I'm thinking of adding an OEM hitch to the SQ5 for a Thule 2-bicycle rack (maybe even the +2 extension = 4 bicycle total) to haul our bikes in addition to kids gear during vacation (already have rooftop box leaving no place for bikes). Read someplace that for this dedicated use you can limit the carve-out of the back under-bumper panel to the size of the hitch itself without extending laterally for the electronics plugin (since the bike rack doesn't need this contrary to a trailer). Anyone have experience with a hitch with or w/o added bike rack on SQ5/Q5?

 

Hi Dex,

Finally got around to trimming out my tow hitch surround - AudiWorld Forums

You will find the info!

 

This Flickr member posted some photos of his recent hitch install.

 

Michel these look great. IMO nicer than the gaping cutouts extending out to the electrical plugin, unless of course you expect to use electrical hookup. Thanks for sharing.

 

You then have the best of both worlds... A clean look for 99% of the time , and you can remove the hitch surround plate the day you need to use the electrical outlet to tow.

 

Thanks. I hate seeing the panels unmounted like that; a bit weary of post-assembly work but its the only way to get a hitch now on the SQ5. A buddy had a parking camera added to his Cayenne by the dealer and has been having radio trouble since. Apparently even when you COULD order the SQ5 with the OEM hitch (very brief period during early preorder) it was not installed on the assembly line but in Halifax after transport to North America. I'll contact the dealer and see how far this should set me back...

 

I'm going with two roof-mounted racks.

 

Yeah I hear you. With the kids, however, heading to the vacation house we need to attach 3-4 bikes + Chariot and gear in rooftop box + luggage in the boot. Its like National Lampoon does an "Audi family vacation". There may be space for 1, maybe 2 bikes next to the Hyper XL rooftop box? But that isn't enough.
The dealer is ready to install the hitch next week but they're looking over Michel's photos to replicate the clean look on the back panel.

 

I have also sent these to my dealer to get them to trim the back panel when my SQ5 arrives at the dealership

 

That makes sense if you need to load 'er up with all your gear. My biking excursions aren't nearly as involved.