Go my towbar fitted at my local dealer. They did it themself, the full works dedicated electrics, detachable Westfalia and the coding etc. They did a very good job although it had to go back as the sensors were sounding when reversing with the caravan. Now fixed.

Whent on my first caravaning trip and got 36.4 mpg( on the maxdot) for the 210 mile trip Livingston to Dornoch. Well pleased with that.

Bob

I paid £520 +VAT to have the SKoda towbar fitted by the dealer prior to taking delivery on a towbar prepped vehicle.

I paid £520 +VAT to have the SKoda towbar fitted by the dealer prior to taking delivery on a towbar prepped vehicle.

What are the implications on having a towbar fitted without the factory "towbar prep", or in other words what does that option include and can it be dealer fitted?

Edited 22 August, 201213 yr by Truthseeker

Tow bar prep basically includes:

the cut-out in the rear bumper, with the removable bit.

the wiring from the front to the back of the car

an extra fan for the radiator

Of those, the first two can be retro fitted by a dealer. The last can't.

Many thanks. Only going to tow a very small caravan (800kg unladen) and not planning any long trips abroad in hot weather. As my Yeti is a manual I expect extra fan won't be necessary, as from my past experience of towing, the extra cooling for water (and sometimes oil) was desirable only on automatics. Any overheating issues form other member when towing without the extra fan? Finally, any recommendations on correct fitting/price in the Bedfordshire/Buckinghamshire area?

My Yeti 170 TDi Elegance did not have tow bar prep but has two fans behind the radiator, do they add a third fan in front of the radiator in the tow bar prep package? I've towed a car trailer close to the max allowed weight a few times this summer, I did not have any overheating problems.

Thanks for that info - I suppose the "extra" fan is a belt and braces issue to cover themselves.

As my Yeti is a manual I expect extra fan won't be necessary, as from my past experience of towing, the extra cooling for water (and sometimes oil) was desirable only on automatics.

You are referring to an oil cooler fitted to the automatic gearbox, to cool the ATF (automatic transmission fluid). The extra cooling on the Yeti is for the engine coolant. These days cars are being fitted with increased engine covers and reduced airspace around the engine to manage engine packaging and aerodynamics; this limits the ambient cooling effect and pushes cooling towards the critical point, so additional cooling will always be nice to have.

My Yeti 170 TDi Elegance did not have tow bar prep but has two fans behind the radiator, do they add a third fan in front of the radiator in the tow bar prep package?

Mine (see signature) has two fans behind the radiator and none in front. The nearside fan is significantly larger than the offside one.

Hi, I've got a 110 bhp like you. I have done about 500 miles towing the caravan (1200 kg laden) with no problems. I got my local dealer to fit it and it was very expensive but everything works as it should. I got a detachable towbar because i was told it would set off the parking sensors. It did in fact not activate the sensors so I could have saved some money there.

Bob

I got a detachable towbar because i was told it would set off the parking sensors. It did in fact not activate the sensors so I could have saved some money there.

You just have to remember that you havent got the extra foot after the parking sensors go red and give a continuous beep when the towbar is mounted as I found out last week

The wall and car survived

I have been shopping around for quotes to fit a hitch to "Not" when it arrives.

My local "man in a van" quoted £500 for an OEM (Witter) detachable and he knew all about the programming - even emailed me the fitting instructions!.

Then I spoke to my dealer (Lookers Stockport) who has quoted £318 inc VAT for a single electrics or £354 inc for double electrics and detachable hitch.

They sub contract the work out to North West Towbars who are the same people that RickT used further up this thread.

Might give them a call nearer the time to see if they can do me a deal on a bike carrier..

So this has been added to my PDi list!

Yes Vegit8 you are correct,

and I'm pleased with NWT's workmanship.

Your location says Dorset so I am surprised stockport is your local dealer You will have to explain that one to me!

Yes Vegit8 you are correct,

and I'm pleased with NWT's workmanship.

Your location says Dorset so I am surprised stockport is your local dealer You will have to explain that one to me!

You are correct, Lookers are my dealer, but not local, by any stretch!

My 2 nearest dealers were both unprepared to budge an inch on the book price, so I shopped around and ended up in Stockport.

Looking forward to the long drive home at the end of October.