Iain,

As Techie says there are 2 towing looms, one for basically the lighting system, and an additional one for the split charge and fridge. It says that in the brochure, so who ever advised you was incorrect, which I'm afraid doesn't seem that uncommon.

Additionally, I find it quite amusing this UK thing about the fridge and charging, because having spoken to several European friends who caravan, none of them have it, and they see no need of it. And looking at what little it actually does I'm inclined to agree with them. It only keeps the fridge at a constant temperature and doesn't actually cool it, and doesn't actually do a lot to the battery either. It appears that most European car manufacturers don't normally include this function in their towing electrics, but it has to be requested as an extra.

Yep it is fairly pointless as you hook up when you get to site anyhow.

By the Skoda system they do not list the accessory kit as being suitable with factory prep, but I have run the additional wiring on prep cars. Although to be honest it doesn't really save any time or money if you want both.

I'm sure the brochure I got just before I bought the car listed the "charging" loom as a seperate item.

I'm probably going to be accused of not understanding previous posts on similar topics, but as I've had conflicting advice - here goes.

I have a Westfalia detachable towbar supplied & fitted as a "Skoda" towbar when the car was new.

It has 13 pin electrics, no factory prep, and a Skoda black box of tricks behind the N/s boot panel.

As far as I know, no wiring was run forward to pick up any circuits in the front of the car.

Can my car be reprogrammed so that when I'm towing the reversing sensors/rear fog are disabled, the stability program etc altered automatically & the trailer indicated on the Columbus screen?

If so, can this be done via VCDS or is it a Skoda Dealer job?

Sorry to be a bit dim!

John H

Edited 23 April, 201214 yr by speedsport

John,

nice quick and easy answer......

YES!

If it was fitted by the dealer then they should have done it anyway, as it is included in the fitment price.

If there was no Tow bar Prep and no wiring was run forward to pick up any circuits in the front of the car then I don't think you will have any luck

Tow bar prep just refers to work done in the factory this is to install uprated fans and to bring the wiring loom to the rear of the car to save the interior having to be taken apart to allow the wiring to be taken to the front of the car, this is where it needs to be plugged in if you want the reversing sensor disable, pictogram and other functions enabled. If the wires have just been spliced into the wires at the back of the car then any coding will be a waste of time and money.

Ian

Doesn't the tow bar prep option exclude the charging circuit harness (which needs wiring to front of car) so that if you need this, the interior trim would still need to be removed and another/additional loom installed?

Thanks for your responses folks, but now you can see what I mean by conflicting opinions (no insult intended!).

Whilst I've no doubt that feeds would need to run forward to the front fuse box for supplies for the various circuits that in the old days would have been handled by a secondary trailer socket, I don't need these, so all connections were made at the rear of the car using a Skoda wiring kit, presumably connecting into the various circuits in the boot area.

The only thing I'm trying to find a definitive answer to is the coding issue. Can the trailer functions be enabled (by recoding either via VCDS or by the dealer), or is that only possible if the installer ran leads forward & connected them to something "up front"?

Stands well back & puts hard hat & ear defenders on!

John H

No. If there was no Tow bar Prep and no wiring was run forward to pick up any circuits in the front of the car then it means that the wiring has just been spliced into the loom. No trailer Module therefore No coding.

However you say that "It has 13 pin electrics, no factory prep, and a Skoda black box of tricks behind the N/s boot panel.

This would seem to indicate that the wiring was taken through to the front and that the job was done correctly, if this is so then you will be able to get it coded. The only way to find out is to take it back to the dealer or get someone with a VCDS to check it for you.

Edited 25 April, 201214 yr by Lowen

I didn’t go for the tow bar prep two years ago as back then I didn’t have a clue what it was and no one seemed to know, (least of all the dealers).

I had my tow bar fitted along with a new wiring loom and recoded by Chester Tow bars.

Works fine, have towed three different trailers hundreds of miles over the last two years with no problems. I have 13 pin electrics but my trailers have all been 7 pin so have just used the adapter that was given to me. When connected trailer shows on the bolero screen as connected and reversing sensors are disabled.

I'm looking at taking the plunge soon so have been following the various towbar threads with interest. I phoned my dealer today who quoted me £650 for a detachable towbar. I recently got a quote from Towbar Express which was, within a few pounds, the same price fitted at home. I e-mailed Phil Taylor (after a recommendation on here) and they have said £600 for a detachable Westfalia with 13 pin electrics, all coded. I await a quote from my local Indespension outlet.

I have factory towbar prep but at least two of the towbar specialists have been unaware of what this means for Yetis, particularly not knowing the bumper cut and insert panel is already done.

It's a minefield!

Chester tow bars charged me £550 back in 2010.

It would have been £400 if I had had the tow car prep as the wiring loom and coding would not have been required.

Chester tow bars charged me £550 back in 2010.

It would have been £400 if I had had the tow car prep as the wiring loom and coding would not have been required.

You still need a wiring kit and coding, even with towbar prep.

I'm looking at taking the plunge soon so have been following the various towbar threads with interest. I phoned my dealer today who quoted me £650 for a detachable towbar. I recently got a quote from Towbar Express which was, within a few pounds, the same price fitted at home. I e-mailed Phil Taylor (after a recommendation on here) and they have said £600 for a detachable Westfalia with 13 pin electrics, all coded. I await a quote from my local Indespension outlet.

I have factory towbar prep but at least two of the towbar specialists have been unaware of what this means for Yetis, particularly not knowing the bumper cut and insert panel is already done.

It's a minefield!

I got a quote from my local indespension outlet today. They insisted on a Witter bar (trying to sell it to me that it doesn't have such a visible cut as the Westfalia and doesn't need the cover). With dedicated wiring, 13 pin electric socket, detachable, £589. I would have to get ECU programmed elsewhere.

I had a fixed Witter tow bar fitted recently by NorthWest Towbars in Stockport, highly recommended. Total cost £385, including genuine Skoda electrics, 13pin and programming. Cut-out in bumper is very small.

I got a quote from my local indespension outlet today. They insisted on a Witter bar (trying to sell it to me that it doesn't have such a visible cut as the Westfalia and doesn't need the cover). With dedicated wiring, 13 pin electric socket, detachable, £589. I would have to get ECU programmed elsewhere.

See the post below yours ref Northwest Towbars (£385) or try MDS Towbars - mobile all over the Northwest on 01706642 302 - they charged me £355 COMPLETE with everything.

If you post your location more reasonable people could be recomended..

Soupafly, where are you, as you don't state a location other than UK?

I got a quote from my local indespension outlet today. They insisted on a Witter bar (trying to sell it to me that it doesn't have such a visible cut as the Westfalia and doesn't need the cover). With dedicated wiring, 13 pin electric socket, detachable, £589. I would have to get ECU programmed elsewhere.

I just received my quote from Indespension. To fit an unspecified detachable bar with 13 pin electrics and dedicated vehicle wiring kit would be £395+VAT, so £474. This would then need coding at my expense. Big difference from your quote!

I'm still inclined to go to an independent specialist rather than a national chain, even if it might cost me a bit more and be a bit less convenient; at least they will code it and fit the bar of my choice (ie Westfalia).

You still need a wiring kit and coding, even with towbar prep.

That's not what I was told. Trouble is you get a different story depending on who you ask and when you ask. :think:

I'm looking at taking the plunge soon so have been following the various towbar threads with interest. I phoned my dealer today who quoted me £650 for a detachable towbar. I recently got a quote from Towbar Express which was, within a few pounds, the same price fitted at home. I e-mailed Phil Taylor (after a recommendation on here) and they have said £600 for a detachable Westfalia with 13 pin electrics, all coded. I await a quote from my local Indespension outlet.

I have factory towbar prep but at least two of the towbar specialists have been unaware of what this means for Yetis, particularly not knowing the bumper cut and insert panel is already done.

It's a minefield!

I got a quote from Towbar Express a couple of weeks ago and they told me £464 inc VAT for an unspecified removable towbar including 13-pin electrics.

I still can't work out if I should specify Towbar Prep for my order . . .

Chris

Soupafly, where are you, as you don't state a location other than UK?

I'm near Derby

Did your Towbar Express quote include a vehicle-specific wiring kit? That adds around £120 from memory.

Mine's booked into local dealer next Friday. Actual fitting is done by a fitting company, Skoda do the programming. Will let you know how it goes. Paid £400 I think for non removable.

I had my Westfalia detachable towbar fitted at the beginning of March by LNB towbars in Bristol (01179 694944) this was with a dedicated Skoda wiring loom and also charging for a caravan. The cost was £552 all in.

They have a re-coder that is supplied by Westfalia that should be sufficient to recode the system but if they can not complete it then they put you in touch with the Westfalia support for the south west who you can either arrange for them to come to you or as in my case i went to them to have the settings reset properly there was no cost to me other than fuel and it took less than 5 mins to complete.

Hope this might be of use for us in the Bristol area. Cheers.

Edited 30 April, 201214 yr by jonboy2