I'm looking at buying a new MY08 [no VAT] Octavia estate and asked about towbars. They have found me a brand new one with 'factory fitted' towbar [not dealer fit] for a good price.

Thing is I can't find a 'factory fitted' towbar option in the MY08 brochure. Is there such an option, or should I be 'suspicious'?

Thanks,

MTB

A factory fit option is available. Dealers know the code to apply when making up the order. It usually works out a lot cheaper than dealer fit. You will need extra wiring however if you want twin electrics.

As rkenny says, available if you know about it.

When I ordered my 4x4 last year I asked for the dealer fit. The towbar AFAIR was about £350 and the salesman estimated about4 hours fitting. bear in mind that it involves removing bits of the rear of the car, trim in the NSR wheel arch and the dash!! Estimate was around £600!!

The factory fit was about £250!! It even includes a replacement tool holder in the spare wheel, which also hols the detachable towbar and bits!!

Even taking the price advantage into account there is still the stigma that a retrofit towbar involves your new pride and joy being torn into by mechanics almost immediatly. A few years ago I had an original VW towbar fitted to my Passat by our local award winning VW garage. I had to click some of the bumper trims back into place myself afterwards and they had the brass neck to wire the towbar into the rear lights with scotchblocks!! They also charged me a small fortune.

This is my second Octy with the factory fit towbar and I reckon (if like myself) you only nees a basic hitch and electrics then it is great. Also you have the reassurance that the factory Quality control should hopefully pick up any error with the fitting before it reaches you.

I can understand the retro fit path for more specialised towbars for caravans , electrics etc mind you.

Surely as they fit the standard Euro 13 pin plug, this should work on any caravan fitted with that system, and it should only need a different adapter, to that supplied, to work with the British 7 pin system?

Surely as they fit the standard Euro 13 pin plug, this should work on any caravan fitted with that system, and it should only need a different adapter, to that supplied, to work with the British 7 pin system?

Mine have both come supplied with the adaptor for the British 7 pin system. I know very little about caravanning but they usually need 2 sockets?.

Mine have both come supplied with the adaptor for the British 7 pin system. I know very little about caravanning but they usually need 2 sockets?.

Yes, I have the adapter. I was querying the quote from rkenny, that you would need extra wiring to use the British system. Surely the 13 pin system is standard and I cannot see Skoda wiring a car fro the British market differently form one for, say, Germany?

Here in Germany you will have the choice of either 7 pin or 13 pin.

13 pin is the newer std with a direct 12 volt connection (fridge in a caravan for example), an adapter to 7 pin isnt that expensive.

Our Roomster is fitted with the 13 pin connector and the adapter was only about 10 euros.

AFAIK The factory fit tow bar comes with a 13pin socket, but it isn't fully wired with the additional connections required for a caravan that are found on the 12S (White) socket, only the road lights found in the 12N (Gray) socket.

A 13pin-to-7pin adaptor is all that is required to tow a trailer, for a caravan you need the 13pin-to-2x7pin and the additional wiring.

Your dealer should know all about this and what bits are needed.

For a much neater solution, convert your trailer/lightboard/caravan to use a 13pin plug, You can always use a reverse adaptor to allow towing by the older 7pin standard.

Thanks for all the answers confirming there is a factory fit option.

I didn't know about the different pin options. My main requirement is for a towbar mounted bike rack and the one I have has a 7 pin connector.

I'll asked what the factory fitted connector is, but it sounds like it's not a major issue - I'd just need an adaptor.

Thanks.

Here is a little list, shouldnt be to difficult to get one

13 7 pin adapter, Cars, Parts Vehicles, Sporting Goods items at low prices on eBay.co.uk

The socket fitted is a 13 pin one, which folds up behind the reas valance, byt Skoda supply a 13-7pin adapter.

Called Farmers in Leicester today re fitting a towbar to our 4 month old Octavia est - £670!!!! This is for a swan neck detachable and they need it for over just over a day.

Local 'good' towing place want £327 for a Witter fixed one with electrics to suit parking sensors.

Not sure I'll go for it this year, however, I think it worthwhile going for the dealer one as there will not be any warranty issues.

Ian

£670 sounds a little high £220 for the bar inc VAT plus 4 hours at, say £80 + VAT. However gievn the complexity of the job it sounds the sensible option. I suspect that the local man would use a lot of short cuts to do it at that price!!