there's no room for a truck I'd own
just for a very infrequent bout with towing. The only things I ever pulled (w/a
BMW Bavaria, btw) were rented jet skis(they come with a trailer) and my other
wheeled obsession, Vespa and Lambretta scooters on a folding trailer. Currently
scootless, but if I have one again (in a few months it looks like) it will be
hauled around behind the Coupe. A Vespa weighs around 200lbs- do we really need
a truck for this? I think not...

> Steve Buchholz
> San Jose, CA (USA)
> ... no trailer hitches yet, but not averse to having one on the Avant ...

Indeed. One of the most stylish tow rigs I ever saw: (a lister,
perchance?)5kctsq Avant pulling a *ferocious* looking '66 drag racing VW
beetle. Both in the same shade of Zermatt silver. Classy...
I seem also to recall a picture I saw in factory literature showing an ur-Q
pulling a very sizable sailboat. Towing with an Audi's no problem, given care
in selection of equipment. Towing stupidly: shame, that *was* a lovely S6...
Regards,
Rob