Can I tow with an Audi Q5?

[CheyeEscape]

I am wondering if I can tow any of the available Escape Campers with an Audi Q5? I don’t want a giant vehicle and it looks like the Q5 is the smallest vehicle with a hearty towing capacity.

 

[JeffreyG]

Tow Rating(s):
Sea Level - 4400 lbs
@ 3200 feet elevation - 3960 lbs
@ 6400 feet elevation - 3520 lbs
@ 9600 feet elevation - 3080 lbs

Highest paved roads in the US are about 11,000 feet. Highest paved roads in the eastern US are around 4000 feet.

Based on that alone, the Q5 can tow an Escape 17 in the eastern US. I would not consider it adequate in the western US. I also think it would be marginal for an Escape 19 given how fast they are hedging on the vehicle capabilities with elevation.

Audi expressly forbids use of a WDH, which I personally would consider a no-go condition. I don't want to decide a rig needs a WDH and then not be able to use it.

Max tongue weight is 440 lbs. That should be fine for a 17, probably OK but kind of near the expected amount for a well optioned and loaded 19.

My overall take, it's not going to be a great tow vehicle for any full size RV. It can pull the Escape 17, but not in the Rockies. When you consider how limited Audi is with regards to elevation, it makes me wonder if they would really be comfortable with this vehicle pulling a large cross section trailer even in the east.

 

[CheyeEscape]

Thank you for the intel. Any suggestions on smaller sized vehicles that will have towing versatility?

 

[JeffreyG]

Thank you for the intel. Any suggestions on smaller sized vehicles that will have towing versatility?

Which Escape are you looking to tow? That will be a big factor.

Would a mid-size pickup fit your needs, or do you need an enclosed trunk?

 

[skyfree-ESC]

The SQ5 has a larger tow rating, with the 3.0 V6 engine and 335 hp. I would definitely look at that if I wanted a small Audi SUV that I could tow with.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

imho, good tow vehicles are trucks and truck based SUVs that are primarily RWD with optional 4x4, and a frame to distribute the stress of towing.

SUV candidates include Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, or on the smaller size, Toyota 4Runner, Dodge Dakota. any of these shoukld have the factory tow options which usually includes beefier electrics, and prewiring for 7-blade with user installed brake controller.

old school RWD vans make good tow vehicles too, but they are becoming rarer as the newer vans are more commercial oriented.

 

[Brian B-P]

imho, good tow vehicles are trucks and truck based SUVs that are primarily RWD with optional 4x4, and a frame to distribute the stress of towing.

SUV candidates include Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, or on the smaller size, Toyota 4Runner, Dodge Dakota...

There's no Dodge Dakota any more, and when there was it was a pickup truck, not an SUV. John, did you mean a Dodge Durango? The Durango is a good choice, but doesn't meet your criteria unless you're talking about an old one, since it has been a unibody since the 2011 model year (on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee).

The Tahoe is also available as a Yukon or Escalade.
In the truck-based body-on-frame SUV category, there is also the Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada, or the smaller Lexus GX or Lexus LX.

The Jeep Wrangler and (not yet available) Ford Bronco also meet the design criteria... but I doubt that anyone will suggest them as optimal tow vehicles.


When I hear of a single documented case of damage to a unibody vehicle caused by towing within the vehicle's rated limits using a properly installed hitch, perhaps that will be the start of convincing me that body on frame makes any difference in towing.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

There's no Dodge Dakota any more, and when there was it was a pickup truck, not an SUV. John, did you mean a Dodge Durango? The Durango is a good choice, but doesn't meet your criteria unless you're talking about an old one, since it has been a unibody since the 2011 model year (on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee).

The Tahoe is also available as a Yukon or Escalade.
In the truck-based body-on-frame SUV category, there is also the Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada, or the smaller Lexus GX or Lexus LX.

yeah, I did mean the Durango. and I'm probably thinking of 10 years ago now that you mention it.

...When I hear of a single documented case of damage to a unibody vehicle caused by towing within the vehicle's rated limits using a properly installed hitch, perhaps that will be the start of convincing me that body on frame makes any difference in towing.

vehicles used for heavy duty like towing, the parts wear out faster, bushings and stuff. simpler and stronger the better.

 

[JeffreyG]

vehicles used for heavy duty like towing, the parts wear out faster, bushings and stuff. simpler and stronger the better.

Ladder frames are simpler, but unibodies are a lot stronger. If you look at the eigenfrequencies of unibodies vs. ladder frame vehicles, the unibodies can be several factors stiffer.

 

[Brian B-P]

... vehicles used for heavy duty like towing, the parts wear out faster, bushings and stuff. simpler and stronger the better.

What does that have to do with unibody versus body-on-frame construction? A typical unibody commercial van has the same rear axle and suspension design as a body-on-frame pickup, and could have the same front suspension if desired. The rear suspension of my front wheel drive unibody van is simpler than even a beam axle on leaf springs.

 

[plbert]

Tow Rating(s):
Sea Level - 4400 lbs
@ 3200 feet elevation - 3960 lbs
@ 6400 feet elevation - 3520 lbs
@ 9600 feet elevation - 3080 lbs

Highest paved roads in the US are about 11,000 feet. Highest paved roads in the eastern US are around 4000 feet.

Based on that alone, the Q5 can tow an Escape 17 in the eastern US. I would not consider it adequate in the western US. I also think it would be marginal for an Escape 19 given how fast they are hedging on the vehicle capabilities with elevation.

Audi expressly forbids use of a WDH, which I personally would consider a no-go condition. I don't want to decide a rig needs a WDH and then not be able to use it.

Max tongue weight is 440 lbs. That should be fine for a 17, probably OK but kind of near the expected amount for a well optioned and loaded 19.

My overall take, it's not going to be a great tow vehicle for any full size RV. It can pull the Escape 17, but not in the Rockies. When you consider how limited Audi is with regards to elevation, it makes me wonder if they would really be comfortable with this vehicle pulling a large cross section trailer even in the east.

Where did you get these numbers? I have a 2019 Audi Q5 and according to the manual, 4400 lbs is rated at 3200 ft above sea level, with a 10% reduction for every 3200 additional feet. (Assumes trailer with brakes and up to 12% incline *). So #s according to this would be:
@ 3200 ft: 4400 lbs
@ 6400 ft: 3960 lbs
@ 9600 ft: 3564 lbs
@ 12800 ft, 3207 lbs
Am I missing something?

* In the United States, the maximum grade for federally funded highways is specified in a design table based on terrain and design speeds, with up to 6% generally allowed in mountainous areas and hilly urban areas with exceptions for up to 7% grades on mountainous roads with speed limits below 60 mph. (source: wikipedia).

 

[brroberts]

Most roads stay under 7%, but towing at 14%-17% happens several places even on pavement.

 

[plbert]

Most roads stay under 7%, but towing at 14%-17% happens several places even on pavement.

Yes, there will be higher grades here and there. The statement referring to the maximum grade of U.S. federally funded highways was given for perspective. For some mountain perspective, the maximum grade on Colorado state highways is 9%, Utah is 13%, and non-mountainous states that I spot checked are 6%. I'm sure there's a lot of variance with city and county roads. So the point is, 12% max grade will get people most anywhere they want to go with a Q5, and then you have to be choosy within your destination area and avoid roads with grades higher than 12%.

 

[GinoandLinda]

Don't forget to research the max trailer frontal area for your Q5. There is is a big difference between towing a trailer that weighs 4000lbs and has minimal frontal area compared to a 4000lb trailer that has 50sqft of frontal area. Wind resistance is real drag.

 

[brroberts]

Yes, there will be higher grades here and there. The statement referring to the maximum grade of U.S. federally funded highways was given for perspective. For some mountain perspective, the maximum grade on Colorado state highways is 9%, Utah is 13%, and non-mountainous states that I spot checked are 6%. I'm sure there's a lot of variance with city and county roads. So the point is, 12% max grade will get people most anywhere they want to go with a Q5, and then you have to be choosy within your destination area and avoid roads with grades higher than 12%.

Just wanted to make sure the OP knows they may need to pick their routes because they may not always be able to go the way they want if that is their tow vehicle. There is usually another way to see those areas, but it may take more effort or time.

 

[vermilye]

Most roads stay under 7%, but towing at 14%-17% happens several places even on pavement.

Even in the east. A sign at the top of an 18% grade on a 2 mile section of PA 487 going south out of Ricketts Glen State Park, PA (My favorite state park). You can get to the park from the north to avoid the hill. This is a PA state road, not a park road.

 

[plbert]

Even in the east. A sign at the top of an 18% grade on a 2 mile section of PA 487 going south out of Ricketts Glen State Park, PA (My favorite state park). You can get to the park from the north to avoid the hill. This is a PA state road, not a park road.

My childhood home area in southwest Wisconsin (Driftless Wisconsin) is very hilly. It occurred to me that I can't go there towing with a Q5. The paved county road that went past our house was called "the rollercoaster", with a stretch of several steep hills, and people would drive over the hills fast enough to make your stomach drop. It was really dumb because you never would know if a tractor or a loose cow was on the other side of the hill. Scared me to death when I was riding with older brothers and friends who did this.

 

[dosby]

Ok, here is my story towing 17B with BMW x1 2014 xDrive28i. I think Audi would be very similar.

First, vehicle specs:
4,400 lbs tow rating; payload 900 lb; roof load - 165 lbs
240 hp @ 5,000 rpm. Torque, 260 lb-ft @ 1,250 rpm
22/33 mpg, 16.6 gl tank, Premium gas (92)
It's a turbo engine, so consistent torque and little power loss at high elevations.
2014 model is AWD but has a primary RWD mode

Trailer is 17B, dry weight 2900, loaded ~3300 (empty tanks)

~10 trips a year, ~250 miles each, for 4 years now, total ~10k miles.
Some across the Cascade mountains, some in the flat Western WA parts.
Often riding with a couple sea kayaks on the roof, ~100 lbs total. And 3-4 bicycles in the back of the trailer.
Avg when towing 16mpg, traveling at or 10 above speed limit except steep ascents.
Tried to keep tongue weight ~350-400 lbs
Obviously, we have trailer brake with a controller, and it's Tekonsha P3.

With 2 adults 2 kids (~500 lb), the payload was near or above maximum, especially with the kayaks.

So finally this Spring, at ~90k odo, 2 major issues:
- broken rear coil spring, ~$1k replacement cost
- transfer box noise at steep low speed turns, ~$2.5k replacement with a rebuilt one. New one $7.5k quoted.

I would say, 4 seasons of towing is not bad for a mildly abused 11 y.o German car.
We would keep going like this for maybe another year, and then switch to a larger vehicle, most likely Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max - I liked the specs.

Our limitation is parking, can't have a larger trailer. Larger car would be a trade-off between daily driving convenience and camping trips.

I am also thinking about towing with our Sienna FWD 2015 minivan (270 hp, 1300 lbs payload) , at least for flat terrains. I have a feeling it would do much worse than BMW in the mountains, even with a mild engine RPM abuse.

 

[plbert]

Ok, here is my story towing 17B with BMW x1 2014 xDrive28i. I think Audi would be very similar. ...

Thank you! This is super helpful and very reassuring with empirical information. And yes, your specs match to Audi Q5.

 

[DanandDaphne]

Where did you get these numbers? I have a 2019 Audi Q5 and according to the manual, 4400 lbs is rated at 3200 ft above sea level, with a 10% reduction for every 3200 additional feet. (Assumes trailer with brakes and up to 12% incline *). So #s according to this would be:
@ 3200 ft: 4400 lbs
@ 6400 ft: 3960 lbs
@ 9600 ft: 3564 lbs
@ 12800 ft, 3207 lbs
Am I missing something?

* In the United States, the maximum grade for federally funded highways is specified in a design table based on terrain and design speeds, with up to 6% generally allowed in mountainous areas and hilly urban areas with exceptions for up to 7% grades on mountainous roads with speed limits below 60 mph. (source: wikipedia).

Well you drug up a four year old thread so maybe they are the correct specs for a 2021 Audi Q5? Jeffery G hasn't been around much of late but he works in the automotive industry and isn't know for making things up out of thin air.