No go for Hans-free caravan parking
German high tech reversing technology non-compliant with Aussie rulesThe German Volkswagen Group’s new ‘Trailer Assist’ that allows a car and caravan or camper trailer to be reversed entirely hands-free into a tight spot, is not coming to Australia. At least not yet.
This was made clear at the just completed international press launch of the latest Audi Q7 on which the VW-developed system could have made its local debut, however compatibility issues with the Audi’s European tow hitch and Australian regulations have stymied the idea.
The Trailer Assist technology is a combination of the VW Group’s existing ‘Park Assist’ and new technology that measures the angle of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle when reversing.
It works when the driver selects Reverse and presses the Trailer Assist button on the centre console. The rear view camera then brings up a view of the tow bar and hitch on a display screen on the dash.
There’s also a diagram that allows the driver to dial in the desired angle (left, right or straight back) using the side mirror toggle switches in the door rests.
The system is self-learning, so after two runs it will calculate the rig length and guide you accordingly, even around right angle corners, travelling at a maximum speed of 3km/h.
However the system relies on the interaction between the Q7’s Park Assist function and the Euro-compliant tow hitch fitted to the car. And it can’t (yet) function with the different hitch that Audi either factory or dealer fits to comply with Australian regulations.
It’s possibly just as well, as the Audi’s Euro hitch is designed to carry much lower ball loads than the 250-350kg that is commonplace with the larger Australian off-road caravans, horse floats or boats weighing up to 3500kg that the Q7 is capable of hauling, just like its VW Group VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne siblings that share the same floor pan.
So don’t cancel your marriage guidance counseling or towing school appointment just yet, as for the moment you’ll have to rely on your partner or friendly fellow caravanners to guide you onto your site.
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