The time has come to get a towbar fitted to the new Scout.

I've decided on Westfalia dedicated electrics with a 13 pin socket and a Westfalia fixed swan neck. The fixed version as I never removed the detachable unit on the old car and most seem to have no issues with reverse sensors.

So the big question is self fit or pay someone. Having downloaded the pdfs the bar doesn't look too bad. Just dropping the bumper but the electrics are certainly trickier as there is no towbar prep.

Anyone have any tips or advice. It's a lease car so should I bite the bullet and pay or merrily get the jigsaw out and chop my bumper up?!

All help gratefully received

As far as I understand, you will need a wiring kit which doesn't simply connect to the rest of the loom nearby, but has to be run back through the car (to the fusebox I assume). I believe it is around £100. The detachable tow bar is around the £200 mark. I have been quoted over £560 by dealers to include the reprogramming of electrics. I'm still wondering whether it's worth it, for an occasional bit of towing when I have use of another car with tow bar (that cost £110 to supply and fit last year!)

 

Rob

Thanks Rob, this is our main car now and we tow a caravan so I need something fitted one way or another.

 

Having looked at the pdfs Ive come to the same conclusion that the wiring needs running along the car. I fitted the electrics to my Vectra myself and it was 2 sockets and the earth. Really straightforward.

 

The instructions show putting wires into the BCM. To be honest, although Im handy with the spanners and will have a bash at most things, I doubt this is a bit much...

As an aside Ive been quoted £560 fitted and coded on the drive at home by PF Jones but my dealer has put me in touch with some who I will contact in the morning.

 

Its the fact of paying £250 to someone to do a job I could mainly do myself is what is stopping me really

The O3 has in addition to the parking sensors has a towing stability mode which does loads I'm sure (never bothered to look it all up in manual)

 

Having towed a twin axle 22' car trailer with a Mk2 Astra on it, as well a + 600Kg of paving slabs, I assure you whatever the towing stability mode its well worth having so, do ensure your man can and does do all the coding correctly.

 

In addition, do ensure the wiring loom you're getting does the Leisure charging circuit as earlier looms didn't.

It's our main car too but we usually need the trailer for camping (tents not caravan) with the 2CV which is why I have a towbar on that. It would be nice to have it on the modern one for gigs as although the octavia estate is large it's not large enough for a double bass, various guitars, PA and back seat passengers! I will probbaly only use the skoda for towing a couple of times per year so £560 is a bit steep!

 

Rob

Edited 30 July, 201510 yr by 2cvhound

Yes I've checked it will be fully coded so that's another plus for phones really. And done on the drive.

The loom I will be ordering is a June 14 onwards so should have the split charge.

It's not that hard fitting the genuine Skoda kit (or Westfalia variation) to the BCM and the fuseboard.

Follow the instructions and have a VAG terminal removal tool to hand and double check everything.

The hardest part is removing all the interior trim so as not to damage any of it...

I've recently done my Yeti without any issues and would imagine the O3 to be pretty similar to that. Have a look at my thread: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/332469-its-on-my-driveway-detailing-progress/?p=4258155

Wow! Very comprehensive Addict! Thank you. Actually reconsidering now and may well give it a go.

I've got to take it off in 2 years time so it would be great if I could do it myself. All I would need to source then is the coding!

Anyone with VCDS can do the coding in minutes. Something many dealers and fitters seem to struggle with.

Have a look at the VCDS Owners Map on this forum and contact someone local to you. Instructions are on the Ross Tech website.

The instructions for VCDS are on Briskoda http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/326921-vrs-towbar-preperation/

Hi there. Has anyone got an Octavia estate 4x4 (not the Scout) with a tow bar fitted?  I have been to a local Tow bar company today and they have told me there is not a tow bar available yet? They even called a manufacturer (Witter I think) who said they don't have a tow bar for the car yet.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thanks Andy

I have a regular 4x4 with a towbar. Ordered it with the car, so it is a factory fit.

Edited 22 September, 201510 yr by Gromle

Hi there. Has anyone got an Octavia estate 4x4 (not the Scout) with a tow bar fitted?  I have been to a local Tow bar company today and they have told me there is not a tow bar available yet? They even called a manufacturer (Witter I think) who said they don't have a tow bar for the car yet.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thanks Andy

 

Have a look at this ( https://www.westfalia-automotive.com/uk/stockists/ ) where you will find towbars from Westfalia ( same manufacturer that does the OEM tow bars ). Here is also info about available tow bars ( https://www.westfalia-automotive.com/uk/products/product-finder/?manufacturer=373&model=5909&dateofproduction=06%2F14- ) .

 

I hope this will solve some of your questions.

Mine is a Westfalia (Dealer Fit on Purchase - Jan 14) never raised as an issue.

 

Remember the regular 4x4 without the RRP has the same ride height as the 2wd car. I guess no one thought about mine being lifted via the RRP but a 1.7cm lift in ball height is going to get lost pretty quickly amongst a heavy trailer and loaded car anyway!