I have a Yeti on order and would like to fit a towbar.

Has anyone any experience of getting a third party towbar fitted - Skoda's towbars seem very expensive with some 'prep' at the build stage and then the fitting by the dealer

Its not really the towbar that is the problem - previous quotes show that the Skoda offering is about mid price - it is the electrics and, to a lesser extent, the panel that needs to be cut in the rear bumper bar.

If you just connect the towing electrics to the local wiring (Scotchlock)you confuse the ECU and cause warnings to be fired off about lights etc. (I understand some owners may have overcome this.)

The Skoda electrics harness is wired to the fuse box by the steering wheel and requires a lot of trim to be removed and replaced. The Skoda supplied tow fitting is removable and the cut out has a cover fitted to enclose the socket and the electrics when not in use.

There are at least three threads covering towbars in the Yeti Forum - I suggest you search the titles.

In addition to the electronics, there are structual consideratons. The approved Westfalia towbar replaces a structural Skoda stiffener behind the rear bumper. This has to be designed right, or the structural integrity of the car is compromized.

It used to be simple, screw on a hook of some kind on a suitable structural part and be done. Modern cars both ahve very detailed stuctural designs, whioch need to be considered when adding stresses to the car from towing as well as a proper integration of the vehicle electronics when adding other luights etc. to the "system"

It's the price you pay for a vehicle with very carefully designed systems for maximum structural integrety and low weight, high performance and low fuel consumption as well as minimal environmental impact.

Edited 17 April, 201016 yr by Agerbundsen

Thanks for the help guys. Sounds like getting the local towbar company in is not an option. I only want it for occasional towing of a light trailer anyway. Think I'll pass up on this and keep my Yeti untouched (when it comes!)

In addition to the electronics, there are structual consideratons. The approved Westfalia towbar replaces a structural Skoda stiffener behind the rear bumper. This has to be designed right, or the structural integrity of the car is compromized.

It used to be simple, screw on a hook of some kind on a suitable structural part and be done. Modern cars both ahve very detailed stuctural designs, whioch need to be considered when adding stresses to the car from towing as well as a proper integration of the vehicle electronics when adding other luights etc. to the "system"

It's the price you pay for a vehicle with very carefully designed systems for maximum structural integrety and low weight, high performance and low fuel consumption as well as minimal environmental impact.

Both Westfalia and Witter towbars have purpose made structural frames that accomodate their tow hitches and these fit into the Yeti chassis pre drilled fixing points. This takes about an hour and a bit without comprising the vehicles structural integrity. If you have the towbar prep option I have been advised by Skoda UK that the single electrics, ECU programming and the bumper cut out are provided. But ask the question of Skoda to satisfy yourself.