Might be worth contacting PF Jones to see if they have a recommended fitter nearer you.

They fitted the Westfalia (Skoda approved) one to my Yeti as the supplying dealer had never fitted one & said PFJ are the experts. Even then mine was the first one PFJ had fitted to a Yeti.

 

You need to consider whether you want 7 pin or the new standard 13 pin electrics. Adaptors are available to convert between them so it's not the end of the world, but all new trailers/caravans now have to have the 13 pin version.

 

The Westfalia ball height is slightly higher than Witter, but Westfalia is neater. If the Westfalia detachable "hook" is too high for your trailer, you can substitute a Tiguan hook for the Yeti one. The mounting is identical.

There's plenty of advice on the forum about towbars. See previous threads on this topic.

 

Good luck!

We tried PF Jones yesterday. There nearest fitting place is 50 miles away and they quoted £620 but i still needed to buy the bumper hatch and fitting tool for around £100.

 

You get what you pay for. From memory the factory fit is c£450

Just remember there are also warranty issues to consider if the car is less than 3 years old

You might think of saving a couple of hundred quid is a good idea now until the Skoda service manager looks a you an says sorry pal, you're on your own.

The problem I found with third party fitters is you have to keep a close eye on them. I'm not sure what the dealer mark up on parts is, but I have my doubts about cheap quotes unless you are in the same lodge

I gave up with my last car and fitted the damn thing myself-I figured if there is an issue I am the only one to blame -so I better get it right!

So when you get a quote make sure you're comparing like with like. I would say anything around £550 using genuine parts--snatch their hand off!

I've got another quote from a different Skoda dealer for £690 all in, so i think i will go for this and combine it with the first service.

thanks for all the input. and if anyone finds any cheaper please let us know.

 

thanks

Clouds aside, I'm wondering why yours are so much more exy?

probably a number of factors, the main one being the price of things in the UK compared to anywhere else!

probably a number of factors, the main one being the price of things in the UK compared to anywhere else!

Could also be different (stricter) rules for testing tow bars in the EU.

probably a number of factors, the main one being the price of things in the UK compared to anywhere else!

Which is the complete opposite of what we used to have to pay.......of course this one didn't have to come from Europe.

I had to pay (cash) ~ £ 600 for the supply, paint and fit of a new rear bumper assembly on account of me forgetfully reversing with the trailer and jacknifing ....oh dear! Thought that wasn't too exy seeing THAT was imported.

According to the F/L handbook, if you have a tow bracket fitted, then the rear towing eye disappears - presumably it is part of the original crash bar/bracket.

So, if you remove the towing bracket, a crash bar/bracket needs to be refitted otherwise there would be no rear towing eye, and presumably, the integrity of the rear of the car is compromised in the event of an accident.

 

Although Westfalia's fitting instructions tell the fitter to dispose of the crash bar/bracket when fitting the tow bar, I feel that it should be handed to the vehicle owner so that it could be refitted at a later date. On the other hand, when the removable hook isn't in place, the rear of the car is so neat (assuming the lower bumper cover plate is in place) that I suspect the value of the car isn't affected because the majority of people won't realise the car is fitted with a tow bar anyway.

Its not a Yeti, but this was the case with my car. Lost the towing eye when the crashbar was replaced with the towbar. I bought a load rated D shackle that fits around the neck of the towbar but wont fit over the ball so I would have something secure to attach to at the rear if I needed to.

 

I also got the original crashbar from the fitter so if I want to take it off later I can.

Nah.

I thought it was a bit 'previous' (D) of them to dispose of it though.

I still have the cut out bit for mine. I was impressed how neatly it was cut using a Stanley knife. It may be that the cut out piece was destroyed if the fitter used a jigsaw or a nibbler to sacrifice the waste to get a neat cut.

On the subject of crash bars I have built up quite a collection over the years and I'm sure other 'towers' could join up with their crash bars to create a magnificent exhibition......perhaps in a large hall in the NEC. Or am I being facetious...........

Is that common to all 'bars'?

 

On a Yeti, yes.

Behind the bumper is a steel "crash" bar and that has to be removed so that a tow bar can be fitted. 

if you order a factory fitted tow bar then obviously the replacement is fitted on the production line, but if one is retro-fitted then a good dealer should offer you the old bar back. It appears many don't!

It is becoming common on lots of cars now.

You'd think one manufacturer would make provision in the bar for attaching the other components that make up the complete install.

They can make a car that auto parks but not an adaptable bar.....odd.

Not wishing to hijack the thread,

13 pin v 7 pin

Are the 6 extra pins for trailer/caravan stability control?

Not all of them as the idea is to combine all the connections ot the two 7pin sockets but yes additional pins are used to activate ATC.

This is quite useful despite being from Fleabay!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/Trailer-plug-guide-and-wiring-diagrams-/10000000002022212/g.html

or more comprehensive;

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/1022790/towbar-wiring-mo.pdf

Hope these help and don't add to the confusion.

As an aside the 13p plug and socket is a much better design,more water resistant and it locks into place.

 

Fred

Its not a Yeti, but this was the case with my car. Lost the towing eye when the crashbar was replaced with the towbar. I bought a load rated D shackle that fits around the neck of the towbar but wont fit over the ball so I would have something secure to attach to at the rear if I needed to.

 

I also got the original crashbar from the fitter so if I want to take it off later I can.

Are you sure you've lost your towing eye? 

Oops, read it again and thought you meant the means of attaching the breakaway cable!

Anyway I thought that, but when I got down on my hands and knees (not an everyday happening for me nowadays!) I discovered that mine has an "eye" plate attached to the  opposite side of the towbar mounting to the 13 pin socket that the breakaway cable fits to.  

 

Fred

I've got the towing eye itself, just nowhere to screw it into at the rear I opened the flap on the bumper and there's just the solid tow bar. I have an eye for the breakaway cable too, as expected, but its not something you can use to recover the vehicle, which is why I went for the shackle over the tow hook.