Hi guys

Towbar prep/full fitment isn't offered as an option on the VRS or Monte Carlo (I have a Monte on order), I'm guessing due to the rear 'diffuser'. Has anyone had the option added or had one subsequently fitted? Can it be done without hacking up the rear bumper?

I do a fair bit of mountain biking and having used a towbar rack this weekend, feel it will be a far more new-car-friendly option for myself. Not entirely inkeeping with the theme of the car, but better than wrecking the interioir or scratching the bootlid to bits

Thanks in advance

Smithy

Pretty sure the new vRS can't tow like the last one. Someone will confirm that there's no towing weights in the book

It'll only be for a bike rack, but obviously I'll need electrics and what not for the light board.

Makes no odds really, if Skoda won't type approve the car for a tow bar you can't fit one.

My Sport Edition diffuser has a panel integrated that can be removed and allow to attach a towbar.

Isn't it the same with the vrs and monte?

Makes no odds really, if Skoda won't type approve the car for a tow bar you can't fit one.

Type approve? Is that some sort of legislation or does it just mean the chassis' not provided with the appropriate pick-up points?

Type approve? Is that some sort of legislation or does it just mean the chassis' not provided with the appropriate pick-up points?

Legislation, doesn't mean one can't be fitted, you just can't fit one legally.

The Mk1 VRS is the same as any other Fabia underneath but Skoda say you can't fit

a towbar.

What have the dealers said?

My cousin works for a tow bar manufacturer in Sheffield, he said that you can't fit one... I can't remember the reason mind!

I too have the pickle of wondering how to carry my bikes, I don't want to use a roof mount rack as have seen way to many dented roofs and scratched doors from bikes covered in mud clonking the car when been lifted on and off.

Saris do a really neat boot mount rack called the 'Grand Fondo', it carries 2 bikes with the bikes facing the car rather than leaning against it, the issues of fitting straps and clips to the body work still apply though.

The in car rack Skoda offer looks very restrictive as far as modern mountain bikes fitting with their tall front ends and different front wheel fittings.

If a detachable swan neck tow bar did exist I think I would go that route with concealed single electrics.

The vRS is not type approved for having a towbar fitted, a look in the handbook will show dashes where the towing weight figures should be. If you do fit one then you will open up a can of worms if you happen to have an accident and try to claim off your insurance. Every type of car sold in the UK has to be submitted to the Department of Transport for approval before it can be sold, it is inspected to make sure it has all the safety, emmissions etc equipment installed that the UK government require. Once it has been passed it is given a type approval number, which should be printed in your V5 document. Every subsequent model of that car sold in the country must have the same equipment fitted. If the car is not submitted with a tow bar available for inspection then that model will not get approval for a towbar to be fitted. Any approved towbar fitter who then fits one to that model of car is in serious trouble if a problem ensues.

I believe that is the case, but if anyone with first hand knowledge knows different, I would be interested to learn.

Ian

my dealer said you could get a tow bar for the monte carlo he said go private much cheeper but i still rather go with skoda

I think it has to do with the power in the vRS, it doesn't have any boost-limiter on 1:st gear.

Not that it is much torque/hp, but then again... it isn't alot off car either .

Edited 28 July, 201114 yr by Confide

Hmmmm, went in and asked the dealers and after a bit of tapping, his computer said the Monte is 'not suitable' for towbar application.

Any Monte owners care to see if their owner manual states a towing weight?

Alternatively, there's some smart boot racks about these days that are much better than my trusty old Halfords one (that has done me proud fir years now). The Saris Bones in various sizes look good, especially the design of the hooks which keep the buckles away from the bodywork :-)

Smithy

You can get a towbar, you can get the electrics, you can fit it. What you cannot do is tow anything. Carrying a bike carrier is NOT towing.

If you do tow you are breaking the law as you have no insurance as the vRS has no T.A. in UK. It does in Eire ????

I did all this with my mk1 and was thinking of doing the same to this one.

Oooooh controversy!!! Haha

Thanks for info dude. I'll definitely be looking into this as an option then. Obviously, how neatly it can be done is big thing too

Cheers guys. The forum is a massive help, and I don't even have the car yet!

Smithy

There is an issue with fitting a tow bar mounted bike rack, for instance if you run a 3 bike rack you can possibly exceed the nose weight of the tow bar with all the unsupported weight!