Q3 Trailer Hitch?

99900 Views 132 Replies 33 Participants Last post by jaydee914, Apr 25, 2021

pinballplanet

Discussion Starter · Nov 18, 2014

Hi. I'm looking for a trailer hitch for the rear of my Q3, to tow a small boat trailer. Would rather not have to remove the entire rear bumper cover and bumper assembly. Does anyone know of a bolt on hitch that's made to fit the Q3? I'm not coming up with any useful information in my on-line searches so far. Thanks,
Steve in PA

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KQW_Q3

· #121 · Jul 18, 2018

If anyone's interested to see a factory install I just posted a new thread with pics of my 2017 Q3 (unable to attach a pic or link here apparently b/c I'm a newbie). Posted in Appearance & Body with the title 'Factory Q3 hitch installed - unhappy with appearance'. I guess you can tell by the thread title how I feel about the appearance.

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silence

· #122 · Jun 3, 2019

So one annoying thing that keeps coming up with the Drawtite is that a lot of hitch pins / holes that have come with racks don't fit. The problem is that they can't sit flush against the pin hole because the metal hanger part of the hitch is very close to the hole. Not sure what the specific name is but it's the downward sloping piece with the larger holes where you'd put backup safety chains if you were hauling a trailer https://www.etrailer.com/static/images/pics/7/5/75218_7_500.jpg.

It's been super annoying, but I haven't found a better fitting hitch. I'm wondering if I can cut it off since I don't intend to haul a trailer.

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maxislim

· #123 · Nov 13, 2019

What Trailer Hitch systems have you come across already?

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EricOwen

· #124 · Oct 9, 2020 (Edited)

rnlabas said:
...and so does the USA Accessories guide : http://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/audiusa/Documents/Audi-Q3-accessories-brochure.pdf

Here's the pic (from above) - link insertion works better from PC than iPad -

and another ... from ETKA

I owned a VW Tiguan with that setup. That was while I lived in the Netherlands. It was nice as long as you kept in front of the corrosion. Otherwise it could be difficult to remove.

...will check availabilty in US and pricing shortly ...

I bought a Curt Trailer Hitch p/n 13238 for my 2016 Q3 Prestige (S-line) installed the hitch today. I am looking for a rear tail light schematic. Mechanical part is done and now its just a matter of wiring in the Curt tail light converter/ isolator. I picked up a 4-pin trailer light tester for $4 from Harbor freight so I ca easily verify that it is working as expected.

Does anyone know if the Q5 tail light wiring is identical to the Q3 models?

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EricOwen

· #125 · Oct 13, 2020

content removed by EricOwen

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EricOwen

· #126 · Oct 13, 2020

@Frank Berrios
How did you remove the hatch trim? I have not found any info anywhere on how to do that.Is it like the A3 trim which requires a yank to release the two big metal clips, which hold it in place, that are hidden in that model?

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Frank Berrios

· #127 · Oct 21, 2020

EricOwen said:
@Frank Berrios
How did you remove the hatch trim? I have not found any info anywhere on how to do that.Is it like the A3 trim which requires a yank to release the two big metal clips, which hold it in place, that are hidden in that model?

You don't have to as far as I remember.

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EricOwen

· #128 · Nov 8, 2020

@Frank Berrios
Can you elaborate on that?

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Frank Berrios

· #129 · Nov 8, 2020

EricOwen said:
@Frank Berrios
Can you elaborate on that?

The rear bumper has two pieces and you can separate the lower section by releasing the lock tabs to remove it. It gives you plenty of space to work.

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EricOwen

· #130 · Nov 8, 2020

Frank Berrios said:
The rear bumper has two pieces and you can separate the lower section by releasing the lock tabs to remove it. It gives you plenty of space to work.

Frank, I am not asking about the bumper. Removing the bumper is a bit of a no-brainer for me. I have done that on many VAG vehicles before. The Curt hitch has already been installed on my Q3. What I am trying to do without breaking anything is get to what is behind the trim on the rear hatch. What I need to do to complete the job is the installation of the trailer wiring with its converter for LED lighting and short circuit protection. You were discussing removing with another member in a bit of a vague and indistinct way that it did not seem clear like as helpful as it had the potential to be. The other member seemed quite happy with your response. That is why I asked for a more detailed explanation. I am not inexperienced in working on Audis or VW cars either. I have owned them since the late eighties and with the exception of a 2013 Tiguan that I owned. That SUV was maintained by the dealership we bought it from in the Netherlands. I have always troubleshot and maintained them on my own. I installed an upgraded MMI on my 2000 Audi TT. I own a set of trim tools.

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Frank Berrios

· #131 · Nov 8, 2020

EricOwen said:
Frank, I am not asking about the bumper. Removing the bumper is a bit of a no-brainer for me. I have done that on many VAG vehicles before. The Curt hitch has already been installed on my Q3. What I am trying to do without breaking anything is get to what is behind the trim on the rear hatch. What I need to do to complete the job is the installation of the trailer wiring with its converter for LED lighting and short circuit protection. You were discussing removing with another member in a bit of a vague and indistinct way that it did not seem clear like as helpful as it had the potential to be. The other member seemed quite happy with your response. That is why I asked for a more detailed explanation. I am not inexperienced in working on Audis or VW cars either. I have owned them since the late eighties and with the exception of a 2013 Tiguan that I owned. That SUV was maintained by the dealership we bought it from in the Netherlands. I have always troubleshot and maintained them on my own. I installed an upgraded MMI on my 2000 Audi TT. I own a set of trim tools.

Sorry, I didn't have to remove that part. The wiring for the OEM hitch goes thru a grommet on the side of the trunk well and didn't require any interior disassembly. The best advice I can give is look at the ETKA image for the trunk and should give you get an idea of what is holding it in place. That's how I usually do it.

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EricOwen

· #132 · Nov 8, 2020

OK. That is a helpful answer. It is appreciated. which side of the trunk?

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jaydee914

· #133 · Apr 25, 2021 (Edited)

Does anybody have a part number for the Audi plug-in harness? I’m about to splice into my vehicle’s wiring, but if I can just plug-and-play, I’d prefer that route. Thanks!

Edit: never mind. I installed aftermarket wiring from E-Trailer.

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