The problem here is volt-drop - not the current carrying capacity.

7m length, 40A load, 10mm CSA cable - Volt drop is 0.5V - NO PROBLEM.

IIRC, most electrical things in a caravan run down to 10.5V (or lower) so there is plenty of reserve with 10mm CSA cable.

If you want to draw 200A over 7m then things would be different. 35 or 50mm CSA cable would not be too large. One of the reasons that winches are usually on the front of SUVs, etc, is to keep the cable length short so smaller cable sizes can be used.

Mine's going in on 2nd September to have the proper electrics fitted by Skoda under warranty - apparently, they need the car for 10 hours.....

So, I should have fully functional genuine Skoda towing electrics. I'll let you know how it all goes.

By the way, Skoda UK have been tracking this issue for me all the way through.

At least it means you can't block the road with your caravan

Agreed! :rofl:

You'd have though James of Allams would be in this thread at least trying to deffend themselves, but there seems to be a distinct absence

Mine's going in on 2nd September to have the proper electrics fitted by Skoda under warranty - apparently, they need the car for 10 hours.....

So, I should have fully functional genuine Skoda towing electrics. I'll let you know how it all goes.

By the way, Skoda UK have been tracking this issue for me all the way through.

Don't count your chickens yet. Mine went back for two days on 6th August to resolve the tow bar electric issues, incorporating a major change to the wiring loom. Most things are now working well, including split charging and fridge electric supply and software settings. However they have introduced three new problems - two being electrical, so the car will have to go in for another two days! I won't bore you explaining the new problems but the Euro socket is still wired incorrectly and I wonder how longer it will be before my March 09 delivered car is going to be perfect.

Mine's all been done now and everything seems to work. The modification involves an additional fused feed from the main fuse box next to the battery - a bit like the way I wired my Alhambra a while back! I guess there is also a relay somewhere in the circuit, but I haven't really looked for it yet, but it all seems to work so I'm happy with it.

At last my March 09 CR170 Elegance's tow bar electrics and other issues have been fixed - it now does everything it should do, and certainly can be classed as a super tow car. It hauls my big twin axle very well indeed and now powers the van fridge and battery while on the move. All the little niceties when the van is connected such as not switching on the cars high visibility lights but illuminating those on the van; switching off the rear parking sensors etc all work as they should. Incidentally the DSG auto box is perfect for relaxed towing and solo as well. It's a pity its been such a hassle over 6 months to get the car sorted - the dealer Allams and Skoda UK have all contributed to the shambles and if they learn one lesson it must be to improve their knowledge and communications with the customer. I have to say however it is worth it in the end - a Superb car.

Brian

Good to hear you got it sorted and are happy with the car at last

I have a factory fitted towbar ( £350 ) on my FL Scout and the electrics are NOT wired for charging the batt or powering the fridge as the pins are not in the 13 pin socket :mad:the pins are crimped on so I had to buy another 13 pin socket ( screw connections ! ) and connect up the remaining 3 pins to the fusebox/earth etc. :(

I'm waiting for my 4x4 170 Superb estate to come into the country - hopefully with the pararomic roof does'nt look likely though

. I was originally was going to go through the options route then changed my mind . I've been told by various people that original equipment for the VAG group is Westfalia ,which most towbar places can get complete with wiring , so that trailer control and park assist will still work . Best done by the experts

Prices were as per the accessory catalog for factory fitted tow bar prep (�113); and dealer fitted tow bar electrics �127, actual removable tow bar (�200) and dealer fitting (�280). Yes, loads of money, but in my view the best engineered (except for the wiring!) and neatest on the market. Rapidly plugs and locks into a socket under the car, no bodywork mods, hinge down sprung Euro socket, and nothing shows at all when tow bar is removed. Even has its own designed storage space in spare wheel carrier. Have pics to show if you PM me.

Seems like a bargain to me, as my dealer charged £800 to ftt this unit !!!

I read it thanks but its bad advice for anyone thinking of fitting a towbar and will confuse some people into thinking that is what is required.

50mm is far to big and not required as (if you read my post properly) much smaller cable can draw more than a normal car battery can physically supply

I think he is trying to minimise voltage drop over the length of cable; 50mm is OTT, but why worry about it??

Personally, if I were going to that amount of trouble I would get some heavy duty power inverters and run a smaller cable at 240v between them, but HEY!! That's just me!!!