Re: Boating with an S4

[eyvind.spangen@c2i.net (Eyvind Spangen)]

On Mon, 16 Aug 1999 09:17:57 +0100, you wrote:

>In Germany and Holland at least, VAG markets Westfalia tow hitches as
>'own-brand' units. Judging by the quality of the unit on my car, they're
>worthy of the name (does anyone know whether there's a tie-in of some sorts
>between VAG and Westfalia?).
>However, in the US the design of the tow hitches themselves is very
>different to Euro hitches- we use a round ball-shaped hitch. This might be
>the reason that there's no US 'factory' hitch for Audis.

Westfalia hitches are marketed as VAG hitches here in Norway too, so I
guess they are in whole Europe.. I've got one on my car..

>I've towed all kinds of things with my car BTW, including (for short
>distances) incredibly heavy trailers. Quattro is really great for towing. I
>distinctly recall my previous FWD 80 grappling for traction when towing a
>modest trailer, and feeling pretty unstable when braking.

I've towed 4000 lbs with my car, and it went great - not the fastest
acceleration, but the brakes did a decent job (brakes on trailer too)
and for once-every-5-years towing, it's great. I use the hitch for a
bike rack or smaller trailer at least once a month..

My car is not quattro, so it will lose traction on uphill driving, but
the hitch should not be loaded with more than about 50 kg (110 lbs) to
preserve the best possible road grip both for the car and trailer..
Wish I had quattro, but I'll stick with my 100CC (soon converted to
100CD) for some more years.. 

BTW: Anyone have experience with lowering a 5k series car? I'm talking
about a 1" drop, not any more.. Need to change springs soon, and I
think a slight lowering might look good..

ES