Factory Prep Towbar Electrics

[smf1007]

Next Friday I'll collect my new Superb and on Sat am it's getting a Westfalia detachable swanneck towbar fitted complete with vehicle specific dedicated 13 pin electrics. This is being done by Derby Towbars in Derby and they also have all the kit to do the necessary recoding. I didn't order any factory prep due advice from dealer.

I think "strip out the trim from the back to the front of the car" sounds a bit dramatic. As far as I know they have to fit a new loom front to rear that plugs into the fusebox. This entails lifting the 2 piece plastic interior sill covers down one side and the side boot lining and I think this is the equivalent of the factory towbar preparation. All this is going to cost £450 and I'm fully expecting to have everything functioning as if it were Skoda's own towbar & electrics. I'd previously been quoted £420 for a Witter detachable with universal electrics so I'm happy with the price.

Judging from the electrics fitting instructions all VAG cars seem to be designed the same way and need virtually the same wiring kit. I'll report back in a week or so once it's all fitted and I've had it connected to the caravan.

[unclerichy]

Mine goes in for a Witter detachable with dedicated wiring kit next Friday. The car doesn't have towbar prep.

The fitting company are the ones listed when I go through the witter website but by going to them direct I'm saving 50 quid for just the same kit. 599 including coding to integrate with the reversing sensors, stability control etc.

[emberto1946]

Thanks for the replies. smf1007 - I will await with interest your experiences at Derby. They are not too far for me.

Is it a take it and leave it all day job or call back after two or three hours of letting the good lady loose with the credit card?

Mike

[Back9]

Hello

Take a look at my previous post below...you can see what the witter will look like.

Mine doesn't have dedicated electrics and I don't think they ventured into the car for electrics..other than in the boot are...everything works fine.As far as reversing sensors picking up the caravan..just mute them on the screen.Don't rely on stability control ..I'm not convinced it has it anyway

Good luck

Baz

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/233607-witter-detachable-flange-towbar/

[dfsuperb]

Baz

Im enquiring about the mute button on the screen (is it on the columbus or the Maxidot screen. I dont have that on my screen. Can you upload a photo of it.

What year is your car and what version of software have you on your columbus.

Hello

Take a look at my previous post below...you can see what the witter will look like.

Mine doesn't have dedicated electrics and I don't think they ventured into the car for electrics..other than in the boot are...everything works fine.As far as reversing sensors picking up the caravan..just mute them on the screen.Don't rely on stability control ..I'm not convinced it has it anyway

Good luck

Baz

http://www.briskoda....-flange-towbar/

[unclerichy]

On my Columbus the button is a little speaker symbol in the bottom right of the screen when the parking sensor display is active. It toggles the beeping on and off when I touch it

[Back9]

Mine is an SE..so Bolero stereo rather than the Columbus..but its the same..bottom right corner..a mute button

pic attached ....a bit blurred!

Baz

[dfsuperb]

Thanks for that.

I dont have an Icon like that. That would do me.

Anyone know if this is availble on the columbus or do I need new firmware.

Mine is an SE..so Bolero stereo rather than the Columbus..but its the same..bottom right corner..a mute button

pic attached ....a bit blurred!

Baz

[Back9]

I'd of thought it was standard ...when you go into reverse gear do you get the sensor indications on the screen ?..and when you go back into 1st gear it reverts to the radio

[MrGrumpy]

Fellow Superb 2 owners,

I would be grateful for any information and/or recommendations for suppliers/fitters. I am in the Peak District and have always fitted my own in the past, but there again I have never had a car with rear parking sensors before so want to be a bit careful.

Thanks in anticipation.

Mike

I got mine fitted about 12 months ago by MDS Towbars - they're based in Milnrow, so probably not that far from you. They did a mobile fitting for me on my driveway in Rossendale (about 22 miles from Milnrow) on a Saturday morning.

It was a detachable towbar, with swing-away dedicated 13-pin electrics. Completely invisible when removed/swung away unless you are on your knees looking under the car.

Great service and nice chap - he also reprogrammed the car once fitted (some fitters were unable to do that and were informing you that you'd need a trip to the dealers to get that done). He also had to run a cable from the fuse box just inside the driver's door to the boot as I didn't have the factory-fit towing prep.

The things the dedicated electrics do are

• the reversing sensor shows a trailer
  
• Car fog lights disabled
  
• No annoying beep as the indicators flash (computer shows the fault if the bulb fails)
  
• Activates Trailer ESP on the car (dunno if this is really any good as not had the will to test it :-) )
  

It wasn't the cheapest at £580, but I was happy with the results.

Paul

Edited 22 May, 2012 by MrGrumpy

[dfsuperb]

Baz mine looks more like this except I only have rear sensors and no mute button.

Yours looks like a newer version of software than I have.

Looks a bit more modern..

[lowedb]

Maybe the mute is present only with front and rear. With rear, they are active only when in reverse. With front and rear, once switched on (reverse, or the on off switch) they stay on. Maybe thats why they have a miute for systems with front and rear?

Just a guess.

[Back9]

Forgot to answer you first question..mines an estate SE 140 DSG ..March 2012,,doesn't have front sensors..only get both on the Elegance I think...,,looking at your picture you might have hit something!!

Baz

[dfsuperb]

I only have rear sensors, the photo was an example of the design of my screen rather than exactly like mine.

Maybe the mute was an addition to newer versions of firmware.

Forgot to answer you first question..mines an estate SE 140 DSG ..March 2012,,doesn't have front sensors..only get both on the Elegance I think...,,looking at your picture you might have hit something!!

Baz

[lowedb]

I only have rear sensors, the photo was an example of the design of my screen rather than exactly like mine.

Maybe the mute was an addition to newer versions of firmware.

Thought it looked like a Yeti rather than a Superb!

[smf1007]

Next Friday I'll collect my new Superb and on Sat am it's getting a Westfalia detachable swanneck towbar fitted complete with vehicle specific dedicated 13 pin electrics. This is being done by Derby Towbars in Derby and they also have all the kit to do the necessary recoding. I didn't order any factory prep due advice from dealer.

I think "strip out the trim from the back to the front of the car" sounds a bit dramatic. As far as I know they have to fit a new loom front to rear that plugs into the fusebox. This entails lifting the 2 piece plastic interior sill covers down one side and the side boot lining and I think this is the equivalent of the factory towbar preparation. All this is going to cost £450 and I'm fully expecting to have everything functioning as if it were Skoda's own towbar & electrics. I'd previously been quoted £420 for a Witter detachable with universal electrics so I'm happy with the price.

Judging from the electrics fitting instructions all VAG cars seem to be designed the same way and need virtually the same wiring kit. I'll report back in a week or so once it's all fitted and I've had it connected to the caravan.

Just to report back everything works as it should and as it would with the much more expensive Skoda version. I'm just glad I actually acted on some advice and didn't bother with the towbar prep etc.

[dfsuperb]

Anyone know is it new firmware or what that gets the mute button on the screen.

My Columbus is on Version 2764.

Also I have the detachable towbar with std electrics I think (I have the beeps when I indicate).

The sensors go mad when I connect the trailer.

Can the computer be programmed to turn off sensors when trailer is connected.

Or is this only an option with 100% skoda wiring kit.

If its possible does someone have the instructions and codes what to do as the local garage dont know too much about it.

On my Columbus the button is a little speaker symbol in the bottom right of the screen when the parking sensor display is active. It toggles the beeping on and off when I touch it

[lowedb]

With the type of electrics you have, they can't tell the rest of the car that a trailer is connected. With the skoda electronics, the trailer interface will send information on CAN to the other systems when a trailer is connected. The coding is only to tell the other systems that the trailer module is fitted and they should 'listen' to it. If you did code your car but with the type of towing electrics that don't 'talk' on CAN, then all that would happen is the other systems would complain that the trailer module is 'missing'.

From what I've read here, there are Skoda OEM and some other manufacturers skoda specific modules that do talk on CAN, but the standard ones that beep when you indicate don't do this and I think that's what you have.

[smf1007]

Anyone know is it new firmware or what that gets the mute button on the screen.

My Columbus is on Version 2764.

Also I have the detachable towbar with std electrics I think (I have the beeps when I indicate).

The sensors go mad when I connect the trailer.

Can the computer be programmed to turn off sensors when trailer is connected.

Or is this only an option with 100% skoda wiring kit.

If its possible does someone have the instructions and codes what to do as the local garage dont know too much about it.

I don't think any amount of (re)coding will help unless you have the proper electronics installed.

Don't ask a Skoda dealer to do this as they don't have any expertise with towing electrics...best to go to a specialist towbar installer. They should be able to replace universal electrics with dedicated electrics, if you want all the bells and whistles working, but make sure you find someone who can do the recoding as well or you'll end up paying again for that to be done by a Skoda dealer.

[Claymore]

smf1007 said (in a different thread);

Hi Jim,

All I can do is relate my experience. The Westfalia I had fitted is just the job. The detachable neck goes on and locks very simply and stores in with the spare wheel accessories (if you've ordered a spare). The bumper cut has been done as per the markings on the inside of the bumper and is a very neat job, unlike some others' photos I've seen on here.

I just don't know what you get for £155 if you order the towbar preparation. I spoke to Derby Towbars this afternoon who fitted mine (I wanted to ask him something anyway) and he reckoned the same as me...it may just be the wring loom that sits under the internal plastic sill trims, and connects from the fusebox at the front to where the electronics sit behind the side wall trim in the boot. It's a lot of money for 7ft of cable and if you buy an aftermarket towbar you'll end up paying again for the same amount of wiring in the electronics that come with it, assuming you'll want dedicated electronics.

Farmers Skoda in Nottingham advised me against the factory towbar and preparation. They outsource their towbar installations to a separate local company but they only fit Witter towbars which seem to be quite a lot more expensive with dedicated electrics. As the chap at Derby Towbars pointed out, Westfalia are a German company, and possibly suited to VAG group cars??? I asked him if the TSA was enabled in the recoding. I assume it has been. Everything else works as it should, but the TSA is invisible and you only find out about it when in trouble and you need it. He couldn't answer the question but he will find out and let me know. The kit they use for recoding is fully automatic...they just plug it in and tell the machine the make and model of car and it updates the necessary ECU parameters automatically.

I hope this helps...there must be others who have had dedicated electronics with aftermarket towbars who can share their experience.

Simon

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Simon, sounds like I should cancel the factory prep and go down to Derby Towbars.

Jim

[GaSelle]

I really don´t understand, why any of you are going for the non-OEM towbar soloutions. The original one can be bought wery cheap from Skodateile.cz including the original electronics! It´s relative easy to fit yourself, or you could ask some of your "specialists" do to it for you. I just would´nt put a non-OEM thing on my Superb, when you can get the right and original soloution that cheap.

[smf1007]

I really don´t understand, why any of you are going for the non-OEM towbar soloutions. The original one can be bought wery cheap from Skodateile.cz including the original electronics! It´s relative easy to fit yourself, or you could ask some of your "specialists" do to it for you. I just would´nt put a non-OEM thing on my Superb, when you can get the right and original soloution that cheap.

Cheap!!! You have to be kidding. Not many people have the experience and expertise to tackle this job themselves. Even taking the rear bumper off is not something I'd choose to do myself on a brand new car with the fear of buggering up my new pride and joy.

Cost of the parts listed on the website you mention is very similar to that in the UK. However we have further electrics to install in the UK for a split charging function and to power a caravan fridge etc (assuming you are towing a caravan). The extra electrics from Skoda are £168 on top of the £240 for the basic kit. That's £408 before it's even on the car. Add in fitting and a Skoda dealer would possibly charge over £200 as it'll take them all day 'cos they have no expertise with towbars and then another god-knows-how-much for the recoding work that they'll possibly get wrong and you end up with a huge bill. I've seen some quotes on here of >£650 and it's not hard to see how they're derived.

As for the non-OEM thing it is not a worry at all since the advent of EC type approval for towbars fitted to cars registered after 01 Aug 1998 which means that all towbars have to be manufactured to the same specification as the manufacturers original equipment and be thoroughly tested. Any item approved after passing a 2 million cycle fatigue test as witnessed by the UK Dept. for Transport is ok by me.

At £450 it wasn't cheap but I think I have the value solution!

[Claymore]

OK....so I now have the Superb (brilliant!) with factory fit tow bar prep electrics and the dealer arranged fitting of the detachable towbar and 13 pin Euro connector electrics on the dealer's premises and they say they reprogrammed the CANBUS.

I bought one of these;

http://www.roofbox.c...Rb{~cC4ure5K{WW

I had previously advised my dealer of this

It comes with 13 pin Euro connector and is a fantastic piece of kit for carrying bikes even if the total solution is absrurdly expensive. The bike carrier's Euro connector uses only 9 of the 13 pins and its lights all seem to work in the proper sense.

However, there is a major issue in that none of the above mentioned CANBUS features work;

* The Columbus does not show a trailer is attached.

* The rear parking sensors are not disabled and in fact once activated they will not stop even if a forward gear is selected. The unit has to be disabled then re started.

* If the cables are connected and the car is locked then the bike carriers electrics removed the car's alarm does not sound

* etc, etc.

Reading some of the previous posts am I right now in thinking that all of this will only work if the bike carrier was fitted with some sort of module which would fool the CANBUS into thinking that a caravan or the like was attached?

Or should all of the CANBUS features work anyway?

I've the car booked in for investigation. I told the service people that it was a bike carrier but they didn't flag up that the CANBUS features won't work with that.

However, I don't want to waste either their time, or mine, on a day trip and 50 miles of driving to and fro if I'm actually living in Cloud Cuckoo Land.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jim

Edited 25 July, 2012 by Claymore

[JB.]

I ordered the towbar prep and towbar (detahcable, swivel electrics, Thule towbar) as an option when I ordered my Superb Elegance (delivered Aug 2010). It would have all been fine had the dealer whom I bought the car through (Jewsons in Oxford) not arranged for some 3rd party incompetent to fit the towbar and electrics, and they did not fit the electrics correctly (so the rear parking sensors did not deactivate, and neither did I get the towbar showing on the Columbus screen). I eventually had to take my complaint to Skoda HQ, who were excellent - they arranged for my local Skoda dealer to fully refit the towbar electrics and it now all works fine.

So, it would appear that your towbar electrics have not been coded correctly when fitted.

I would have no qualms in ordering this through the Skoda dealer in future, and it was certainly cheaper for me than having the towbar fitted by an independant.

[countryboy]

Jim, it sounds like they made a mess of coding the car when they installed the electrics. The system won't know the difference between a trailer, caravan or bike rack. IIRC then the car, through the canbus system, sends a small current down the wires to the plug at the back of the car, if it then gets that current coming back to it then it knows that something is attached to the back of the car and changes the settings accordingly.

Ian