So I decided to add towing. Need some help/advice.
#1
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
So I decided to add towing. Need some help/advice.
Alright fellas.....so I finally decided to add towing since we need to pull at least a small uhaul trailer behind the Pepper on the move cross country. I need your help on a few things.
I decided on the Curt trailer hitch assembly (like the one Michael (mudman2) installed) and found it for $160 shipped. What else would I need to purchase on top of that? I am guessing a lights wiring kit?
Also, the PCNA Teq towing system seems to come with a considerable amount more but not quite sure. Can get it from Sunset for $850 shipped and the TSB install time is 3.2 hours so figure another $400-500 on install. So why in the world would I pay the extra $700 plus 4-500 labor???
Brake Controller? Can't imagine I would need one unless I purchase an enclosed trailer to tow the 996 to the track later this year.
Anything else anybody cares to add feel free to do that. I am going to order SOMETHING on Monday morning and want to have all my "duck in a row" for the order.
TIA
I decided on the Curt trailer hitch assembly (like the one Michael (mudman2) installed) and found it for $160 shipped. What else would I need to purchase on top of that? I am guessing a lights wiring kit?
Also, the PCNA Teq towing system seems to come with a considerable amount more but not quite sure. Can get it from Sunset for $850 shipped and the TSB install time is 3.2 hours so figure another $400-500 on install. So why in the world would I pay the extra $700 plus 4-500 labor???
Brake Controller? Can't imagine I would need one unless I purchase an enclosed trailer to tow the 996 to the track later this year.
Anything else anybody cares to add feel free to do that. I am going to order SOMETHING on Monday morning and want to have all my "duck in a row" for the order.
TIA
#2
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Originally Posted by LVDell
Alright fellas.....so I finally decided to add towing since we need to pull at least a small uhaul trailer behind the Pepper on the move cross country. I need your help on a few things.
Originally Posted by LVDell
I decided on the Curt trailer hitch assembly (like the one Michael (mudman2) installed) and found it for $160 shipped. What else would I need to purchase on top of that? I am guessing a lights wiring kit?
Originally Posted by LVDell
Also, the PCNA Teq towing system seems to come with a considerable amount more but not quite sure. Can get it from Sunset for $850 shipped and the TSB install time is 3.2 hours so figure another $400-500 on install. So why in the world would I pay the extra $700 plus 4-500 labor???.
I am GUESSING that if you simply 'fly wire' a 4 pin or 7 pin trailer interface connector in parallel with your Cayenne's brake/directional lights, you will **** off the Cayenne's integrated onboard vehicle bulb diagnostics.....but what the hell do I know anyways?
Originally Posted by LVDell
Brake Controller? Can't imagine I would need one unless I purchase an enclosed trailer to tow the 996 to the track later this year..
Installing an electric brake controller is very straight forward (the Prodigy requires a minor wiring change over a standard electric brake controller) and has been covered in this forum, photos, parts list, instructions, etc....many times before
(I even offered the 4 pin (VAG) electric brake interface connector for free....no one wanted it....perhaps because it came out of my former Cayenne)
Originally Posted by LVDell
Anything else anybody cares to add feel free to do that. I am going to order SOMETHING on Monday morning and want to have all my "duck in a row" for the order.
TIA
TIA
#3
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Damn Lewis! That was very informative. Much appreciated. So if I went with the Curt setup, what else would I need to buy to do "everything"?
Here's what I see so far (please add to it or correct as needed):
Curt Class III hitch
Ball Mount (what drop? They offer from 2" all the way to 10")
Ball (2"?)
Brake Controller (not sure which one)
Light wiring kit (again, not sure which one)
Anything else???
Also, do I really need to have the dealer "activate" it. Sunset told me that they didn't need to starting in 2005 models.
Anyway, thanks again for the input!
Here's what I see so far (please add to it or correct as needed):
Curt Class III hitch
Ball Mount (what drop? They offer from 2" all the way to 10")
Ball (2"?)
Brake Controller (not sure which one)
Light wiring kit (again, not sure which one)
Anything else???
Also, do I really need to have the dealer "activate" it. Sunset told me that they didn't need to starting in 2005 models.
Anyway, thanks again for the input!
#4
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Originally Posted by LVDell
Damn Lewis! That was very informative. Much appreciated. So if I went with the Curt setup, what else would I need to buy to do "everything"?
Originally Posted by LVDell
Here's what I see so far (please add to it or correct as needed):
Curt Class III hitch
Curt Class III hitch
Originally Posted by LVDell
Ball Mount (what drop? They offer from 2" all the way to 10")
Originally Posted by LVDell
Ball (2"?)
Originally Posted by LVDell
Brake Controller (not sure which one)
Originally Posted by LVDell
Light wiring kit (again, not sure which one)
Originally Posted by LVDell
Anything else???
Originally Posted by LVDell
Also, do I really need to have the dealer "activate" it. Sunset told me that they didn't need to starting in 2005 models.
Originally Posted by LVDell
Anyway, thanks again for the input!
#5
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Ok, then if you say the PCNA Teq option is "plug and play" then I might as well go that route. I think I might even tackle that project.....but then again, I would be more than fine spending a little cash on labor (3.2 hrs according to the TSB) and then have my weekend to myself!
If I go Teq then all I need is the Towing system as well as a brake controller correct? Or does the Teq system come with it?
Thanks again Lewis! I owe you big time
If I go Teq then all I need is the Towing system as well as a brake controller correct? Or does the Teq system come with it?
Thanks again Lewis! I owe you big time
#6
Official Wednesday AM Red Bull F1 test driver
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Yes, Lewis, I'm enjoying this! (BTW Lewis, my kid just finished second in his third Spec Miata SCCA regional race... I've created a monster...now his dad has to keep up tomorrow in the national race... fat chance...)
#7
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Re: the "plug and play" of the system and it's compatibility with my truck.
Ok, so I have been doing ALOT of reading from the archives and i can't figure out for the life of me why I "need" the Teq towing system.
I have read quite a bit that the pricing of the Teq system is helped by the "control unit". Not without PASM on my Cayenne why in the world would I need it? I just can't get over the price difference.
The Curt Hitch is $160 shipped.
Ball Mount and Ball $40
Lights wiring kit $20
Brake Controller $100
A weekend in the garage of my labor $0
Total cost ~$320
Am I missing something here?
OFF TO MAKE A MARTINI...MY HEAD IS HURTING!!!
Ok, so I have been doing ALOT of reading from the archives and i can't figure out for the life of me why I "need" the Teq towing system.
I have read quite a bit that the pricing of the Teq system is helped by the "control unit". Not without PASM on my Cayenne why in the world would I need it? I just can't get over the price difference.
The Curt Hitch is $160 shipped.
Ball Mount and Ball $40
Lights wiring kit $20
Brake Controller $100
A weekend in the garage of my labor $0
Total cost ~$320
Am I missing something here?
OFF TO MAKE A MARTINI...MY HEAD IS HURTING!!!
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#8
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You will be much happier taking the plunge and buying the Porsche Towing option. My guess is that once you attempt to wire in your harness, your Cayenne will become deathly ill with electrical and data gremlins. And when you take it in, your dealer suddenly has the option to say "oops, what's this non-factory approved modification??? Sorry, your $14,000 custom wiring harness that is smoking will be on your nickel, not ours."
FWIW, I would spend the extra dollars (you are getting close on parts alone) and use the factory kit. PITA that it is, you will be much happier.
OBTW, let me know if you need towing mirrors..... I MAY have finally found an answer to towing mirrors for the Cayenne. And no, Lewis, it's NOT the dumb-ard **** extensions. It is a ****-USA product however.
Toby
FWIW, I would spend the extra dollars (you are getting close on parts alone) and use the factory kit. PITA that it is, you will be much happier.
OBTW, let me know if you need towing mirrors..... I MAY have finally found an answer to towing mirrors for the Cayenne. And no, Lewis, it's NOT the dumb-ard **** extensions. It is a ****-USA product however.
Toby
#9
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Originally Posted by LVDell
If I go Teq then all I need is the Towing system as well as a brake controller correct? Or does the Teq system come with it?
Thanks again Lewis! I owe you big time
Thanks again Lewis! I owe you big time
Send up an SOS flare (or perhaps a few "!") if you can't find it.
#10
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Originally Posted by Toby Pennycuff
OBTW, let me know if you need towing mirrors..... I MAY have finally found an answer to towing mirrors for the Cayenne. And no, Lewis, it's NOT the dumb-ard **** extensions. It is a ****-USA product however.
Toby
Toby
#11
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Thanks guys. I am just trying to swallow all the frickin bills that come with a move across country not to mention all the "other fees". Just ranting........
But hey, a Grey Goose Martini cures all
But hey, a Grey Goose Martini cures all
#12
analyst
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My suggestion would be the PAG trailer module. But, if the implementation is to splice onto existing wiring, then please post results.
Isn't the bumper aluminum versus steel, with the factory option?
Isn't the bumper aluminum versus steel, with the factory option?
#13
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I just installed the Curt hitch in a great shop in GA for $400.00!! The dealer here asked for $1,700.00, can you believe it? Brake controller: what is the brand that goes for $100? A friend of mine had it installed by the dealer her in GA two years ago and he paid that amount and now he is pretty disappointed. He is asking me if he has a brake controller, at least: what do you think? (...I'd say no....)....
#14
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
the reason I decided against the Curt setup was what my towing needs are. I went with the Porshe system so I could take advantage of the full 7760 pound towing capacity which the Curt system cannot do. If you do not need the full rating then the Curt is just fine. I paid about $850 for the system and did the full install myself including the included towing module. Just needed to get it programmed at the dealer to USA spec instead of RoW. Search my threads in this forum and you will find plenty of towing related reading.
#15
Toby,
Please post up your potential solution for the side mirrors. I have been scratching my head regarding this issue and I think I am starting to go bald waiting for the answer.
Thanks!
Please post up your potential solution for the side mirrors. I have been scratching my head regarding this issue and I think I am starting to go bald waiting for the answer.
Thanks!