All, just got a 2013 diesel. Attempted to tow something and ran into the lack of a proper socket for the trailer wiring to plug into. I have that on order and am now reading conflicting things as to whether the dealer needs to activate the trailer wiring harness with whatever their dealer version of durametric is called before it will function. Does anyone know whether this is required on those with a factory installed towing package with wiring or whether it is only required if those things are added after the fact? It seems ludicrous that additional dealer programming would be required to use a feature that the owner has already paid to have installed (and one would assume) activated at the factory.

 

Congrats on our new diesel.

All you need is an electric brake controller and Porsche/VW trailer hitch set up (which provides a computer to ensure everything communicates)and you should be good to go. I have an extra cable if you need that.

If your dealer tells you that the Porsche system has a built in brake controller take your Cayenne elsewhere for install. The EBC is easy to install and the Prodigy wireless is the easiest to install. There are good treads about this on rennlist.com under Cayenne.

 

Thanks for the info and the offer. I live and breathe sports cars but couldn't be more clueless when it comes to towing and whatnot.

If I am only going to pull small trailers/trailers with surge brakes, do I even need anything else or am I good to go once the electrical socket comes in?

 

I am not a trailer expert, even if towing now for two years.

That said, the Prodigy is for electric brakes. If surge, it seems to me, you are good to go with just the cable that plugs into your Cayenne hitch and trailer for the lighting.

Know when I got my CS two years ago, my dealer was not knowledgeable about trailer hookups. Bit odd as they sell many cayennes with the towing package. Think owners just take to local trailer places for connectivity and/or oversell the option for buyers "future" needs.

Not an endorsement, etrailer.com provides good technical info. There are others, too. Good luck.

 

You are the man. This SUV stuff is a different world.

 

you just have to buy a plug at the dealer. I think it was around $15-20, if you can believe that!

 

Dealers in my area don't seem to push it and I've never seen a spec build with the tow package here.

Ordering the package from the factory is actually a good deal if you think you ever might find it useful. Something like 1/2 or 1/3 the price of doing it after the fact (just for the OEM hitch, no installation) if I remember correctly.

I got it because we used the hitch on my Escape for a platform when traveling. We got a roof box for the Cayenne and have been using that instead though. Still glad I ordered it with the tow package as it's always handy to have options (and I believe the U should actually mean something ). Just need to get around to adding the plug and brake controller before I'm in a rush needing it.

 

I ordered the tow package when configuring my CD. Towing receptacles differ worldwide, so the Porsche package doesn't include the actual receptacle. You purchase/install your own post-delivery. It's a simple plug-in process; remove screws from factory cover plate on OE socket, plug aftermarket receptacle into socket, reinstall OE screws, discard cover plate. I installed the round 7-blade receptacle that is pretty standard across America. Onboard towing module was pre-programmed as part of the package, all I had to do was install the brake controller, plug in the trailer, and go. That said, your trailer lighting plug is likely just a 4 wire. You have two choices; get a 7 to 4 adapter, or just install a round 4 wire receptacle in the first place. That said, I'd go with the 7 blade + adapter from the git-go You never know when you might be required to tow some OTHER trailer.

//greg//

 

Thanks for all of the help. Looks like I should be good to go once the proper adapters and whatnot come in. I can't speak for the rest of the country but in Tennessee most of the Cayennes on dealer lots have been specced with the tow package. They know us rednecks like to pull stuff.