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That is a nice rack. My local bike shop carries Yakima. My model does not swing open but does tilt back to access the hatch when no bikes are on it. It was new for 2014 and I got it last March. So far, so good.
I also did not want one that swing open. Do not trust that setup.
On a more serious note, I took delivery on my wife's Macan S on the initial release date in May and have been towing my 997 GTS and 991 GT3 with it all summer and I would like to clear up several misconceptions represented in this thread.
I ordered AS specifically for towing, secondarily for performance. The self-leveling is useful. Based on @IvanBurns posts, think I may give the Macan a shot for next year's track season. Going to VIR in November and will use my old but trustworthy GT3 tow vehicle for that.
Thank you so much for providing actual feedback. Very encouraging! Our Macan arrives end of this month and the plan has always been to use it to occasionally tow my GT3 on an open trailer to events.
For further clarification of your direct experience, what type of terrain did you encounter in your trips (flat, hills, steep hills, etc)? Were you always keeping speeds to 55?
Many thanks!
^ +1; Great to hear from an early adapter..
Originally Posted by IvanBurns
I took delivery on my wife's Macan S on the initial release date in May and have been towing my 997 GTS and 991 GT3 with it all summer and I would like to clear up several misconceptions represented in this thread.
First, I have towed either my GTS or my GT3 to 10 events, totaling over 4,500 miles, with the Macan S, using an open Trailex trailer. Total weight of the trailer, GT3, spare tire set, and tools is 4,200 - 4,300 lbs. I would rate the handling and braking characteristics of this rig with the Macan S to be OUTSTANDING. I have never experienced any controllability or stopping issues with the trailer. It feels completely safe. Whoever thinks that the Macan brakes might be the limiting factor doesn't appreciate Porsche brakes. There's nothing wimpy about the Macan brakes. They are over engineered, as are all Porsche brakes. The Master Mechanic at my Porsche dealer thinks that the only possible weak link in the mechanical chain might be the PDK transmission.
I am absolutely convinced that the Macan could safely handle the original rated towing capacity of 5,291 lbs...
That aside, I am completely satisfied with the Macan's ability to handle my 4,300 lb. open rig.
I hope that this provides some useful perspective. Let me know if you have any questions.
Good stuff.
The only quibble is that the rear brakes are clearly Audi calipers and not the standard Porsche Brembo calipers. But that said, you don't seem to have had a problem with wear or fade or like (right?)...
If you don't mind:
Do you have electric or surge brakes on the trailer?
Do you use any type of brake controller (Prodigy, etc) and if so what type?
Did you order AS?
Thank you for posting and TIA for any other info you can share! Best, CJ
Realize your question was not for me, but to tow what we tow, electric brakes and a brake controller are mandatory (have all of that now independent of the Macan). I ordered AS for the self-leveling capability.
My Macan has PASM but not AS. With a tongue weight of 420 lbs., I don't notice any drop at the rear of the Macan.
As Rolltide said, electric brakes and a controller are mandatory. I have a Prodigy controller. I don't know if there are other Prodigy models, but the one that I have is wireless. The trailer dealer that did the installation didn't want to touch any wires on a car that he was not familiar with.
My Macan has PASM but not AS. With a tongue weight of 420 lbs., I don't notice any drop at the rear of the Macan.
As Rolltide said, electric brakes and a controller are mandatory. I have a Prodigy controller. I don't know if there are other Prodigy models, but the one that I have is wireless. The trailer dealer that did the installation didn't want to touch any wires on a car that he was not familiar with.
Not to dispute the ability of a wireless controller but isn't the electric brake controller wiring already installed (stock), wouldn't you just connect the plug under the dash into the controller and this would then provide brake connection via the 7-pin plug (at the trailer connection) already installed?
Isn't this capability already installed with the tow pkg.? This is a real question on my part.
I don't blame a trailer dealer not wanting to touch the wiring on a vehicle he's not familiar with, esp a vehicle like a Porsche.
BTW, Karen, today's avatar...
Last edited by Slow Guy; Oct 13, 2014 at 10:48 AM.
Not to dispute the ability of a wireless controller but isn't the electric brake controller wiring already installed (stock), wouldn't you just connect the plug under the dash into the controller and this would then provide brake connection via the 7-pin plug (at the trailer connection) already installed?
Isn't this capability already installed with the tow pkg.? This is a real question on my part.
I don't blame a trailer dealer not wanting to touch the wiring on a vehicle he's not familiar with, esp a vehicle like a Porsche.
BTW, Karen, today's avatar...
The tow package definitely includes the wiring for the brake and turn signal lights for the trailer. That part seems to be standardized and documented and everyone is comfortable with that. It's just a matter of plugging in a standard plug.
However, the wiring for brake control signals is something that no one seems to know about or agree about the existence thereof. I suspect, though, if I had let the Master Mechanic at my dealer install a brake controller, he would have been able to figure it out.
Just so everyone knows you no longer have to purchase the (Pollak) wiring socket and 7 to 4 flat adapter for your tow pkg. equipped Macan, they now come with the vehicle (I suspect PCNA stepped up to doing this after all the 955 & 957 Cayenne owners bitched about it for so long).
No idea if it works with LED trailer lights (another sore subject) but I suspect they do.
Sorry for reviving this ancient thread, but I think I found some relevant info and this thread has the most information of all the threads on Google..
Originally the Macan had a tow rating of 5291lbs. It was reduced to match the SQ5's 4400lbs, but there's not a lot of information as to why. I decided to look at Audi's UK site to see how they rated the Q5 and its variants.
Jumping to some conclusions here, but that would indicate to me that in the US they just decided to say 4400lbs and be done with it. If you're on less than an 8% grade, you're probably okay pulling 5291lbs.
Sorry for reviving this ancient thread, but I think I found some relevant info and this thread has the most information of all the threads on Google..
Originally the Macan had a tow rating of 5291lbs. It was reduced to match the SQ5's 4400lbs, but there's not a lot of information as to why. I decided to look at Audi's UK site to see how they rated the Q5 and its variants.
Jumping to some conclusions here, but that would indicate to me that in the US they just decided to say 4400lbs and be done with it. If you're on less than an 8% grade, you're probably okay pulling 5291lbs.
Except the Macan tech page says, "An optional Towing Package includes a trailer receiver without tow ball that accommodates a maximum braked trailer weight of 5,219 pounds."
Disclaimer: I am deciding between a Cayman and Macan. I have a tow vehicle already in the form of a Dodge Ram with the diesel engine and the wife has a Cayenne diesel, so if I go with a Macan, it'll never tow anything)
Except the Macan tech page says, "An optional Towing Package includes a trailer receiver without tow ball that accommodates a maximum braked trailer weight of 5,219 pounds."
Disclaimer: I am deciding between a Cayman and Macan. I have a tow vehicle already in the form of a Dodge Ram with the diesel engine and the wife has a Cayenne diesel, so if I go with a Macan, it'll never tow anything)
Go with the Cayman. I have been driving my new 2015 Cayenne with PDCC and PTV awesome. But today it was dry roads (no Snow) so I drove my 997. Oh my I'm never selling it. What fun that no Macan could match, get the Cayman.
I abandoned the idea of towing anything with the Macan. Just got a new (used) tow vehicle with 9,000 lb. capacity, integrated trailer brake controller, trailer sway control, and self-leveling suspension. That should do it.
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