I've decided to get the towbar fitted in the end (at the dealer) even though I don't have the factory pre-prep since it seems this is not an issue and might even be an advantage as viewed by some. Now I will get a 13 pin for sure as the 13 to 7 pin converter is cheap and then the whole thing is future proof. Since I don't own a caravan or trailer (I'm getting this to possibly get a Lady P towbar bike rack or be able to rent trailers and for future resale value) I don't know what the difference is between single and split electrics. Which should I get?

I've decided to get the towbar fitted in the end (at the dealer) even though I don't have the factory pre-prep since it seems this is not an issue and might even be an advantage as viewed by some. Now I will get a 13 pin for sure as the 13 to 7 pin converter is cheap and then the whole thing is future proof. Since I don't own a caravan or trailer (I'm getting this to possibly get a Lady P towbar bike rack or be able to rent trailers and for future resale value) I don't know what the difference is between single and split electrics. Which should I get?

[/quote

Go for the single electrics, the split electrics are if you're towing a caravan and need to keep the electrics running in the caravan. :yes:

Go for the single electrics, the split electrics are if you're towing a caravan and need to keep the electrics running in the caravan.

Aha! Well I certainly won't be doing that and the next owner can have that added then if he needs it. Thanks.

... factory pre-prep since it seems this is not an issue and might even be an advantage as viewed by some ...

Why?

I've decided to get the towbar fitted in the end (at the dealer) even though I don't have the factory pre-prep since it seems this is not an issue and might even be an advantage as viewed by some. Now I will get a 13 pin for sure as the 13 to 7 pin converter is cheap and then the whole thing is future proof. Since I don't own a caravan or trailer (I'm getting this to possibly get a Lady P towbar bike rack or be able to rent trailers and for future resale value) I don't know what the difference is between single and split electrics. Which should I get?

I do not understand the single/split electrics either. Since you will not be towing a caravan , your only issues are that the car needs to recognize that a trailer plug is inserted and that it should not show as a fault in the CPU and any back-up sensors be disabled.

I don't have back-up sensors, and only need the 7 pins, so Westfalia standard 13 pin and converter to 7 pin. Dealer installed, no factory prep.

No issues - the car recognizes the plug and even tells you if there is a fault in any of the trailer circuits. Turnsignals flash at the same rate, back-up light and rear fog light on the trailer work, as does the position lights and the brake lights.

If there is a different program for the ESP when towing a trailer, I cannot tell, but the Car CPU definitely knows there is something attached.

Why?

There are so many threads to wade through about towbars... But I think at the beginning it was dealer confusion as to what the factory prep actually was and how to tailor the dealer fitted bits to that. I think by now the dealers should know what is what and it should not make a difference if you have factory prep or not to be honest.

There are so many threads to wade through about towbars... But I think at the beginning it was dealer confusion as to what the factory prep actually was and how to tailor the dealer fitted bits to that. I think by now the dealers should know what is what and it should not make a difference if you have factory prep or not to be honest.

ic. Thanks

I do not understand the single/split electrics either. Since you will not be towing a caravan , your only issues are that the car needs to recognize that a trailer plug is inserted and that it should not show as a fault in the CPU and any back-up sensors be disabled.

And as I understand for this to happen (sans factory prep) the dealer has to do a software download to tell the car about the towbar. This IS one of the things they do with the factory prep. So all fine and well to have a third party add a towbar at the dealer (as my dealer said they will be doing) but the dealer then has to update the software in the car as well, otherwise your reversing sensors won't switch off, the ESP won't change and you won't get the trailer pictogram on the Bolero's display.

My understanding is:

The world of towing started with a "single" 7 pin socket, now usually just used for towing trailers.

The world then moved on to twin 7 pin sockets where one socket was as above and the second socket was used to power accessories in a caravan and charge a secondary battery fitted in the caravan. If you towed a trailer then you just used the first socket and ignored the second.

The latest "euro" socket is now a single 13 pin that combines the function of the above twin sockets. There is then a simple converter that enables a 7 pin plug trailer to connect to the 13 pin socket.

Without the factory towbar prep cost is a significant issue between having a single 7 pin socket and the modern 13 pin socket fitted.

On the related issue of programming the car:

And as I understand for this to happen (sans factory prep) the dealer has to do a software download to tell the car about the towbar. This IS one of the things they do with the factory prep. So all fine and well to have a third party add a towbar at the dealer (as my dealer said they will be doing) but the dealer then has to update the software in the car as well, otherwise your reversing sensors won't switch off, the ESP won't change and you won't get the trailer pictogram on the Bolero's display.

In these circumstances, IN THE UK, does the Bolero show the trailer pictogram?

tom

And as I understand for this to happen (sans factory prep) the dealer has to do a software download to tell the car about the towbar. This IS one of the things they do with the factory prep. So all fine and well to have a third party add a towbar at the dealer (as my dealer said they will be doing) but the dealer then has to update the software in the car as well, otherwise your reversing sensors won't switch off, the ESP won't change and you won't get the trailer pictogram on the Bolero's display.

I had tow bar (Westfalia) fitted in April (on delivery of the vehicle) with 13 pin, no split, electrics but without factory prep.

I assume that the software has been not been upgraded, as the reversing sensors still sound as soon as you select reverse (so they have not been disabled). I have the Columbus display, and there's no indication that a trailer is attached whether I use the Skoda 13 pin "double socket fly lead" converter, or the cheap 13 pin to 7 pin converter that I got from Hong King for £2.50 on eBay (which looks identical to Skoda's equivalent one). I doubt that the ESP changes when the trailer is attached, but then, how do you tell?

The give away seems to be that the dealer doesn't seem to be aware of the availability of any software download.

The theory of what is supposed to happen is good, but has anyone actually had the download done in the UK and what difference to they actually see? And is it an extra cost as the tow bar finisher panel seems to be (so I'm told)?

And is it an extra cost as the tow bar finisher panel seems to be (so I'm told)?

See post #91 on this page: http://briskoda.net/...in/page__st__80

I was told that as I did not have the factory prep the download would not disable the reversing sensors and this was the case The software download was £45 + vat and seemed to take around 45 mins.

See post #91 on this page: http://briskoda.net/...in/page__st__80

IMPORTANT UPDATE - The download I had from a third party did disable rear sensors and show caravan. I therefore assume that Skoda had sorted out the previous software issues before my download. The cover panel should be part of any dealer detachable towbar fitting job. The fixing frame for the cover comes with pre-fixed double sided adhesive tape and can be attached without removal of rear bumper.

IMPORTANT UPDATE - The download I had from a third party did disable rear sensors and show caravan. I therefore assume that Skoda had sorted out the previous software issues before my download. The cover panel should be part of any dealer detachable towbar fitting job. The fixing frame for the cover comes with pre-fixed double sided adhesive tape and can be attached without removal of rear bumper.

Sorry Geordiebroon now you have lost me. You had two software downloads? One worked and one did not? Can you please clarify what I should tell my dealer to do once I get to the towbar fitting stage? Thanks.

Sorry Geordiebroon now you have lost me. You had two software downloads? One worked and one did not? Can you please clarify what I should tell my dealer to do once I get to the towbar fitting stage? Thanks.

Sorry for the confusion 900000 .

I only had one download which works perfectly although at the time of booking I was informed that the rear parking sensors would not be disabled by the download.

I was expecting to have to have a further download to disable rear sensors but Skoda have saved me the trouble by "updating" their software download before it was applied to my car.

If your dealer has the necessary equipment to do the download then this could be done at the same time as the towbar fitting. As I understand it the download is referred to as a Dealer download and would expect by now the dealers would be up to speed.

My download was actually carried out by a third party whose workshop had Audis and VWs waiting for towbar fitting and they had already done 10 Yetis!!

Hope this is helpful as I am starting to get confused again.

Hope this is helpful as I am starting to get confused again.

Hehehe... Roger110 and out! I'm less confused now thanks. I hope my dealer is too, as when I mentioned the words "software" and "towbar" in the same sentence I could sence her eyes glazing over on the other end of the phone line!

This link gives a good explanation:

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/advice-centre-/tow-bar-advice/tow-bar-electrics.html

tom

I am getting a removeable towbar fitted with 13 pin socket (no factory TB prep). I need split charge facility as towing caravan. Found this on the official Skoda Yeti accessory brochure - "Full functionality upgrade kit for Yeti 2009 onwards - ZGB 3T2 055 204" - anyone know what this is?

It's the towbar electrics, you would need to get the supplementary electrics as well (3C0055204) to allow for split charging.

Hope that helps.

I know this has been done to death, but as we have a dealer contributing to the thread, thought it a good time to ask a direct question.

When I ordered our Yeti I went for the Towbar Prep, having read a lot on here regarding the pros and cons.

Now our car is due soon so its time to think about the actual iron work.

Can someone confirm the following please.

1. The towbar prep will have added wiring to the rear of the car so that the installer just has to plug in the final section to the 7/13 pin connector.

2. My ECU will have already been configured so that the reverse parking sensors wont activate if I have something plugged into the connector.

3. The rear bumper will have the cut out and removable blanking plate installed for the hitch.

Cheers

Vegit8 - from what I gather (which sometimes isn't much), question 1 yes it should just be 7 -13 connector that is needed, q2 ECU will have been configured so that sensors deactivate etc and q3 not too sure about? (bumper cut out) :wonder:

I have never personally seen a new car with factory prep, so the answers may not be exact, more my interpretation of what I've heard/read.

1/ Yes.

2/ No, it will need recoding AFTER the wring is connected. The "functions" are in all the ECU's but not "turned on. The reprogramming is basically turning them on.

It isn't just the rear parking sensors but quite a few other things as well, including extending the theft alarm system, altering the display on the Bolero or what ever is fitted, altering the stability system, and providing the indicator failure system that is required by law.

3/ Yes.

I think with reference to question 2 (but correct me if I'm wrong) and probably relating to 1 as well, there is still towing electrics that have to be fitted (along with the towbar itself), therefore Graham is correct that the coding would need to be done by the fitter.

Don't think it's as easy as 'plug and play'

It depends.

There is a basic tow bar electrics kit which provides wiring for just the trailer lighting, and then a supplementary kit that provides the extra wiring for the battery charge and fridge circuits. If these are ordered when the car is built then all the wires are fitted to the back of the car and it just needs the loom that comes with the towing socket to be plugged in. It really is plug-and-play.

If the basic towing only kit was ordered then the additional battery/fridge wires will need to be run to the back. Personally I wouldn't bother, as it only provides minimal charge to the battery and only keeps the firidge at the temperature it starts with and doesn't really cool it down any more.

Whatever loom is fitted the car will need to be reprogrammed.

+1

Fred

...it only provides minimal charge to the battery and only keeps the firidge at the temperature it starts with....

Agreed, but even a little charge is useful if you're not using 'electrified' pitches, and the tub of marge might not have quite liquified en route. As you said at first, Graham, 'It depends'!

As long as you're aware of the options.