I've just taken delivery of my Superb TDI with factory fit towbar + factory prep. Having just checked the electrics prior to updating my caravan to a 13-pin plug, I found that there are 3 pins missing, which are for split charging and fridge. I believe that this is a common problem and have contacted Skoda UK - they have told me that the factory is working on a solution to this and that they will get back to me. We shall see.... I wonder if the cars they supply for the TCOTY competition are correctly wired - I think they proobably are, which begs the question as to why they then supply incomplete electrics to the general paying public.

One thing that surprised me even more was their statement that the best way to avoid this problem would have been to have a towbar retrofitted - brilliant!

However, I will see what they come up with and let you know.

Just had a reply from Skoda UK - apparently there is at present no technical solution for this problem, and no timescale for a resolution, which I find incredible. Moral of this story so far: don't bother with the factory fit towbar - find a reputable towbar fitter and have it done by them.

I shall now contact the Caravan Club for their opinion / help.

What a set of dumbos.

rotodiesel.

I've just taken delivery of my Superb TDI with factory fit towbar + factory prep. Having just checked the electrics prior to updating my caravan to a 13-pin plug, I found that there are 3 pins missing, which are for split charging and fridge. I believe that this is a common problem and have contacted Skoda UK - they have told me that the factory is working on a solution to this and that they will get back to me. We shall see.... I wonder if the cars they supply for the TCOTY competition are correctly wired - I think they proobably are, which begs the question as to why they then supply incomplete electrics to the general paying public.

One thing that surprised me even more was their statement that the best way to avoid this problem would have been to have a towbar retrofitted - brilliant!

However, I will see what they come up with and let you know.

I also noticed this issue in the Wiring Diagrams in ElsaWin 3.60. It shows that only pins no. 1-9 and 13 are connected, which means that pins 10-12 are not connected. Pin 12 is spare, so that's not a problem, but pin 10 is a constant power supply which only supplies power when the engine's running, and pin 11 is the earth connection for pin 10. I find it very strange that Skoda does not use those pins...:thumbdwn:

this is a common problem with many european born cars. the standards in europe are different. I have read of audi, VW, volvo owners with the same problems. This is precisely why I didnt bother with teh factory prep wiring and why I wont go near skoda to fit my towbar. My dealer told me that even with the retrofit option there are still issues. they send their cars to the local specialist for additional wires to be put in !!! I did extensive research on thsi subject before ordering my car and decided not to bother with the factory fit options (partly because no one could actually tell me what you get when you order the factory towbar prep).

I collected the towbar from skoda today - just the mechanical bar with no wiring. I will then take it to my local specialist next week for fitting. They have got a vehicle specific wiring kit made by westfalia that has all the UK spec wiring. It will still interface with teh car and disable parking sensors and enable trailer sability control. I will end up with an OEM bar that looks the part but with the correct wiring and a knowledgable fitter. They have full VAG-COM facilities and will code the car correctly.

I went for the skoda bar as it looks nice and the removeable part fits very neatly in the recess in teh spare wheel well that is designed for this bar. the only alternative removeable bar you can get is a Brink one and its a lot more bulky in design and might not fit the storage tray in the car. My specialist says the skoda bar is a good one its just the wiring that is pants !!

I will report back once fitted. Happy to pass on any knowledge i have as i have spent hours on this subject to make sure its all alright for me. The local specialist is excellent and we have exhanged 10s of emails in an attempt to make sure all the detail is correct.