Bit of info for anyone interested in getting a towbar fitted.

Just had a PCT removable towbar and hidden electrics fitted today by Indespension in Edinburgh (although branches all over the place). They recommended the PCT over other makes as they said it was a cleaner fit and they were right. Picked the car up and there is no sign that a towbar is fitted other than a small loop bearly showing which the safety cable attaches to. As for cutting the bumper, we were surprised to find that it came from the factory with the gap already there, so no cutting was required.

Nice bit of kit and well fitted. So a thumbs up to Indespension, Edinburgh.

If anyone need pics or info give me a shout.

Bit of info for anyone interested in getting a towbar fitted.

Just had a PCT removable towbar and hidden electrics fitted today by Indespension in Edinburgh (although branches all over the place). They recommended the PCT over other makes as they said it was a cleaner fit and they were right. Picked the car up and there is no sign that a towbar is fitted other than a small loop bearly showing which the safety cable attaches to. As for cutting the bumper, we were surprised to find that it came from the factory with the gap already there, so no cutting was required.

Nice bit of kit and well fitted. So a thumbs up to Indespension, Edinburgh.

If anyone need pics or info give me a shout.

I need a towbar and have an Indespension near me. Some pics would be great cheers.

I need a towbar and have an Indespension near me. Some pics would be great cheers.

OK, I's getting a bit dark, so I'll get some done tomorrow and post them up.

+1 for pics

Would you also mind PM'ing me prices if you dont want to post publicly.

I've just fitted a Westfalia Detachable towbar and dedicated electrics to my 57 plate Octavia Estate (Elegance).

All you can see is a little loop of cable which is left slack to allow the socket to fold up into the bumper and down for use.

Fitting was quite an involved job so in hindsight I might recommend paying a fitter.

Prices were (from PF Jones):

Tow bar kit: ~£190

Electrics: ~£130

Fitting: PF Jones quoted £150 to send someone to my house. I think there was VAT to go on top.

Recoding: ~£70 at the Skoda dealer. Not essential with the dedicated kit, but it will switch off the parking sensors and alter the stability and braking programmes when the trailer is attached.

OK, here goes. Got down low to show fitting. I have the prices for 2 makes fitted and inclusive of VAT. The Brink is £395 fitted and the PCT is £420 fitted. I got the PCT and it comes with a nice bag for the towbar when not in use and 2 keys for locking the towbar on - there is a covered lock on the twist mechanism. I went for the PCT purely on the recomendation of Indespension as they said it was the best fit for the car - don't really want to have the thread decend into a "which is best" slanging match !

Also, for further info for caravan users, I use a ALKO 3004 hitch stabilizer which requires a 68mm clearence from ball centre point to bumper and can confirm fitted to the facelift Octavia there is a 72mm clearence, so all is good

OK, Couple of pics and please excuse the weeds on the drive ! .... Added standing back shot for clarification.

No offence, but I know I wouldn't be happy with having that much visible when the tow bar isn't attached. I'm not saying the Westfalia is a better towbar, but the one I had fitted leaves no trace at all when not on the car. I believe the Westfalia is the one Skoda supply. No bumper cut required either.

Fair enough, no bumper cut here either and the pic was taken with me on the ground. when standing you cant see it. Each to their own

No offence, but I know I wouldn't be happy with having that much visible when the tow bar isn't attached. I'm not saying the Westfalia is a better towbar, but the one I had fitted leaves no trace at all when not on the car. I believe the Westfalia is the one Skoda supply. No bumper cut required either.

None of the FLs require bumper cut as it is cut already. If you fit to a pre-FL you will need to cut the bumper.

I have the Westfalia detachable and it doesn't show. Skoda appear to have a different towbar from westfalia than is supplied as Westfalia badged. The Westfalia one does not fit the cutout in the foam jack/tool carrier that sits in the spare wheel. I assume the Skoda one would?

For reference I paid £386 for bar and dedicated 13-pin electrics from PF jones, then fitted myself. Delivered next day. Took about 4-hours to fit, really easy and only coding left to do(being done tomorrow by fellow Briskodian with VCDS). The coding helps with disabling rear fogs and PDC as well as modifying stability control on VRS, but there are no errors without the coding so not a must do. Dealer quoted 1/2 hours labour.

None of the FLs require bumper cut as it is cut already. If you fit to a pre-FL you will need to cut the bumper.

I have the Westfalia detachable and it doesn't show. Skoda appear to have a different towbar from westfalia than is supplied as Westfalia badged. The Westfalia one does not fit the cutout in the foam jack/tool carrier that sits in the spare wheel. I assume the Skoda one would?

For reference I paid £386 for bar and dedicated 13-pin electrics from PF jones, then fitted myself. Delivered next day. Took about 4-hours to fit, really easy and only coding left to do(being done tomorrow by fellow Briskodian with VCDS). The coding helps with disabling rear fogs and PDC as well as modifying stability control on VRS, but there are no errors without the coding so not a must do. Dealer quoted 1/2 hours labour.

Do you have the tow bar part number please?

None of the FLs require bumper cut as it is cut already. If you fit to a pre-FL you will need to cut the bumper.

I have the Westfalia detachable and it doesn't show. Skoda appear to have a different towbar from westfalia than is supplied as Westfalia badged. The Westfalia one does not fit the cutout in the foam jack/tool carrier that sits in the spare wheel. I assume the Skoda one would?

For reference I paid £386 for bar and dedicated 13-pin electrics from PF jones, then fitted myself. Delivered next day. Took about 4-hours to fit, really easy and only coding left to do(being done tomorrow by fellow Briskodian with VCDS). The coding helps with disabling rear fogs and PDC as well as modifying stability control on VRS, but there are no errors without the coding so not a must do. Dealer quoted 1/2 hours labour.

Hi I have the Skoda towbar and it does fit nicely in the foam carrier in the spare wheel. Although it did cost me £500 fitted by the dealer with a 13 pin electric socket.

Do you have the tow bar part number please?

The PF Jones part number is 317102. The Westfalia number I'll have to look up when I get home.

Just found it on my invoice 317 102 600 001.

HERE is the fitting instruction manual.

Edited 15 July, 201114 yr by CJSVRS

The PF Jones part number is 317102. The Westfalia number I'll have to look up when I get home.

Just found it on my invoice 317 102 600 001.

HERE is the fitting instruction manual.

Thankyou

They are £187 delivered on Ebay with wiring kit from £26. Hmmm need to do some thinking.

OK, here goes. Got down low to show fitting. I have the prices for 2 makes fitted and inclusive of VAT. The Brink is £395 fitted and the PCT is £420 fitted. I got the PCT and it comes with a nice bag for the towbar when not in use and 2 keys for locking the towbar on - there is a covered lock on the twist mechanism. I went for the PCT purely on the recomendation of Indespension as they said it was the best fit for the car - don't really want to have the thread decend into a "which is best" slanging match !

Also, for further info for caravan users, I use a ALKO 3004 hitch stabilizer which requires a 68mm clearence from ball centre point to bumper and can confirm fitted to the facelift Octavia there is a 72mm clearence, so all is good

OK, Couple of pics and please excuse the weeds on the drive ! .... Added standing back shot for clarification.

Fanks

Just what i needed

The coding helps with disables rear fogs and PDC as well as modifying stability control on VRS, but there are no errors without the coding so not a must do. Dealer quoted 1/2 hours labour.

Just make sure that if a dealer does the coding that they code it ALL correctly.

I have just coded a Yeti towbar that the dealer had (IIRC) 5 attempts at coding, yet it was still not right.

We had the skoda bar fitted to our vrs estate and you can't see it atall when not fitted. Only slight problem I have with it is that it sits very close to back bumper and makes fitting my bike rack hard work. Have to put a towel between it and the car when fitting so not to scratch the bumper.