Did read on here the other day someone asking about this.

I use a TowBar on my cars, so asked the Skoda dealer today about it (it costs extra if opted for).

He, very honestly, said that it was totally worthless - he would spec it if I demanded, but it was totally pointless.

Nice to see an honest dealer and interesting to note that the Tow Bar Prep, his words, is already done!

What on earth is Skoda playing at - if it's done, why charge to have it done?!

Takes me back to when Mazda had an option of Heated Seats, at quite a high price, if only people knew that all that was done was to connect a wire and put 2 pushbutton switches into the dash ( 15 minutes job as all wires were there! The seats has heating elements in anyway! ) the cost was £20 for the 2 switches ...... but the option charge was something like £300!!!

It's a disgrace isn't it? Yet we, the British, take it every time!

Dealer told me the same thing.

I had a Brink bar fitted by a specialist - £280 all in, no problems.

i believe the towbar prep has the wiring loom fitted upto the n/s/r quarter, upon which you attach the rest of the wiring and an ecu.

I mentioned to the Deaker that some wiring was changed, or something like that .... he chuckled and said, quite simply, Sir - they do NOTHING!!

Don't bother with it - spend your money on something worthwhile ... as he offered me MaxiDot (or something) for £102.

Edited 27 February, 201016 yr by MrRee

I mentioned to the Deaker that some wiring was changed, or something like that .... he chuckled and said, quite simply, Sir - they do NOTHING!!

Don't bother with it - spend your money on something worthwhile ... as he offered me MaxiDot (or something) for £102.

mmmm...... my local dealer told me Skoda didn't do OEM lowering springs, even though I had the part number. Dealers don't all seem to know everything about the cars. I would be suprised if 'Nothing' was actually the case. I hope it's not because I've specced it for my vRS.

Sarge

I fear you have wasted your money ..... the Dealer told me that "he shouldn't warn me against it"

But, he said, it was a pointless option as the cars come ready prepared from the Factory - maybe they do something simple at the dealers? Like take a cover off a socket or something?

I thanked himfor his honesty .....

Just fitted a towbar to my factory prepped car. Skoda electrics for towbar prep are a doddle although you feel you've not got a lot for your money; and crucially for me involved no further trim removal i.e. to fusebox at front. (yes - that's the difference with factory towbar prep).

Whether that's worth the £120ish extra (Skoda electrics for prepped cars are less than non-prepped cars) is down to you. Just glad I did it that way.

Just fitted a towbar to my factory prepped car. Skoda electrics for towbar prep are a doddle although you feel you've not got a lot for your money; and crucially for me involved no further trim removal i.e. to fusebox at front. (yes - that's the difference with factory towbar prep).

Whether that's worth the £120ish extra (Skoda electrics for prepped cars are less than non-prepped cars) is down to you. Just glad I did it that way.

Thanks for that Jeeves. Good to know that you do get something for the money, even if the value is questionable.

Sarge.

Deans at Dumfries are currently doing a promotion until the end of July. Octavia Scout bar with single electrics @ £435 and twin @ £490 fitted. When I got my Scout in February they said they weren't really interested in fitting towbars but it now looks like they've had a change of heart. Don't know if these prices are for detachable bars, but they do offer promotional pricing for both types throughout the Skoda range. Just wish they could have offered me this deal at the time, although with the factory prep route I know mine should be completely integrated.

Deans at Dumfries are currently doing a promotion until the end of July. Octavia Scout bar with single electrics @ £435 and twin @ £490 fitted. When I got my Scout in February they said they weren't really interested in fitting towbars but it now looks like they've had a change of heart. Don't know if these prices are for detachable bars, but they do offer promotional pricing for both types throughout the Skoda range. Just wish they could have offered me this deal at the time, although with the factory prep route I know mine should be completely integrated.

Most dealers don't want to fit tow bars because they can be fiddly and they don't have the knowledge. So they contract out get it done at discount and charge you full whack. I needed a tow bar for my 4x4. recently Skoda quoted £600! I got it fitted with tow bar by Witter authorised mobile fitter for £277 with up to date 13 pin electrics, Alko ball and cover and bumper protector. I have had a Skoda towbar fitted previously (£500) -nothing but problems-car electrics kept telling me that caravan tail light was out. Checked -nothing so I opted for a non Skoda bar this time without the complicated electrics.

Edited 6 May, 201016 yr by morganic

Don't know if things have changed but when I fitted a tow bar to my Octy all the wiring was certainly not in place otherwise I wouldn't have spent a whole day running a wire to the fuse box and neither would I have spent over £100 on a tow bar wiring harness.

It would be nice if all the wiring was in place so that when I change my car I can avoid all that hassle.

pmc

Am I right in thinking that towbar prep is not suitable for use with a caravan as feeds cannot be provided for the fridge or battery charging?

My current car, and a few before were all fitted with towbars by a local company (Buchan's in Edinburgh), arranged by the dealer prior to collection.

Looking at ordering a new vRS for September and will go this route again.

Am I right in thinking that towbar prep is not suitable for use with a caravan as feeds cannot be provided for the fridge or battery charging?

My current car, and a few before were all fitted with towbars by a local company (Buchan's in Edinburgh), arranged by the dealer prior to collection.

Looking at ordering a new vRS for September and will go this route again.

My understanding is that the factory tow bar prep is not suitable for fridge and battery charger feed so unless you just going to tow a trailer its not worth it.

Better get it done after delivery and not from Skoda.I was also warned off dedicated kits by my fitter as these can be very costly. My car is fitted with a full logic bypass relay and a 20 amp combination relay and it works a treat. No glitches as on the Skoda fitted tow bar.

Dont know if my dealer is talking rubbish but apparently the towbar prep has added to my Scout as well as the wiring loom.

Mark