FredC

I own a Cayenne S and would like to know if it is a suitable tow vehicle. I want to tow a 2,600 pound car, and 500 to 750 pounds of extra stuff (tires, wheels, tools, scooter, etc...). I would really prefer an enclosed trailer, but i do not know if the Cayenne S can manage it. What are some good trailers to consider out there given my needs? Thoughts, comments please.

Thanks

DanR

EDIT: Tow Capacity (Maximum)7716 for 4.8s

Lemming

I've seen quite a few at the track with open trailers.

Bill911

I have Cayenne S and I am towing a 20 foot enclosed Cargo Pro Trailer with car and extra stuff. It is not a problem. I just did a tow from CT to Canada last month. Other than a sluggish on steep hills and decrease gas mileage I am very pleased

FredC

Thanks Bill. Couple of questions:
What is the total weight of the package that you are towing?
Did you add extras to your Cayenne S beyond the Tow package factory option?
Are you seeing any irregular wear on the rear tires?
How light does the front feel when you tow?
Do you use those towing sway bars?

Thanks

analogmike

I have the VW badged Cayenne with an Audi V8 and it tows an open trailer like it's not even there.
Gas mileage sucks, towing or not. Air suspension is nice, when I put the car on the trailer the trailer levels out in a few seconds. F350 type vehicle is certainly better, but no way am I driving a tank like that to work.

smlporsche

It's been over two weeks w/o a towing thread. I knew it couldn't last...

I too have seen Cayenne S's towing cars at the track but I seriously doubt that they are anywhere near optimal. Isn't there any info in the owners manual that defines the towing capacity?? I seem to remember Porsche advertising a Cayenne Turbo towing a Carrera GT in an enclosed (in plexiglass anyway) trailer..

I would reccomend getting a good lightweight aluminum trailer if at all possible...
(from someone who tows weekly..)

Gary R.

Open aluminum trailer no problem, enclosed no way. I tried towing mine with a 2WD 1/2 ton pickup once and between the lack of power, insufficient brakes, and the tail wagging the dog every time a trailer blew by it was a white knuckle ride to the Glen and back.

Sean F

paging ltc

Fred...do a search if you haven't already in the Cayenne forum. There is quite a bit of info from that forum on this topic. Many people here will tell you that wheelbase is what separates a good tow vehicle from a not so good one.

race911

Has anyone reconciled the stated towing capacity (7700ish), with the desire/need to have 10-15% on the tongue, and its weight capacity of somewhere around 600 lbs? That puts your effective towing weight at 6000, preferably less than 5000.

Correct me if I'm wrong..............

renvagn

+1

Take a look at what most people tow with at a race or DE. It's not a small SUV and certainly not with an enclosed trailer.

Your towing capacity is not so much the question as the insufficient wheel base to stabalize the load. When that semi blows by you with an enclosed trailer you get moved around a lot.

I just spoke with a guy whose GT-3 got all banged up in an enclosed trailer when his F-350 van and trailer rolled coming back from WGI and a friend who got swaying into the median barrier when he had to take some evasive action do to a semi not using there mirrors. he was towing with an expedition with load sstabalizing bars. He banged up the left side of the trailer and blew the tires.
If you use a Cayanne and tow with an enclosed trailer you are just waiting for things to go wrong. IMO if you have a bigger (>18')enclosed trailer you should be looking at F250 and bigger as tow vehicle options. Good luck.

ltc

ltc

You're not wrong. The spec changed a couple of times since vehicle introduction

race911

What is it now?

ltc

Abandon all faith ye who enter.
The Cayenne forum is padded for the safety of its inhabitants.

Do not under any circumstances mention LED trailer lights or brake controllers.

FWIW, Rennlist member 'skl' towed a 20' enclosed aluminum trailer with his Cayenne with very few issues. PASM is generally recommended, but not required. IIRC, there was an early bulletin from Porsche stating to not use load level type hitches with PASM vehicles.
6th gear is useless, you end up driving in 'manual' Tiptronic mode. Mileage is 9-10 or so.
Zero rearward visibility unless you clip on some towing mirrors.

Capable, but certainly not my first choice in tow vehicles.