Re: Towing With V8 (was: Boating with an S4)

["Doyt W. Echelberger" <Doyt@nwonline.net>]

Clifford..........I am guessing that the conservative rating is based on
preserving acceptable temperatures for the operation of the automatic
transmission. The automatic tranny is usually the failure point of a towing
system.

You could probably improve its cooling capacity by installing an auxiliary
cooler, and I'd put it in the supply line to the stock cooler, to reduce
the heat load on the radiator.

You could install a temperature gauge in the same line or in the tranny
pan, and watch it closely during critical segments of the towing process,
like on long steep upgrades in hot weather.

And, finally, you could practice frequent tranny fluid changes based on
records you keep of number of minutes operating at elevated temps. First
the fluid breaks down, then the seals and valves and clutches fail.
Replacing damaged fluid helps limit the other damage.

These precautions will take you into the safest zone I know about for
towing with a passenger car.........something I stopped doing about 20
years ago when I ruined several Chryslers towing a travel trailer all over
America and Canada.  I use a 3/4 ton now, with a 454 and HD suspension. And
I watch the temperature gauge very closely on hot days. In fact, I have an
aux tranny cooler ready to go into the 3/4 ton, after some experiences with
heat this summer.

Doyt Echelberger
86 4kq
87 5kcstq


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 11:37 AM 8/17/1999 -0400, you wrote:
>Eyvind Spangen wrote:
>>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.. 
>
>Hi,
>
>According to the owner's manual of my 1990 V8Q, towing capacity is:
>
>Braked trailer	900 kg (2,000 lb.)
>Unbraked trailer	680 kg (1,499 lb.)
>Tongue load		75 kg (165 lb.)
>
>This car is rated at 240hp at 5800 rpm and 245 ft. lbs. torque at 4000 rpm.
>North American iron with this kind of power can tow at least double the
>weight. e.g. the Chevrolet Safari minivan with the 4.3l V6, an engine which
>has less horsepower and torque, can tow something around 5,800 lbs. A 2,000
>lb. towing capacity is barely enough to tow a 21 ft. I/O boat and trailer.
>Is Audi being conservative in its ratings or is there some other reason why
>the V8 is rated so low?
>
>Regards,
>
>Clifford Ilkay
>Dinamis Corporation
>3266 Yonge Street, Suite 1419
>Toronto, Ontario
>Canada M4N 3P6
>
>Voice/Fax: 416-410-3326
>
>mailto:clifford_ilkay@dinamis.com
>