When I purchased my 2006 Octavia 4x4 estate recently I pleased to see that it came with a detachable towbar.

The only problem is that I don't have the key to release it. I contacted the previous owner and he was unable to fit it.

Is this something that I will be able to get from the dealer or will I need to get a locksmith to disconnect it?

The towbar I believe is a genuine one from Skoda as I have a vehicle data printout and it details the following info:

SerNo No Source Family Description

18 1D2 P AHV Trailer Hitch, removable and lockable

164 PK1 G Trailer Hitch with adapter

Any suggestions??

I have the same towbar on mine and have the instructions if that helps. Regarding keys there should be two small keys somewhere in the foam thing in with the jack in the spare wheel well. If not the lock has a number on it and the dealer should be able to source a new key.

They are a tight fit though and when I wanted to use mine recently I had to try a number of times to get it high enough into the socket to lock in place as the socket had corroded slightly - plenty of grease and brute force succeded in the end.

Basically to fit remove the plastic guard, turn locking handle so that the "flat" is vertical and in line with the part of the towbar that fits the socket - insert into socket, lower locking handle, lock with key. Removal is the reverse.

I have the same towbar on mine and have the instructions if that helps. Regarding keys there should be two small keys somewhere in the foam thing in with the jack in the spare wheel well. If not the lock has a number on it and the dealer should be able to source a new key.

They are a tight fit though and when I wanted to use mine recently I had to try a number of times to get it high enough into the socket to lock in place as the socket had corroded slightly - plenty of grease and brute force succeded in the end.

Basically to fit remove the plastic guard, turn locking handle so that the "flat" is vertical and in line with the part of the towbar that fits the socket - insert into socket, lower locking handle, lock with key. Removal is the reverse.

If you could send me a copy of the instructions that would be great.

I have had a look in the foam thing and cannot find any keys or hidden compartment. I guess next option is to try the dealers!

Thanks for the help and advice.

Did you buy the car from a dealer? If so I'd ask them to provide the key FOC as it should have been included - they can only say no!

Did you buy the car from a dealer? If so I'd ask them to provide the key FOC as it should have been included - they can only say no!

I bought the car from an independant Skoda garage in Kent. I will try, I suppose it can do no harm.

I'll scan a copy of the instructions at lunch...

We have the same type of OE towbar on my wife's Fabia II. It has the same lock. The keys look fairly crude to be honest, so I would think a decent locksmith should be able to unlock it. for you The detachable portion should be availabe seperately as a spare part from a dealer (complete with keys of course!).

The detachable portion should be availabe seperately as a spare part from a dealer (complete with keys of course!).

It is, but at a cost of £130.00

Just a thought - what is the key number on the lock barrel? - maybe someone on here might have the same and be able to get a copy cut?

Milesunder - I've scanned the instructions if you still want them - let me know where you want them sending...

If you can read the number on the lock we could all have a look at ours and see if we had the same lock and have an extra key cut, then it would only cost you the price of a key and postage. cheers - Stuart

If you can read the number on the lock we could all have a look at ours and see if we had the same lock and have an extra key cut, then it would only cost you the price of a key and postage. cheers - Stuart

Same offer if I can help!!

Same offer if I can help!!

Thanks for all the feedback this is an update of where I am with this at the moment.

Phoned my local dealer and asked them if they could either locate the key number for my lock. Their reply was 'No'. I then asked them how much it would be to replace the lock. They quoted three hours to drill put and replace the lock at a total of over £300 + VAT. So I laughed and said that I wouldn't be entertaining that as an option. Instead I bought a replacement lock for £12.

I also contacted Skoda UK, who to be quite frank were not interested and referred me back to my dealer even though I did tell them that I had already spoken to the dealer.

So I am still in a position where I can not remove the tow bar.

Unfortunately there is no number on the barrel although the same lock that I bought has the number X82 9 on the key. And I have tried it in the lock but it doesn't work.

I have spoken to Britannia Tow bars in Bristol and they have said that they would be willing to remove it for me for a lot less than Skoda. That said it is rather frustrating that there isn't a master key that the dealer has access to. When I spoke to Britannia they said that they have a master key to most makes of tow bar, except, however, for Skoda. This is really frustrating!!

In response to the kind offer of spare keys if my replacement is key number 9, there are at least 8 other key codes that it might be.

I think I am going to have to go for the lock drilling option.

Thanks for all the feedback this is an update of where I am with this at the moment.

Phoned my local dealer and asked them if they could either locate the key number for my lock. Their reply was 'No'. I then asked them how much it would be to replace the lock. They quoted three hours to drill put and replace the lock at a total of over £300 + VAT. So I laughed and said that I wouldn't be entertaining that as an option. Instead I bought a replacement lock for £12.

I also contacted Skoda UK, who to be quite frank were not interested and referred me back to my dealer even though I did tell them that I had already spoken to the dealer.

So I am still in a position where I can not remove the tow bar.

Unfortunately there is no number on the barrel although the same lock that I bought has the number X82 9 on the key. And I have tried it in the lock but it doesn't work.

I have spoken to Britannia Tow bars in Bristol and they have said that they would be willing to remove it for me for a lot less than Skoda. That said it is rather frustrating that there isn't a master key that the dealer has access to. When I spoke to Britannia they said that they have a master key to most makes of tow bar, except, however, for Skoda. This is really frustrating!!

In response to the kind offer of spare keys if my replacement is key number 9, there are at least 8 other key codes that it might be.

I think I am going to have to go for the lock drilling option.

As far as I am aware Skoda does not make its own towbars. Your towbar is probably a Witter, Westfalia or Brink - it might be worth contacting these companies to see if they can help. A couple of e mails are probably cheaper than a locksmith. A decent mobile towbar fitter should have a key to fit these makes.

Good luck.

pmc

If its any help I was told by a good reputable towbar fitter and also the local Skoda dealer that Westfalia made the towbars for Skoda. Maybe a westfalia master key would fit?

My Key has X82 6 stamped on it and I live the otherside of Stroud. Im away all of this week but will be working in Chard the week after - we could meet up somewhere close to the M5 if you want to try my key?

Regards

Tom

As far as I am aware Skoda does not make its own towbars. Your towbar is probably a Witter, Westfalia or Brink - it might be worth contacting these companies to see if they can help. A couple of e mails are probably cheaper than a locksmith. A decent mobile towbar fitter should have a key to fit these makes.

Good luck.

pmc

Hi, having had the same problem and tried previous owner, towbar fitters &c without success, I tried Skoda who came up with lock barrel, keys and spindle for £13ish.

No need to drill, which is what they advised. In the lock end of the locking lever is a wire circlip. I removed this with a very small flat screwdriver blade. Tap the other end and the whole assembly slides out. Simply grease the new one, push it into place and replace the circlip.

The lock end of the locking lever has a black rubberised plastic sleeve over it. I cut through this to see how it all assembled and replaced it with self-amalgamating tape, you probably won't need to remove it now you know! Good luck.

Brilliant! I followed your instructions and two minutes later, I had the lock in my hand. I had to cut off the rubber sleeve and then I could push the lock assembly out with a small screwdriver. I can now order a lock kit and hey! presto! I cut the rubber sleeve with a sharp knife so I will be able to superglue it back together. To demonstrate my stupidity, I have owned the car for about a year, and just discovered the towbar was not locked in anyway.I pushed the lock bar down by accident when I started to remove the the lock assembly and it moved to the release position. Oh to be young and have some brains.

Edit. Ordered the new bits from Rainworth Mansfield- £13 inc delivery

Edited 2 February, 201115 yr by stewartbaldwin

Thanks for the info guys but can I suggest that you edit the posts so that the instructions on how to remove the towbar without the key aren't available to the whole world via the internet please - otherwise I'm slightly woried that some low-life will find out and remove my towbar, bike carrier and bikes in one piece or someones towbar and trailor.

Maybe I'm just security concious but I'd rather stuff like this wasn't freely available on the net. :(

Thanks