WESTFALIA Detachable Tow Bar for Audi A8

General Information and Warnings

This document provides installation and operating instructions for the WESTFALIA detachable tow bar system designed for the Audi A8.

Important Safety and Usage Guidelines:

• National guidelines concerning the approval of auxiliary equipment must be observed.
• Any alteration or modification of the tow bar is prohibited and will void the operating license.
• Remove insulating compound or underbody protection from vehicle contact surfaces before installation.
• The tow bar is intended for towing trailers and carrying loads only. Any other use is prohibited.
• Vehicles equipped with parking assistance systems may experience malfunctions if tow bar components obstruct sensor range. Adjust sensing range or disable the system as needed. Removable or pivoting tow balls should not cause issues when not in use.
• The tow bar is a safety-critical component and must be installed by qualified professionals. Improper assembly can lead to serious accidents. The German text of this manual is binding.

Technical Specifications

• Tow Bar Type: 305 384
• Vehicle: Audi A8 (4H)
• Class and Type: A50-X
• Homologation: e13*55R-01 3393
• D-Value: 12.6 kN
• Max. Vertical Load (S): 100 kg
• Towing Capacity: Refer to vehicle registration document.
• D-Value Definition: D = (T x C) / (T + C) x 0.00981 = ...kN (where T = Gross Vehicle Weight, C = Max Towing Capacity)
• Clearance Requirements: Must comply with ECE-R 55 Appendix 7, figures 25a and 25b.

Parts List

The tow bar kit includes:

• Main tow bar assembly (1)
• Tow ball (2)
• Mounting plates (3)
• Electrical connector housing (4)
• Hardware: 2x M10x75 (10.9), 4x M8x65 (10.9), 2x 10.5x34x4, 4x 8.4x15.2x3
• Accessories: Key, warning sticker, operating manual.
• Associated electrical component part numbers: 921 504 608 001, 900 000 504 778, 921 628 630 121, 907 336 601 001, 905 384 650 001.

Installation Procedure

Follow these steps for installation. Refer to diagrams for visual guidance.

1. Preparation: Open the vehicle trunk. Remove bumper or trim components as shown in diagrams.
2. Drilling: Drill holes in the vehicle chassis as indicated in the diagrams (e.g., Ø 40 mm, with specific measurements like 30 mm).
3. Mounting Plates: Attach the mounting plates (3) to the chassis using the provided bolts (M8x65, 8.4x15.2x3) and nuts ('a'). Ensure proper torque is applied (e.g., M8x65 to 10 Nm, 'a' to 20 Nm).
4. Main Tow Bar Assembly: Mount the main tow bar arm to the chassis using bolts (M10x75, 10.5x34x4). Ensure proper torque is applied (e.g., M10x75 to 10 Nm or 60 Nm as specified in different steps).
5. Receiver Mounting: Secure the tow ball receiver to the chassis, applying specified torque.
6. Electrical Connection: Connect the electrical harness (part number N 909 649.02 shown).
7. Bumper Modification: Cut the bumper to accommodate the tow bar and ball, following specified dimensions (e.g., R25, 130 mm, 90 mm, 190 mm).
8. Reassembly: Reinstall the bumper and trim components.

Note: Specific torque values and bolt types are detailed in the diagrams and multilingual text sections.

Detachable Tow Ball Operation

Before Each Journey: Perform the following checks to ensure the detachable tow ball is correctly locked:

• The green marking on the handwheel aligns with the green area on the tow ball.
• The handwheel rests against the tow ball with no gap.
• The lock is closed, and the key is withdrawn. The handwheel cannot be pulled out.
• The tow ball is fully inserted into the receiver and is tight (check by shaking).

If any check fails, repeat the installation procedure. Do not use the tow bar if any requirement is not met.

Installation of Detachable Ball:

• Remove the plug from the receiver.
• Ensure the ball is in the unlocked state (visible gap, red mark to green mark). If not, pre-tension the locking mechanism.
• Insert the tow ball with the stop pin into the receiver and push upwards. The locking mechanism engages automatically. Keep hands away from the handwheel during this process.
• Close the lock and always remove the key.

Removal of Detachable Ball:

• Remove the lock cover and place it on the key handle. Open the lock with the key.
• Hold the tow ball, pull the handwheel outwards (arrow a), and turn it to the stop (arrow b) to unlock.
• Remove the tow ball from the receiver. The handwheel will then release and automatically engage the unlocked position.
• Store the tow ball safely in the vehicle's trunk, protected from dirt.
• Insert the plug into the receiver.

Maintenance and Care

• Repairs and dismantling of the detachable tow ball should only be carried out by the manufacturer.
• Affix the provided warning label in a visible location on the vehicle, near the receiver or inside the trunk.
• Keep the tow ball and receiver clean for proper operation.
• Regularly service the mechanical parts. Treat the lock only with graphite.
• Lubricate bearing points, sliding surfaces, and balls with resin-free grease or oil. This also provides corrosion protection.
• When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pressure washer, remove the tow ball and insert the plug. Do not subject the tow ball to steam cleaning.

Important: The detachable tow ball comes with 2 keys. Note the key number ???? for future reordering.