I have a three-year-old Octavia 2.0 tdi estate with a factory-fitted detachable towbar. The towbar has never been used and the circular plate at the top-end of the swan-neck appears to have seized up.

Has anyone got one of these towbars? If so, what does the circular plate at the top of the swan neck do? Is it supposed to spring up? Should the locking lever spring shut when the bar is pushed up the housing? Should there be any play in the lever once it has been locked?

I've taken the car to 4 dealers but none knows how the factory-fitted towbar operates. I've emailed Skoda but all they suggest is contacting a dealer!

Can anyone help, please?

Edited 5 November, 200817 yr by KBAKER

Contact a towbar fitter. The factory fit model is the same as one of the aftermarket units (cant remember which one).

I'll do a full reply in the morning, because I will need to scan the diagrams so that you can follow the instructions.

Contact a towbar fitter. The factory fit model is the same as one of the aftermarket units (cant remember which one).

Thanks for the advice. I took it to a towbar fitter - an independent used by a Skoda main dealer - but he hadn't come across one quite the same.

I'll do a full reply in the morning, because I will need to scan the diagrams so that you can follow the instructions.

Thank you. I appreciate the trouble you're going to.

KBAKER,

I did PM you last night. If you PM me with your snail mail addy I will send you a photocopy of the instructions. It would be much easier for you to understand

could you be a bit more specific, or post some pics? i have a genuine towbar on my octavia which i fitted. the single electric socket is on a bracket which rotates 90 degrees, which dictates weather its in use or not. mine has also partially siezed of which i just wd40 it and greased it untill it worked correctly. hope this is what you meant?

Yeah these need to WD-40'd every now and again to keep them free.