Had my brand new Superb for a few weeks now and it is awesome- Tdi 4x4 Estate elegance with loads of extras- powered boot, ventilated seats, heated rear seats, heated nozzels, MDI and running on 16'' steels with winter tyres and alloys/ summer tyre in wheel bags in the garage.

 

I took a car from stock rather than wait for factory order although that would have got me black rather than the petrol blue it was but also it meant I didn't get to order 'tow bar prep'

 

I seems from the manual the Skoda towbar is removable, what's the best plan- to get a retrofit from non skoda specialist or can I have the removable one added or have I missed the boat not getting factory fit (i.e. the rear bumper/ underskirt doesn't have a hatch to open to expose the socket/ electric like on my Land Rover money pit)

 

who else has got this sorted after delivery?

 

thanks!

 

 

Tow bar prep just means that they run the wires from the dashboard fuse box to the back of the car for the wiring to connect into, which just means that whoever fits the electrics doesn't have to take lots of interior trims off to run cables. General opinion is that it's a waste of money.

When I did mine I bought the OEM detachable towbar and the full wiring kit, fitted it all myself and just got my friend (a VAG technician) to connect into the fuse box under the dash and do the coding with the diagnostic computer.

Depends if you are handy with spanners but fitting the towbar is pretty straight forward. Alternatively just get a local towbar fitter to do it all for you. Main dealers are best avoided as they generally charge you the earth but farm the job out to a local towbar specialist anyway.

I have an Octavia, but the theory is the same, Westfalia make the oem bar for skoda, although I had a witter detachable towbar fitted by a local independent. I did however invest in having him fit a dedicated wiring kit and coding it to the car. In my opinion it's the safest way to add wiring and also gives the advantages of activating the trailer stability control, disabling the reverse sensors etc.

My dealer advised me as i wanted charging  and fridge  relay as well, that it  actually states in brochure Do not have towbar prep. So i had the detachable towbar and wiring fitted by dealer, all good even shows a trailer connected on the parking sensors screen now on columbus..  Mine is the westfalia vertical insert removable with flip down 13 pin electrics so when removed not noticeable at all.

Like Blackray, i wanted it all coded so trailer stability all works, as car and van is worth about 50K i thought spending just over 1% on an extra safety measure seemed a good idea.

 

Extract from brochure below for factory fitted options

 

Towbar preparation* - * Provides a single electrics solution - unsuitable for split charging

Edited 4 February, 201412 yr by HoneyMonster65

I have an Octavia, but the theory is the same, Westfalia make the oem bar for skoda,

That is NOT true. The original tow bar is made by the Czech company Prof Svar. Their tow bars can be easily distinguished from the Westfalia ones, because the detachable part of Prof Svar is removed by operating a large lever, while Westfalia uses a round knob.

I have a Towtrust detachable bar, with 13 pin plug and integrated electrics, fitted locally by the specialist that seems to fit towbars for all the local dealers.

 

I tow a 2012 Pastiche 520 that weighs 1550kg laden, according to the Council weigh-bridge.  I have a 2WD 170TDi DSG.  No problems at all with the matching, performance or handling, but it needs stiffer rear springs (I miss the air suspension my Merc had).  

 

See me featured as star letter in the March 2014 issue of Practical Caravan.  It isn't a bad picture bad car and 'van.

That is NOT true. The original tow bar is made by the Czech company Prof Svar. Their tow bars can be easily distinguished from the Westfalia ones, because the detachable part of Prof Svar is removed by operating a large lever, while Westfalia uses a round knob.

No need to shout :-) I was given that information by a Skoda franchised dealer so was repeating in good faith and trying to be of help.

My dealer advised me as i wanted charging  and fridge  relay as well, that it  actually states in brochure Do not have towbar prep. So i had the detachable towbar and wiring fitted by dealer, all good even shows a trailer connected on the parking sensors screen now on columbus..  Mine is the westfalia vertical insert removable with flip down 13 pin electrics so when removed not noticeable at all.

Like Blackray, i wanted it all coded so trailer stability all works, as car and van is worth about 50K i thought spending just over 1% on an extra safety measure seemed a good idea.

 

Extract from brochure below for factory fitted options

 

Towbar preparation* - * Provides a single electrics solution - unsuitable for split charging

pictures please???? on and off if possible?how do you like the car honey monster?

Hi p5stokes.

 

Right apologies for picture quality as moved house and havent found box with main camera so taken by phone  .

Also weather not so good so not staying out too long.

As to car loving it just came from a 2012 Vauxhall Antara 4x4 184ps auto which was only giving me 26mpg solo and 20 mpg towing. Ok the superb a little more awkward to get in and out of being war pensioner lol seems strange saying that at 48 .   but the comfort once in far greater and fuel economy, as you can see from previous vehicle more than happy with 48 i am already getting indicated. Anyyway back on topic here are the pics of dealer fit detachable westfalia towbar.

Hi p5stokes.

 

Right apologies for picture quality as moved house and havent found box with main camera so taken by phone  .

Also weather not so good so not staying out too long.

As to car loving it just came from a 2012 Vauxhall Antara 4x4 184ps auto which was only giving me 26mpg solo and 20 mpg towing. Ok the superb a little more awkward to get in and out of being war pensioner lol seems strange saying that at 48 .   but the comfort once in far greater and fuel economy, as you can see from previous vehicle more than happy with 48 i am already getting indicated. Anyyway back on topic here are the pics of dealer fit detachable westfalia towbar.

20140205_112845.jpg20140205_112908.jpg20140205_112959.jpg20140205_113044.jpg20140205_113059.jpg20140205_113154.jpg20140205_113219. net job, thanks much appreciated. paul

I've a removable Witter towbar on mine. I never had any intentions of towing when I bought the car and then we bought a folding camper a couple of months later!

I took the car to Rotherham Towbar Centre who supplied and fitted it and coded the car to be trailer aware. They cut out the bumper and the electrics hinge down.

My towbar, though removable, is of the traditional flanged variety rather than a swan-neck.

One word of advice though - when the bumper was refitted it was slightly mis-aligned. It wasn't obvious until the paint chipped at the bottom of the rear door after catching it every time it shut. I took it back and they adjusted the bumper (some 18 months later so happy with the aftersales) and a spot of touch-up paint will sort the chip.

brill advice, many thanks sorry for slow reply- don't seem to have email alerts set up for my replies.

 

How much have you all paid for after market specialists to fit removable bar including programming to kill the parking sensor and stability? I need it for a tow bar bike rack so don't need double electrics but may as well do it right as the next owner might be a caravan owner.

 

Is £500 ball  park?

Mine was £599 all-in (supply, fitting, programming)

 

Forgot to mention - that was for a single socket 13 pin electrics.

Edited 9 February, 201412 yr by unclerichy

I paid 380 inc VAT... all fitted coded, twin electrics, detachable, actually fitted 13pin, and supplied twin 7 pin adaptor which I asked for (included in price), shouldn't have bothered as have never used the 13pin, only the twins for all my items, towed Twin motorbike trailer, caravans and tip trailers (the Small ones, which are a pain as you can't see them).

 

Incidentally got over 33mpg towing in my 140bhp elegance a 1326kg fully laden caravan single axel, car fully loaded.

 

Local guy (Coventry/nuneaton), great service, done outside work, detachable, lockable, etc.

 

Can see trailer on my screen, and parking sensors disabled.

 

Great price compared to £800 I was quoted from some garages.

 

Towed fine although I have nothing to compare too as its my first towing experience, plenty of power, and composed

 

My next car will be 4x4 superb, as I was nervous on grass slippy hills with FWD, plus its usless in the snow practically.

Edited 11 February, 201511 yr by MarkyB77

I got the OEM towbar fitted when I bought my car as part of the deal to buy it. It went back in a few months later for a €300 module to be replaced as the rear parking sensors didn't switch off, nor did the reverse sensor display show a trailer fitted, so I'm guessing the ESP also didn't know there was a trailer. Once the module was changed the car came back with a 13 pin plug and an adaptor to convert to 7 pin. I've no idea if this means I got split charging too as the only trailers I've used need lights only. It was all done on the warranty anyway, so it only cost me my time driving there and back. The reason I know the cost of this is because this is what a friend of mine was quoted to upgrade the OEM towbar setup on his brand new car so it would work correctly.

 

The removable OEM towbar can be stored under the jack in the polystyrene block in the middle of the spare tyre when you remove it, but I leave mine on all the time. The electrics fold up behind the bumper, so with the towbar off there's no sign the car has one at all unless you have a good look under the bumper.

I paid 380 inc VAT... all fitted coded, twin electrics, detachable, actually fitted 13pin, and supplied twin 7 pin adaptor which I asked for (included in price), shouldn't have bothered as have never used the 13pin, only the twins for all my items, towed Twin motorbike trailer, caravans and tip trailers (the Small ones, which are a pain as you can't see them).

 

Incidentally got over 33mpg towing in my 140bhp elegance a 1326kg fully laden caravan single axel, car fully loaded.

 

Local guy (Coventry/nuneaton), great service, done outside work, detachable, lockable, etc.

 

Can see trailer on my screen, and parking sensors disabled.

 

Great price compared to £800 I was quoted from some garages.

 

Towed fine although I have nothing to compare too as its my first towing experience, plenty of power, and composed

 

My next car will be 4x4 superb, as I was nervous on grass slippy hills with FWD, plus its usless in the snow practic

Edited 11 February, 201511 yr by kippa

Taking a jump to where you live from your site login name, I have just had the witter detachable fitted to my 2014 superb estate along with a 'rightconnections' dedicated wiring kit allcoded in and it is superb. The company I have used for my last 3 or 4 towbars and I can't recommend highly enough is Mobile Towbar Services in Beighton. They are an excellent company and fit where ever you want it fitting. home work or where ever.

MarkyB77, that seems like a really good deal, nearly £200 less than I've found locally in Sussex. Are you allowed/would you be willing to share who the installer was?

 

Thanks a lot,

Ian

MarkyB77, that seems like a really good deal, nearly £200 less than I've found locally in Sussex. Are you allowed/would you be willing to share who the installer was?

 

Thanks a lot,

Ian

The guy which I hope he doesn't mind me posting here was JW Towbars -  John 07887960085, based in nuneaton, and drove all the way to Redditch to install, and did it in the car park while I was working away upstairs. Great job, no problems. I got a dedicated wiring kit installed included in the price, tidy install, detachable, lockable, with a bag for the towbar when removed, and ball cover, has to sand off the paint off the ball, but thats normal if you use a stabiliser else it clogs it up, he also threw in the 7 pin adaptor to 13 pin as mentioned above, in terms of cost nothing else comes close.