Bill H. Ocala Fl.

What towing equipment is supplied with Cayenne?

When ordered with Option 1D6 “Trailer Hitch without Hitch Ball”, Cayenne is supplied with a hitch receiver. This is the largely hidden assembly that serves as the attachment point for a trailer ball carrier; the most evident part being a square aperture below the rear bumper. Bear in mind that this aperture is covered by a rubber plug when not in use. Additional equipment supplied with 1D6 includes a wiring harness terminating in an industry-standard 7-pin female electrical connector. Neither a hitch ball nor a ball carrier is supplied with 1D6.

For a person interested in towing a trailer, what is needed that is not supplied with the vehicle?

Anyone wishing to tow must have at least the following:

* Trailer with appropriate lighting and braking equipment
* Ball carrier—this is a tempered steel tube or bar inserted into the hitch receiver and generally cross pinned to secure it.
* Hitch Ball of appropriate diameter (this is determined by load, and by the attributes of the trailer being towed)
* Electrical wiring harness adaptor to assure proper connections between the trailer’s wiring harness and that of the tow vehicle.
* Safety chains rated for the gross weight of the trailer and load

Are these items available from Porsche through the parts system?

At present, no. As is common with newly launched vehicles, the availability of all options and accessories is not immediate.

Within 45 to 60 days, a Porsche-certified ball carrier (Part 955 044 000 28) will become available through your Parts Department. Although this ball carrier shares the same 2-inch dimension with other commercially available units, it is the only one which allows the Cayenne to realize its full 7716 pound towing capacity. It of course also the only ball carrier covered by the Porsche warranty.

Why doesn't Porsche supply all of these small parts as standard equipment?

Bear in mind that many of the above components are industry standard items which are commercially available through towing specialist manufacturers such as Draw-Tite, Reese, and Westfalia. Many of these items—such as hitch ***** and safety chains—are in fact rarely if ever supplied by automakers

sasilverbullet

All the things you need will be available at a trailer supply place.

I'm a trailering nut, all the pieces you need are 'one size fits all'.

btw, that 7 prong connector is industry standard also. In there is a "power to the brake system" wire for electric trailer brakes.

Later!
Michael Sorbera
Soon to be Cayenne S driver...

Carrera GT

At 7,700lb capacity, there must be provision for Class IV (or is it Class V) trailers, no?

Anyhoot. I'm just surprised at the cost to add this stuff.

The local dealer said he'll be putting on Porsche hitches. Apparenlty the factory doesn't allow (me) to order the rear swing arm spare wheel carrier with the tow-hitch. He said this is an issue about customers that might damage the car or the swing-arm if a trailer or say a bike carrier interferes with the movement of the rear hatch or swing arm. I think it's something to do with the extra weight of the rear swing-arm that must effect the tongue load the rear suspension can accommodate and it may even be a conflict in rear mount points used by the swing-arm that would otherwise be used by the hitch. Who knows?
Check out the weight-distribution hitches at <a href="http://www.draw-tite.com/" target="_blank">http://www.draw-tite.com/</a> ... we had this on a caravan in Australia in the 70's ... it makes towing much more comfortable and improves control, especially in long-travel suspension vehicles (that really aren't well suiting to towing...)

Cheers,

sasilverbullet

Don't be surprised...the markup on that stuff in incredible...and the pieces-parts are made of very high quality steel. I paid about $850 for the piece that fits into the receiver, the ball, and the weight equalization assembly...

dawktah

Has anybody gotten one of these from their dealer Part 955 044 000 28

AW

Keep in mind you'll have to pick a ball carrier that provides an appopriate height for your trailer. My tow package came with a ball carrier but I don't use it because it is too low.

On another note, you'll also need a break controller if your trailer comes with electric brakes. The plug for this device is right under the dash.

Best way to proceed is to work with a trailer resaler.

AW

dawktah

So far I only will be trailering an open trailer with bicycles in it, don't think this type of trailer has brakes? Will be calling U-Haul today to find out. Future plans will be a Melges 24

You say its too low, Which Cayenne do you have?

dawktah

I found a ball mount on-line 1,000 lbs tongue weight 10,000 towing capacity for $34.95, ball $23.95. What is a weight equalization assembly and why does it cost $750???

sasilverbullet

It's the assembly that's used to distribute heavy tongue weights to the frame of car, not the ball. It consists of two masive bars that you have to "lever action" into place on the front of the trailer.

I had a 8,500 lb trailer with a 1,200 pound tongue weight, but with the equalization unit, I had no "sag" pulling with a half ton ford van.

There are different strengths of equalization units. From about 450lb tongue weight and up, you need to have one.

Torags

Tongue weight capacity of Cayenne (re: brochure) = 660lb.