Topless towing?

[Gwyn1]

Hi!
We're empty nesters, pondering imminent retirement and a return to caravanning - probably next summer...
In the meantime daydreams consist of drawing up a long shortlist of fixed-bed caravans and possible towcars. Since bidding farewell to our last caravan we've enjoyed open-top motoring and would like to have the best of both worlds - a convertible towcar. I've seen reference to Volvo and BMW on this forum but no mention of what appears - at first glance at least - of potentially ticking all possible boxes! What about an Audi A4 Cabriolet - the 3 litre quattro???

 

[Lutz]

There's nothing wrong, in principle, with towing with a convertible, but one should be aware that the structural stiffness of a convertible is less than a saloon or estate car and, over time, the extra load can lead to premature ageing (doors won't shut properly or the body panel fits may suffer). This may be something worth considering if you plan to do a lot of towing with the same car over several years. Also, and for the same reason, most convertibles have lower maximum permissible towloads than their saloon counterparts.

 

[RogerL]

Creating a convertible from a conventional hatch/saloon usually compromises the structural integity - this is almost always compensated by additional strengthening so there's no issue with a solo convertible - BUT - the additional cross-members, etc often take up space used by the hatch/saloon version's towbar and it's often uneconomic to type-approve a different towbar for the convertible.
So some convertibles won't have a towing limit and can't tow anything - you'll need to check carefully with Audi, Volvo, BMW etc to establish that their convertible can tow - AND - check the VIN plate before you buy, if there's only 3 weights on it (front axle, rear axle, max car weight) or there's 4 weights but the gross towing weight is the same as the car's max weight then it can't tow anything.
Once you're over all that - enjoy!

 

[Gwyn1]

Thanks Lutz and RogerL for your replies!
I must admit I AM a little uneasy about the towing over time as I tend to hang on to a car for 4 to 5 years ...hence the query!
The A4 is homologated for towing and Audi DO manufacture a towbar, and I don't believe there are any handbook warnings for this model. As there's just the two of us, luggage capacity isn't crucial - and van & payload would be kept to about 80%. Towing would be mostly hood-up to help the structure/aerodynamics.
Beware sagging doors then!

 

[Tony_5041742]

As long as the towcar is heavy enough, the manufacturers towing limit is adequate, and a type approved towbar is available I can't see the problem other than the obvious small boot space etc. I seriously considered a Saab convertible as my last company car, and it was ok to tow our 1500 kg van in terms of kerb weight and towing limit and even had a factory tow bar option. We decided against it in the end for other reasons, but I'm pretty sure it would have towed what we wanted.

 

[emmerson]

Gwyn, I once towed with a topless Saab, and found it most uncomfortable because of the buffetting from the wind swirling between the front of the caravan and the car windscreen.

 

[Gwyn1]

Thanks Tony and Emmerson
So ....to sum up.
A4 will tow, but advise hood up to keep your hair on and your doors sag-free!
And posing with the Ray-bans once we're solo and in sunnier-than-Wales climes!

 

[Gwyn1]

Sorry, double-posted. Too impatient!