Audi Q8 Towbars

Audi Q8 Towing Specifics

The Audi Q8 was first introduced in 2018 by the German manufacturer as a luxury crossover SUV, fitted with impressive towing abilities. We will cover the towing specifics of this generation below.

Audi Q8 Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi Q8 2018 onwards model 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 Q8 2018 onwards 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 Q8 year range 2018 onwards 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.

Fitting a Bypass relay is necessary when fitting a universal electrics kit, to make the towbar electrics function without faults appearing on your dashboard, but we do not fit or sell universal electrics for this vehicle.

The connections would need to be made above the roof lining, this can easily lead to damaging of the roof lining.

The Audi Q8 switches the lights from the bumper to the tailgate when the tailgate is opened, if you were to break down whilst towing and opened the tailgate, the hazard lights on the trailer would not operate.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicle's software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi Q8 vehicles made from 2018 onwards will require coding.

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

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, Audi Q8 vehicles will 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 are non-visible bumper cuts for the tow bars offered with the Audi Q8 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 tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points.

For any Audi Q8 vehicle manufactured 2018 onwards, the nose weight is 191kg. 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 Q8 towbar can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For the Audi Q8 2018 onwards model, the towing weight capacity for the tow bars is up to 3500kg depending on which towbar you chose.

You will need to check the towing limit for your Q8 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.