Complete Tow Package. What Hitch, Ball Mount, and Wiring do I Need for My 2019 Audi Q5 Quatro?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hello Michael,

I am curious what you are planning to tow. Is it something with brakes?

Our etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2" # e94CR is going to be a great fit for your 2019 Audi Q5. The hitch will not affect your lighting system. The only thing it can sometimes interfere with is the hands free tailgate. When that happens, you usually just need to move your foot slightly to the right or left to still use that feature. I really like that our hitch comes in a matte black finish, gives it a nice OEM look. If you need a ball mount as well, check out the etrailer Ball Mount w/ Pre-Torqued 2" Ball - 2" Hitch - 2" Drop - 7,500 lbs # e67DR.

As for the wiring, there is not a plug and play option available, but we do have a great solution. You will want to start with the ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector and Installation Kit # 119250KIT. This universal wiring harness is awesome because you do not have to splice into your vehicle wiring. It uses sensor clamps that detect the voltage running through the wires. The hardest part of the install is locating the correct wires, so I recommend using something like the Hook Probe Circuit Tester # PTW2993 to test and confirm you have the right ones before installing the sensors.

The reason I ask if you are towing something with brakes is because you mentioned the # ETBC7. That is the correct kit if you need to add a brake controller. You would still start with the # 119250KIT and then build on it using the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires # ETBC7. The # 119250KIT gets all of your trailer lighting working. The # ETBC7 then adds the brake controller wiring, which requires running a power line from the battery with the included amps, as well as running the brake wire from the front of the vehicle back to the 7 way connector at the rear.

I attached some install videos for you to see what you will be getting yourself into, and I also included our Dealer Locator in case you would rather pay someone to install it for you.

Now for the big question, what do you plan on using the hitch for? Are you towing something with brakes, do you have a brake controller?

expert reply by: Kate F

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etrailer Hitch Installed on Q5
(click to enlarge)

John M.

1/15/2026

The plug and play brake controller kits that E trail has are easy to install, especially if you have a lift or can get the vehicle up off the ground. I installed my etrailer kit on a 2005 E 350 van and it was breeze. Had plenty of room under the van so it took about 1 hour of running and securing wire, installing two extra fuses under the hood, mounting the plug harness, controller and plugging it in. I had lots of room to work. My second one I bought only part of the kit from etrailer as my car, an 2015 Ford Flex did not have a brake system harness so I had to buy a actuator from another source but I got all the other components from etrailer. What a pain this turned out to be. The entire underside of the car is packed tight with wires and tubes and all sorts of stuff so running the wires was a total pain. Then getting it all through the firewall was a real chore. Integrating the universal actuator with the controller and getting all hooked up in the confines of the driver side floorboard area was a real challenge. The actuator mounts to the brake peddle arm and functions on a infrared light system. The controller gets activated when the distance between the sensor and the firewall gets shortened because the brake peddle is depressed. Odd, but it works. It all turned into a two day job but I got it all to work. One year later and the system would not work. After eight hours of trouble shooting talking to techs I found that the problem was simply that my wife had added an extra floor mat which shortened the original distance from sensor to fire wall. Hit the sensor reset button and it all worked again. If you don't have a plug and play type car, seems a ot of them aren't, I suggest you take it to someone that does this for a living.

Kate F.

1/16/2026

@JohnM Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We really appreciate the detailed feedback. It’s great to hear how smoothly the plug and play kit worked on your E-350, and your comparison with the Ford Flex really highlights how much vehicle design can affect an install. You did a great job explaining the challenges of a non plug and play setup, especially working in tight spaces and integrating a universal actuator. The floor mat issue was also a great reminder of how sensitive those systems can be. Thanks again for sharing your insight and advice. Feedback like this is incredibly helpful for other customers deciding whether a DIY install or professional help is the best route.