Towing a Quattro

[Error404]

I've heard from several sources, mostly kindly folks on here, that it is not recommended to tow a Quattro, and if you really have to, not more than 30 miles at 30 mph.

Can anyone explain the reasoning behind this?

is it a heat build-up / lubrication issue in the diffs and gearbox?

to cut a long story short i need to move a 20v CQ about 50 miles - it has no T&T and i have no way of towing a trailer. I was planning to tow it behind my Coupe. I can stop off half way for several hours if that would make a difference in allowing the transmission to cool etc ???

Please

[Ski]

as far as im aware, u can tow a quattro for as long as you like, up hill down hill.

you just cant tow it the way where the front wheels are off the ground. you have to pull it, not just lift the front. i.e. all wheels on the ground.

[Error404]

exactly what i wanted to here

Thanks Ski

[Knight Rider S4]

Very true !!.beware of this at MOT stations when they are testing your brakes on rolling road!!

[S2central.net]

Yeah this is a no-brainer... Tow it as long as you like with all wheels on the ground. Its when towed with one of those stupid things that lifts front or rear wheels that it can go wrong.

Paul

[Flat on my back]

At home with the Bentley.

Limits relate to all wheels on the ground, 50/50 mph/mls for fwd and 30/30 mph/mls for all wd.

Best is with front wheels lifted, q's diff lock off and check transmission has not leaked.

Hope that helps.


Eh, now thats confused me? re the above.

[Ski]

the amount of times ive stopped a mot station from putting front wheels on rollers or AA van trying to tow with front lifted is shocking. even once i say "its a quattro" they ask "is it permanent 4 wheel drive?" where the hell have u been the past 20 years?!

[Error404]

lol - what is this bentley manual you're on about?

[4WheelDrifter]

So you have to raise your front wheels when you free-wheel down a long hill now?

[Error404]

that is my thought process also - how can towing in neutral put extra stress on anything?

[dan_b]

definitely tow it with all 4 wheels on the ground.

[mcandmar]

Just pulled out my Bentley manual and sure enough it says "do not exceed 30mph or tow further then 30 miles"

The two pics show the front and rear axle lifted off the ground on a tow truck so it’s only relevant when a single axle is on the ground.

[S2central.net]

I wouldn't tow mine with front or rear in the air for one meter unless it was an emergency and a towrope was unavailable - get a flatbed / car trailer or a decent A-frame and do it properly.