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Topic: Audi A4 towing a Bailey Bologna

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checkley1973

04/10/2015 at 7:52pm
Location: Sheffield
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Yes I have I've decided it's fine when driven with an understanding the car is towing close to its max allowance. We had a practice run earlier today and it didn't toe any differently to our previous single axle.

I personally think with all the improvements to cars and vans you can tow more weight safely than in past years. The car has esp and as the tow bar is oem the esp has been reprogrammed to understand when it's towing. The car runs on 235 wide tyres and the van being a twin is naturally more stable than a single. Then add the atc on the van which would intervene if the worst was to happen. A very different situation to towing an old can with an old car with no abs / esp etc etc.

veema

10/10/2015 at 6:31pm
Location: Blackburn
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We have an audi A4 and there is no way we would tow that weight with it...just wouldn't risk it.

Opensauce

10/10/2015 at 6:41pm
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There is absolutely no difference towing with an older car, the laws of physics have not changed. The best abs has always been the right foot of a good driver. As pointed out, drive it like a good truck driver & you will be ok.

checkley1973

11/10/2015 at 12:40am
Location: Sheffield
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Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 10/10/2015
There is absolutely no difference towing with an older car, the laws of physics have not changed. The best abs has always been the right foot of a good driver. As pointed out, drive it like a good truck driver & you will be ok.

are saying ABS is no better than a right foot?

And a caravan hitch stabiliser and ATC don't make any difference?

I find both hard to comprehend.

We have just returned from a few days away and it towed fine, better than the x5 we used to tow with to be honest. A little more movement when passing lorries on the motorway but less bounce on the rear of the car for some reason.

Opensauce

11/10/2015 at 10:51am
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Yes, anybody who is a good driver can prevent brakes locking, this was always the case, even before abs were invented. A stabiliser & atc may or not save you in an accident situation but the heavier a caravan is the less effective they will be as inertia will eventually overcome everything.

Refer to the earlier posts. Drive it like a truck & you will be ok. Start overtaking trucks & then you are into a different style of driving, your speed will creep up to over 70 & if presented with an accident situation at that speed, probably nothing will save you.

Ray Clayton

11/10/2015 at 7:37pm
Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
Outfit: Disco 4 Unicorn Barcelona 4

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checkley whats wrong with the x5

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Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4

checkley1973

11/10/2015 at 8:37pm
Location: Sheffield
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Quote: Originally posted by Ray Clayton on 11/10/2015
checkley whats wrong with the x5

Hi Ray. The wife got bored and sold it! She's replaced it with a Mini Countryman which definitely isn't up to the job!

The Audi is a company car which is due for change soon as although a 13 plate it's done 90,000 miles now. I always towed our previous Adria well and does the same with the Bologna which is very light for a twin axle ( 1606 MPTLM )

We loved the X5 but the car was huge and the ride very firm as it had the dynamic pack on it with the 20" run flats.

Ray Clayton

11/10/2015 at 9:14pm
Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
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lol she will be able to put the mini inside the van and tow it with the Audi

Load it and take it up the 42 and see how it handles, on a dummy run one sunday mornig, plenty of lorry ruts in near side lane to see how it will perform.

Just take your time, if you think its ok thenfine, if not dont risk it, 85% as you know is a guide line, but you have 5% each side of that, and you can tow 100% legally but not advisable.

Your experianced to know what is right for you and what is not.

Good luck

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Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4

checkley1973

12/10/2015 at 8:43am
Location: Sheffield
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Thanks Ray. We've taken her out now and she towed fine. Like opensauce said we drive steady and we are experienced drivers towing and otherwise.

I've checked the loaded weights at a weighbridge and we are towing at 92%. The car has plenty of power which helps and its auto so can concentrate on traffic and not the gearstick

Ray Clayton

12/10/2015 at 3:58pm
Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
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sound

cant belive she bought a bloody mini lol

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Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4

checkley1973

12/10/2015 at 5:34pm
Location: Sheffield
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Quote: Originally posted by Ray Clayton on 12/10/2015

sound
cant belive she bought a bloody mini lol

She's a lady of extremes but I gave up trying to understand women years ago.

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