I know a lot has been written already regarding cheaper third party towing electrics, but I thought I'd highlight the advantages of genuine Skoda electrics

1. No annoying beeping or flashing light when indicating as all bulb failures on the trailer are reported on the dash (in the same way as the car's lights)
   
2. When connected and the car is locked the integral alarm will sound if the electrics to the trailer are disconnected without first unlocking the car
   
3. The rear parking sensors are disabled when a trailer is connected (fronts remain active, if installed) - and you get a nice graphic displayed to remind you that you are towing -
   
   

Hi,

Got a Westfalia fitted at local Skoda Dealer a few months back.

It included a genuine wiring kit (or so I was told).

Thing is I dont have that display thingy when I put the car/trailer in reverse, also the reversing sensors dont disable.

The only difference I notice with the trailer connected is a beep when I turn on indicators / hazzards.

How can I check if I have a genuine wiring setup.

Should the dealer have done some programming to configure the features above to appear.

Thanks

D

I would go back to the dealer having looked at the earlier post.

How can I check if I have a genuine wiring setup.

Should the dealer have done some programming to configure the features above to appear.

Thanks

D

Can you hear any relays clicking when you turn the ignition on? If so then it has not been wired 'correctly' (as factory fit)

I tried to code a Yeti that had the 'factory towbar prep' turned out the Skoda dealer had scotchlocked and bodged the wiring in place - then claimed this was a skoda recommended way to wire them!!

Yes you will need some coding done for everything to work as intended - alas, many Skoda dealers seem incapable of doing this at all / correctly.

I had a Westfalia detachable towball retro-fitted three weeks ago by Trident Trailers in Maidstone - they carried out ALL the necessary procedures including resetting the on-board computer stuff. I did not have the Skoda towing preparation kit on purchase as I bought from the showroom, however, Trident Trailers fitted an appropriate kit. I used the caravan for the first time this year at the week-end and It all worked exactly as it should including all the visible/audible features on the Columbus.

The cut out required from the rear bumper to accommodate the "ironwork" has been very neatly achieved so that nothing shows when the towball is removed and the retractable 13-pin electric connector also becomes non-visible once it's put into the "hidden" position.

This is the third time they have retro-fitted a towball for me and I would highly recommend them. A LOT cheaper than having it done by Skoda! In addition they gave me back the steelwork removed from the car (the new towball comes with a replacement bumper bracket) so if ever I decided to remove the towball and fittings in the future, I can replace the old bracket to its original position and sell the car without towball - a bit pointless really but at least it's an option!

I have a Superb Elegance 4x4 170 Hatchback and it tows like a steamtrain....fabulous - it's a heavy caravan and I averaged 29mpg mostly at 60mph with the van attached (real data NOT from the on-board trip thingy!!!). I've been towing caravans for almost 30 years now and this car tows as well as any 4x4 I've had in the past including a VW Tiguan and a Mercedes 4x4 M Class.

I did forget to increase the tyre pressures on outward journey, but the on-board tyre pressure gauge soon lit up to let me know the tyres were too soft. Pumped them up to correct pressures to come home and hey presto - no tyre pressure warning light....simples!!!!!

Edited 23 April, 201214 yr by Optimist

Hi, Got a Westfalia fitted at local Skoda Dealer a few months back. It included a genuine wiring kit (or so I was told). Thing is I dont have that display thingy when I put the car/trailer in reverse, also the reversing sensors dont disable. The only difference I notice with the trailer connected is a beep when I turn on indicators / hazzards. How can I check if I have a genuine wiring setup. Should the dealer have done some programming to configure the features above to appear. Thanks D

This is identical to my experience, when I bought the towbar option with my car from new (and it was fitted by a 3rd party through the Skoda dealer). It sounds to me that you have the same issue that I did - your towbar electrics have not been fitted correctly (as per Skoda spec). Definitely take this back to your dealer and ask for this to be rectified.

Does anyone know if the graphics with the trailer is also displayed on the Amundsen nav. system?

I know a lot has been written already regarding cheaper third party towing electrics, but I thought I'd highlight the advantages of genuine Skoda electrics

1. No annoying beeping or flashing light when indicating as all bulb failures on the trailer are reported on the dash (in the same way as the car's lights)
   
2. When connected and the car is locked the integral alarm will sound if the electrics to the trailer are disconnected without first unlocking the car
   
3. The rear parking sensors are disabled when a trailer is connected (fronts remain active, if installed) - and you get a nice graphic displayed to remind you that you are towing -
   

About 2: I found that out this weekend when I disconnected my bike-carrier and it set of the alarm. :think: And one more very important advantage of the genuine kit:

4. With the original towing electrics kit you can enable TSA (Trailer Stability Assist) when your S2 is at least MY2009. I have successfully enabled TSA on my S2. Problem with TSA is that most dealers do not know anything about it. Mine did not know what I was talking about, and I had to tell him how to verify its working....

Edited 24 April, 201214 yr by andrehj

About 2: I found that out this weekend when I disconnected my bike-carrier and it set of the alarm. :think: And one more very important advantage of the genuine kit:

4. With the original towing electrics kit you can enable TSA (Trailer Stability Assist) when your S2 is at least MY2009. I have successfully enabled TSA on my S2. Problem with TSA is that most dealers do not know anything about it. Mine did not know what I was talking about, and I had to tell him how to verify its working....

Is there a link somewhere that explains how to tell if it's been enabled? Or even better the VCDS coding work that needs to be done?

I collect a car in a few weeks time and need to get this fitted. It sounds like I won't be trusting the dealership to do this!

Is there a link somewhere that explains how to tell if it's been enabled? Or even better the VCDS coding work that needs to be done?

This attached document from Westfalia covers the programming. Page 23 covers TSA.

Regards,

Kevin.

Westfalia Wiring Leaflet.pdf

Edited 25 April, 201214 yr by Kevlock

Go to a trusted independant, such as towbar express. The proper electrics package will plug into the convenience module at the front of the car, any reputable fitter will be able to do this and much cheaper than Skoda dealers who will mostly farm out this work. They should then have the suitable equipment, probably an autologic diagnostic tool to be able to code the car and turn on the towing features.

Ian

Thos instructions are perfect. My car is coming with the wiring for the towing ECU, however I'll have to add some power wires for the fridge / charging.

Is there a link somewhere that explains how to tell if it's been enabled? Or even better the VCDS coding work that needs to be done?

If TSA has been enabled can be checked when you follow the instructions at item number 47 at page 23 of the Westfalia leaflet from #10.

If you want to know how to enable all the necessary things, there is a much better guide available from Ross-Tech:

http://wiki.ross-tec...itting_%281K%29

It assumes some knowledge of VCDS, but it covers all the changes you have to make to successfully and completely tell all the systems in your S2 that a tow bar is present.

One more thing: Westfalia have recently performed a major upgrade of their installation instructions. Instead of text-only, there are now many pictures, which makes the instructions much easier to read and 1000% better:

http://www.westfalia-automotive.de/fileadmin/templates/pdf/e_anlagen/321/e321600391101-018.pdf

Edited 25 April, 201214 yr by andrehj

Again, all very helpful. Thanks guys.

Can anyone recommend a supplier that will ship to Australia. Skoda pricing here is insane, but my dealer will install if I source the aftermarket hardware. Superb ll MY2009 sedan.

Are you looking for the electrics, or the steel?

Does coding of the CANBUS by dealer have to be done with a trailer board or electrics attached? I've taken mine to local dealer twice now and it still is not recognising trailer. Kit fitted is a right connection vehicle specific (with 100% success apparently). All fitted independently, all electrics on caravan are working corerctly which my fitter assures me means it must be connected to canbus correctly. I suspect dealer is not up to it, but paid £100 for the benefit!

Al the ones I have coded have been successful without a trailer or light board attached, most dealers seem to be clued up on the coding now… looks like your dealer is not there yet, take it back, get a refund and get someone with VCDS to do it correctly.

I agree you don't have to have the trailer attached to do the coding. Mine was done without and works fine. The rears switch off, and the picture of the trailer shows in the Columbus, by doing what was said in the Westfalia instructions linked in an earlier post.

A better source, which explains clearly all the coding that has to be done with VCDS is on Ross-Tech's own site:

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Trailer_Hitch_Retrofitting_%281K%29

These are the steps I did, and everything (including TSA) is working perfectly.