Hi All

My Build week 35 car is imminent at the dealer and I am really looking forward to delivery

However, I will be towing a caravan and the dealer told me not to get towbar prep as an option. I would like a detachable bar and Indespension in Reading (Dealer uses these for all their towbar work) have quoted £575 inc VAT.

1. Is this a good price? Would anyone recommend cheaper/better?

2. Will any coding work need to take place when the bar is fitted? (Fog light, sensors etc)

3. Does the car know it is towing and compensate accordingly?

4. Anything else I need to know?

The car is a Superb Estate 140 Elegance for info.

Grateful for any assistance on this

Steve

I was quoted over £700 by a reputable company in Chester. That was using all genuine parts and included the coding. If your price includes bespoke wiring (not dodgy connectors) a decent make of tow bar and the coding, then I'd say it's a fair price. My dealer quoted me just over £800...!

Westfalia detachable tow bar and swing down hidden electrics.

£300 North West Tow Bars in Stockport.

Phil.

Bought a Westfalia detachable for my ovtavia vrs estate and dedicated electrics from P F Jones for £321 delivered. Sure it said it fitted superb as well. Totally invisible from behind when attached. fitted myself, though did take quite a few hours. Not really difficult, just needed to take time hen removing trim etc. Followed instructions from VRS.com. Hope this helps.

Westfalia detachable tow bar and swing down hidden electrics.

£300 North West Tow Bars in Stockport.

Phil.

Hello Phil

New to the Forum as just waiting to pick up (hopefully next week) a Superb Elegance 170 DSG.

I've been exploring the tow bar situation as I need one fitted as well. Most important issue that I've detected is that you must have a separate wiring loom insaalled if you are to achieve anything like the functionaility from the tow bar you wish. Next the Westphalia detachable tow bar is recommended by Skoda / VW for the car. The Witter tow bar appears to be more difficult to fit on a daily basis.

I live at Chester and Chester Tow Bars appear expensive at a price quoted to me of £680.

I'e had a quote from North West Tow Bars of £429 (incl VAT) with 7 pin socket and £471 with a 13 pin euro socket. This is with the separate wiring loom, quality parts and warrantied against causing fault on the car's electrics.

Can you recall what your £300 quote covered as that appears very cheap in comparison to what I've been quoted? Does it include the separate wiring loom for example? The chap I spoke to said he's even had someone travel from Essex to Stockport based on positive comments on this Forum.

Any observations anyone?

Thanks

Dave at Saughall

I was quoted over £700 by a reputable company in Chester. That was using all genuine parts and included the coding. If your price includes bespoke wiring (not dodgy connectors) a decent make of tow bar and the coding, then I'd say it's a fair price. My dealer quoted me just over £800...!

Crikey that was expensive .....

Bought a Westfalia detachable for my ovtavia vrs estate and dedicated electrics from P F Jones for £321 delivered. Sure it said it fitted superb as well. Totally invisible from behind when attached. fitted myself, though did take quite a few hours. Not really difficult, just needed to take time hen removing trim etc. Followed instructions from VRS.com. Hope this helps.

Hi

Not interested in doing myself as I want a proper job done Thanks for your response

Hi All

Getting various prices, but price isn't really the issue. Is there coding to be done to the car and what will the consequence be if the coding is not done?

Thanks for your replies so far

The main thing is that the car won't recognise that you have a trailer attached. This is particularly important if you have rear sensors (to stop them beeping automatically) and the potential for a trailer stability programme built into the car to help prevent snaking etc. when towing. My last car was a VW Tiguan and after being recoded it helped enormously - even telling you when a trailer light bulb wasn't working correctly. The other issue from the dealer I'm buying from is that they are concerned about any towbar installation affecting the elctrics in soe unforseen way. That's why wem ned to ensure that the tow bar company will warranty their work against any such impact.

This is my undertanding as a layman anyway - there's probably a more technical explanation but I hope this helps.

Dave

Dealer just phoned and I can collect on Friday At last

The main thing is that the car won't recognise that you have a trailer attached. This is particularly important if you have rear sensors (to stop them beeping automatically) and the potential for a trailer stability programme built into the car to help prevent snaking etc. when towing. My last car was a VW Tiguan and after being recoded it helped enormously - even telling you when a trailer light bulb wasn't working correctly. The other issue from the dealer I'm buying from is that they are concerned about any towbar installation affecting the elctrics in soe unforseen way. That's why wem ned to ensure that the tow bar company will warranty their work against any such impact.

This is my undertanding as a layman anyway - there's probably a more technical explanation but I hope this helps.

Dave

Hi Dave

My thoughts entirely, this is why I posted the question. Seems my dealer doesn't know about coding the car even though they will take it to Indespension on my behalf :confused:

There has been a long thread about towbar coding in the Yeti section. It might be worth looking at that.

Hello Phil

New to the Forum as just waiting to pick up (hopefully next week) a Superb Elegance 170 DSG.

I've been exploring the tow bar situation as I need one fitted as well. Most important issue that I've detected is that you must have a separate wiring loom insaalled if you are to achieve anything like the functionaility from the tow bar you wish. Next the Westphalia detachable tow bar is recommended by Skoda / VW for the car. The Witter tow bar appears to be more difficult to fit on a daily basis.

I live at Chester and Chester Tow Bars appear expensive at a price quoted to me of £680.

I'e had a quote from North West Tow Bars of £429 (incl VAT) with 7 pin socket and £471 with a 13 pin euro socket. This is with the separate wiring loom, quality parts and warrantied against causing fault on the car's electrics.

Can you recall what your £300 quote covered as that appears very cheap in comparison to what I've been quoted? Does it include the separate wiring loom for example? The chap I spoke to said he's even had someone travel from Essex to Stockport based on positive comments on this Forum.

Any observations anyone?

Thanks

Dave at Saughall

Hi Dave,

I didn't go for re-coding as I only have a bike carrier on the tow ball. The rear parking sensors work ok with the tow bar fitted.

However with the bike rack fitted they don't.

I can put up with that minor problem.

Phil.

This is the Westfalia tow bar.

Without .........

..... and with

There has been a long thread about towbar coding in the Yeti section. It might be worth looking at that.

Thanks

This is the Westfalia tow bar.

Without .........

..... and with

Ha Ha looks good, both the tow bar and your reflection

The main thing is that the car won't recognise that you have a trailer attached. This is particularly important if you have rear sensors (to stop them beeping automatically) and the potential for a trailer stability programme built into the car to help prevent snaking etc. when towing. My last car was a VW Tiguan and after being recoded it helped enormously - even telling you when a trailer light bulb wasn't working correctly. The other issue from the dealer I'm buying from is that they are concerned about any towbar installation affecting the elctrics in soe unforseen way. That's why wem ned to ensure that the tow bar company will warranty their work against any such impact.

This is my undertanding as a layman anyway - there's probably a more technical explanation but I hope this helps.

Dave

...but I don't think the car has a "trailer stability programme". There's nothing mentioned in either the brochure or the manual other than the car's ESP system which will work with or without a trailer.

I've got an estate on order and have been quoted approx £410 for a Witter detachable by a company that do a lot of towbars for customers of Farmers Skoda in Nottingham. I asked him about coding for the sensors and he asked me if I have a mover on my caravan. Light bulb moment...of course, I won't do much reversing with the van attached and could always turn the beeping sensors off anyway.

The main thing is that the car won't recognise that you have a trailer attached. This is particularly important if you have rear sensors (to stop them beeping automatically) and the potential for a trailer stability programme built into the car to help prevent snaking etc. when towing. My last car was a VW Tiguan and after being recoded it helped enormously - even telling you when a trailer light bulb wasn't working correctly. The other issue from the dealer I'm buying from is that they are concerned about any towbar installation affecting the elctrics in soe unforseen way. That's why wem ned to ensure that the tow bar company will warranty their work against any such impact.

This is my undertanding as a layman anyway - there's probably a more technical explanation but I hope this helps.

Dave

Hi Dave,

just to let you know, I recently asked at Claybank (Skoda dealer in Eccles, Manchester) they quots £595 incl. VAT for the full works one... detachable with dedicated electrics...

We're thinking about getting a caravan so it might take a while before we committ to getting a towbar.... be interesting to hear what you do in the end.

Also I thought that the ESP system did include the "trailer stability programme" I'm not definite but I am assuming that they won't delete what is presumably a software safety feature from the ESP system???? I thought that all VW's and therefore VAG's would have the same ESP system. If anyone actually knows it would be great if you could tell us.

Thanks

Stef

Hi Dave,

just to let you know, I recently asked at Claybank (Skoda dealer in Eccles, Manchester) they quots £595 incl. VAT for the full works one... detachable with dedicated electrics...

We're thinking about getting a caravan so it might take a while before we committ to getting a towbar.... be interesting to hear what you do in the end.

Also I thought that the ESP system did include the "trailer stability programme" I'm not definite but I am assuming that they won't delete what is presumably a software safety feature from the ESP system???? I thought that all VW's and therefore VAG's would have the same ESP system. If anyone actually knows it would be great if you could tell us.

Thanks

Stef

Thanks Stef

That is basically what I am asking with the code. Is there a stability program within the car that needs to be coded so that it knows when the caravan is hitched up. If not, then I will go to my local Indespension who are quoting me nearly £100 less than Reading.

This is really confusing considering the thing has one towcar of the year for the second time running with the Caravan Club....

Thanks Stef

That is basically what I am asking with the code. Is there a stability program within the car that needs to be coded so that it knows when the caravan is hitched up. If not, then I will go to my local Indespension who are quoting me nearly £100 less than Reading.

This is really confusing considering the thing has one towcar of the year for the second time running with the Caravan Club....

cheers & good luck on Friday's birth... :sun:

She was our first new car too & no complaints so far, apart from I only get to drive her at the weekend... have the pleasure of my companies Golf Bluemotion rest of the week.

Stef

cheers & good luck on Friday's birth... :sun:

She was our first new car too & no complaints so far, apart from I only get to drive her at the weekend... have the pleasure of my companies Golf Bluemotion rest of the week.

Stef

Hi Stef

Thanks a lot, I'm sure I will enjoy as I am coming out of a 2003 Passat

Hi All

I have now found a good company to fit the towbar who know how to code the car after fitting and why they are coding it. The Superb ESP system has Trailer Stability built in but it does need to be coded after a tow bar is fitted. They will also turn off the foglight and reversing sensors when the towbar is being used.

They were the most expensive of the five quotes I had, but he was miles ahead in the knowledge of the product and they were recommended by my local dealer.

The company is...............

Towbex in Lancing and the guy I spoke to was Daryl.

It is being fitted on Monday 25th September so I will let you know how I get on......

Crikey that was expensive .....

Hi Steve,

I am in your neck of the woods at Rustington.

I intend to have a detachable towbar fitted when my Superb 170 estate is delivered possibly in December.

I have had 4 cars fitted with towbars by Sussex Towbars in Worthing and been very pleased with the service and price. The cars involved have been a Renault Clio, BMW 530D saloon, BMW 530D Estate and currently a Honda CRV. They even came out to my house to do the fitting. I only need the single electrics as I am only towing a very small trailer to the dump.

I am not sure about the techie things you are talking about but when I go into reverse there is a single bleep from the rear sensors and then nothing more when reversing.

The cost I have been quoted for a Witter detachable towbar with single electrics is £375 which I think includes VAT.

I hope this information is not too late for your use.

Hi All

My Build week 35 car is imminent at the dealer and I am really looking forward to delivery

However, I will be towing a caravan and the dealer told me not to get towbar prep as an option. I would like a detachable bar and Indespension in Reading (Dealer uses these for all their towbar work) have quoted £575 inc VAT.

1. Is this a good price? Would anyone recommend cheaper/better?

2. Will any coding work need to take place when the bar is fitted? (Fog light, sensors etc)

3. Does the car know it is towing and compensate accordingly?

4. Anything else I need to know?

The car is a Superb Estate 140 Elegance for info.

Grateful for any assistance on this

Steve

Steve,

This message may be too late for you but I am in your neck of the woods from Rustington and I would recommend Sussex Towbars in Worthing.

They have fitted towbars to 4 cars for us starting with a Renault Clio, then a BMW 530D estate followed by a BMW 530D saloon and currently a Honda CRV.

I am not into techie stuff but when I go into reverse with the trailer on the back the sensors bleep just once so do not interfere with me reversing.

Sussex towbars came out to my house to perform the installation and I know they do work for Chandlers (BMW). My set up is just for single electrics as all I am towing is a small trailer to take rubbish to the dump.

I am waiting for delivery of my new Superb 170 diesel estate around December and have had a quote of £375 for a Witter detachable towbar. I think this price includes VAT. I have not opted for the factory towbar electrics option.

I hope this helps.