Audi A8 Towbars

Audi A8 Towing Specifics

The Audi A8 was first introduced in 1994 by the German manufacturer as a luxury sedan, designed with strong towing abilities. Currently, there are three generations of the Audi A8, 1994-2002, 2002-2010 and 2010 onwards. We will cover the towing specifics of each generation below.

Audi A8 1994-2002 Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi A8 are done so with a dedicated electrics kit, rather than a universal electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit not only ensures all modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors are functional but also helps to keep your vehicle's warranty unaffected.

We offer both universal and dedicated electrics kits for the Audi A8 1994-2002 towbars, but be aware that universal electrics kits can invalidate any manufacturer warranty your vehicle has and may also require a bypass relay.

Check your Audi warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All tow bars for the Audi A8 year range 1994 to 2002 will require a bypass relay if universal electrics are fitted.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

Whereas a dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi A5 vehicles made between 1994 -2002 will require coding.

Coding is used to update your vehicles software in order for it to run coherently with the new towbar through the dedicated electrics.

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, Audi A8 1994-2002 vehicles do not require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

Nose Weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. For any Audi A8 vehicle manufactured between the years 1994 to 2002, the nose weight is 95kg. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that an Audi A8 1994-2002 towbar can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For the Audi A8 towbars, the towing weight capacity is up to 2350kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your A8 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

Audi A8 2002-2010 Towbars

The Audi A8’s second generation was launched into the market in 2002. If you have a 2002-2010 Audi A8 it is important you correctly determine which model you have to ensure you get the correct towbar. You can find this information in your vehicle’s log book.

Audi A8 2002-2010 Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi A8 2002-2010 vehicle are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit helps to guarantee modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors function correctly, while also helping to ensure that any vehicle warranty is not affected.

Although universal electrics kits are available for the Audi A8 2002-2010 towbars, these could invalidate any manufacturer warranty you may have and will also require a bypass relay.

Check your Audi warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All towbars for Audi A8 2002-2010 vehicles that are fitted using a universal electrics kit will require a bypass relay.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

A dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi A8 vehicles manufactured between 2002-2010 will require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, Audi A8 2002-2010 vehicles may require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar. There is a non-visible bumper cut for the tow bars offered with the Audi A8 range.

Nose weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball. It is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the individual tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Any Audi A8 vehicles manufactured between 2002-2010, have a nose weight of 95kg. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the Audi A8 2002-2010 tow bar can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

The towing weight capacity is up to 2430kg for the Audi A8 2002-2010 towbars.

You will need to check the towing limit for your A8 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

Audi A8 2010 Onwards Towbars

The Audi A8’s third generation was released into the market in 2010. If you have a 2010 onwards Audi A8 it is important you correctly determine which model you have to ensure you get the correct towbar. You can find this information in your vehicle’s log book.

Audi A8 2010 Onwards Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi A8 2010 onwards vehicle are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit helps to guarantee modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors function correctly, while also helping to ensure that any vehicle warranty is not affected.

Although universal electrics kits are available for the Audi A8 2010 onwards towbars, these could invalidate any manufacturer warranty you may have and will also require a bypass relay.

Check your Audi warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All towbars for Audi A8 2010 onwards vehicles that are fitted using a universal electrics kit will require a bypass relay.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

A dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi A8 vehicles manufactured from 2010 onwards will require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, Audi A8 2010 onwards vehicles may require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar. There is a non-visible bumper cut for the tow bars offered with the Audi A8 range.

Nose weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball. It is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the individual tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Any Audi A8 vehicles manufactured from 2010 onwards, have a nose weight of 100kg. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the Audi A8 2010 onwards towbars can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

The towing weight is up to 2200kg for the Audi A8 2010 onwards towbars.

You will need to check the towing limit for your A8 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.