Kitc2246

Leaning toward a Cayenne to tow a Boxster S. How necessary or worth while is the air suspension option with self-leveling. Several 2023s with air suspension nation wide, but most have other options I don't need.

toma nova

Mandatory.

Self-leveling, PASM gives some adjustability. Able to raise or lower for off-road or high speeds. I’ll never have an SUV without air suspension.

I’ve also trailered my Boxster but don’t have a picture of that.





AS on high with 31” tires compared to 30.0” OE

Jas0nn

I've been towing an enclosed with my GTS for six years now. I don't think it would be possible without the air suspension and turbo brakes - and an anti-sway load distribution hitch.

Frank 993 C4S

Air suspension is not mandatory, but definitely makes your life easier as it keeps your vehicle level when towing and you can raise the tow vehicle to reduce your ramp angle, which makes it easier to get your car on/off the trailer.

wake74

I am towing a 20’ enclosed trailer with my old Cayenne diesel on regular steel suspension. Air was pretty rare on the diesels. I could see where it would be handy but I would not define it as required. I do run a Husky WDH to control sway.

fatbillybob

Has anyone towed with both gas and diesel cayenne? Is the diesel better like diesel pickups are better to tow with than diesel gas trucks?

Frank 993 C4S

Hands down, a Diesel is more effortless to tow with. You'll have better towing range but Diesel is sometimes harder to get at gas stations and it's usually more expensive. You'll also need to deal with DEF refills.

hbdunn

Never had a problem in NE finding diesel. I do have around a 400 mile range which is nice. If it was premium gas vs diesel I think I'd still come out ahead on cost fuel per mile. Compared to the gas suv I used to use it is effortless. This is a turbo diesel Touareg pulling an open trailer 4500#.

fatbillybob

Flat towing the racecar really takes off the tongue weight where air suspension is needed and then you don't have 1800lbs of steel open trailer or maybe 1200 lb of aluminum trailer. I don't think having an open trailer is much of an advantage over flat towing and a touring car like a 3 series BMW racecar is big enough inside to put 4 race tires. That would be a pretty minimalist way to go and especially compact for racers who live in congested cites.

Steve Dawson

I towed my 2450# '83 911 on a Trailex 8045 with a 2015 Cayenne diesel a few times before it was unfortunately totaled (rear-ended by distracted driver). Power, braking and stability were very good, even with just the stock steel spring suspension. I replaced it with a 2016 Turbo with air suspension. I have towed with the Turbo numerous times, including longer (5 hour) trips over mostly flat terrain with some hills. Never had an issue with ability to control the load, even when a trailer tire blew out at speed in heavy traffic.

The Turbo, of course, has more power and braking (and larger tires), but in my brief experience the Diesel never came up short. Range for the diesel was a plus, but that was mostly a matter of convenience since I was generally in populous areas where diesel and gasoline were easily available. Both Cayennes were a huge step up from towing with a 2000 4Runner Ltd. 4x4, which could accelerate the trailer (leisurely), stop it (eventually) but was always susceptible to being steered by the trailer. Didn't take much of that to decide to upgrade.

HTH,
Steve

skl

We had a first gen Cayenne S with air suspension and towed an ATC enclosed 22' trailer with a spec Miata inside. Towed great, only issue was we could never find any kind of mirrors that would work. Most of the time we had no idea what was right behind us.
Would never get a Cayenne or Macan without air suspension. Had a Macan GTS as well though we didn't tow with it.

analogmike

I have been towing with my '04 V8 Touareg for almost 20 years and it's great with an open trailer.
It does have the awesome air suspension. Best part of the air suspension is raising the vehicle to get the race car on the
ramps without ripping off my tailpipes (lowers the rear of the trailer/ramps).

I have done two things that make it MUCH better for driving and especially towing.

1) Cayenne/Touareg is not a sports car, it's a truck! Put your 20" bling dubs on your 911 and use 18s on the tow vehicle. You can get them nearly free on FB marketplace (I have 3 sets).
I found Michelin 265/65/18 (taller) Defender LTX M/S tires make the truck drive and look better, and tow much more straight.
They also are fine in the snow, so I don't have to change tires in the winter. They also last FOREVER.
I used to drive in SPORT mode, now I run in AUTO mode when not towing, and the truck feels great, like it was made for these tires.

2) Lower the front an inch. Stock has the nose high (as seen above) which looks stupid and does not handle well.
On the VW you can do it with the VCDS or other software that accesses the settings, on Porsche I think you need little links you add to the height sensors.

Hope that helps!

Mark Dreyer

I towed my Boxster on a really heavy steel trailer with a 2010 Touareg TDI not equipped with air suspension. It was an awesome tow vehicle. Very stable platform.