Hi all,

 

At the weekend I used the towbar for the first time, the trailer I towed had a 7 pin plug on it, so I used an adapter in the 13pin socket, I noticed that although everything worked as it should, the reversing sensors on the car sensed the trailer when reversing.

 

Should these be disabled when a trailer is plugged in?

If they are, how is this done, is it a link in the plug?

 

I'm wanting to make sure where the problem lies before complaining to the dealer.

Edited 9 June, 201412 yr by Miz

On my Yeti the reversing sensors were disabled with the trailer attached. Might be worth going back to whoever fitted/wired you tow bar electrics to ask them to check it

I have experienced the same issue. It is a lack of coding to tell the car it has a towbar which should be done at the time of fitting. A simple fix with VCDS but a trip to the dealer unfortunately.

When I am towing my rear sensors are disabled and on the screen it shows (the front of) a trailer instead of the normal distance bars

Sounds like the car needs coding. Should also disable rear fog lights on the car when trailer plugged in.

Thanks for the replies, the car is leased, the dealer is in London and I'm in Derby.

Does anyone know how the car "senses" that it has a trailer attached? Only way I can think is a link in the plug, but I cannot find any reference to that on any instructions for wiring the plug.

It could register with either a switch in the plug itself, or via current draw from any one of the lights?

It could register with either a switch in the plug itself, or via current draw from any one of the lights?

Mmm, that could be a reason, the trailer light board does not have a reversing light on it, so car would not "see" the trailer during reversing, apart from with the sensors.

Thanks for the replies, the car is leased, the dealer is in London and I'm in Derby.

Does anyone know how the car "senses" that it has a trailer attached? Only way I can think is a link in the plug, but I cannot find any reference to that on any instructions for wiring the plug.

I think any dealer can do this work for you and invoice SUK, coding is a part of the car and not a part of the towbar work, phone SUK and ask.

If you had Lane Assist that would be failing as well, as that needs coding for a towbar as Nipani & I found out!

I think any dealer can do this work for you and invoice SUK, coding is a part of the car and not a part of the towbar work, phone SUK and ask.

It's a bit of both TBH - whoever fits the towbar should make the coding changes necessary so the car knows it's there as they are changing the car (albeit slightly).  Mine is (as with many others I gather) being fitted by the dealer (at PDI) so I hope they get it right...if not, I'll be having words with them!  SUK aren't going to pay for a modification to the car SUK (not the dealer, note) supplied.

 

If SUK offered a factory fit towbar in the UK (like some manufacturers do - even VW I think?) then it wouldn't be an issue and we wouldn't get ripped off for "towbar prep" which..well, I don't know what it does as apparently it doesn't include a split charge circuit!

Towbar prep includes the coding needed, but all you need is a friendly Briskodian with VCDS and some beer vouchers!

I too can't understand why Skoda don't offer towbar as option especially when they win tow car awards. AFAIK the full electric wiring kit for split charge is still not in the parts lists even though Westfalia make it!

Towbar prep includes the coding needed, but all you need is a friendly Briskodian with VCDS and some beer vouchers!

I too can't understand why Skoda don't offer towbar as option especially when they win tow car awards. AFAIK the full electric wiring kit for split charge is still not in the parts lists even though Westfalia make it!

That's even more puzzling, mine had towbar prep on the order, and towbar fitted by the dealer before collection...

 

I now need to check the rear fog light and reversing with reversing lights on the trailer, then I'll know whether it works correctly or not.

Here's a screenshot of Amundsen parking sensors with something attached to the towbar (here it is my Thule bike carrier attached)

 

 

The car knows you have the trailer attached by sending a very small current down the wires and checks the current is coming back, if so it goes into "trailer mode" if not then it assumes no trailer attached. If you have a 7 pin plug then you won't have working reverse lights as they rely on a pin in your 12S socket.

 

Ian

Slightly off topic - I noticed that when the trailer electrics are connected it disables ECO mode. I understand why this is, but as I only use mine for a bike rack does anyone know how to change this setting with VCDS?

Slightly off topic - I noticed that when the trailer electrics are connected it disables ECO mode. I understand why this is, but as I only use mine for a bike rack does anyone know how to change this setting with VCDS?

Can you create your own ECO mode and switch to that instead?

 

Here's a screenshot of Amundsen parking sensors with something attached to the towbar (here it is my Thule bike carrier attached)

 

 

 

 

Hi, does your bike carrier have a 13 pin plug? and does it have reversing lights fitted to it?

Hi, does your bike carrier have a 13 pin plug? and does it have reversing lights fitted to it?

It had a 7 pin from factory, but I have changed it to 13 pin (Jäger layout) as my last 3 cars have been VAG.

It has no reversing lights or fog lights.

My caravan has 13 pin with reversing light which works fine.

I am not sure who fitted my removable towbar. It looks somewhat factory like: all electronics seem to be coded and the removable towbar fits in a special "cutting" below the boot floor, but the cut-out below the rear bumper looks a bit sloppy

Can you create your own ECO mode and switch to that instead?

Yes I can! Great idea, thanks. Don't know why I didn't think of that...