Im new to Skoda cars and im sure theres gonna be some naive questions from me in the next few weeks/months !!!!

I have just bought a 62 plate 1.6 diesel Yeti and im looking to get a towbar fitted in the next few weeks (at the local towbar fitter/mechanic)

I wont be towing a caravan , just a bike trailer a few times a year. Ive done a bit of research on here but have a few more queries.

 

A few questions . . .

 

How do I know if my particular car is "towbar prepped" ? (Can i tell from the year or even the registration !??)

 

It looks like Skoda sell a purpose made "Cover/Frame" to cover the hole when the (detachable) towball isnt in use. Can this be fitted after my towbar has been fitted OR does it need to be fitted at the same time as the towbar installation ??

 

Thanks all

Without checking the brochure I think that tow bar preparation was an option with another being having the tow bar fitted during the factory build.

 

Unless you have a dealer print out of the specification when new (unlikely) you won't know. You could possibly get it from the original supplying dealer but why bother?

 

Take it to the tow bar company etc. and it is up to them to find out and price the job accordingly.

 

Reminds me I must get a quote for mine!

 

As regards the cover/flap this comes as part of the kit. Really needs to be fitted at the time of installation as the bumper has to be cut to facilitate the fitting of the tow bar. The price you get should cover all of this.

Edited 23 January, 201610 yr by VAGCF

Vehicle codes ticket (should be in the Service book and under the boot floor) shows factory prep 'Trailer hitch preparation' code 1D7- first line of grid here: 

 

24 Jan:  The query marked in red above - it's actually 'R'.  The decoder says '8RN = Sound package (brand sound)' 

Edited 24 January, 201610 yr by Brijo

Nice one Brijo. Is there a list somewhere for referencing what the codes mean? I've got a lot less than yours!

 

Just checked the brochure for mine, 2016 MY, and it doesn't offer tow bar preparation, just the complete tow bar.

 

I would have had one factory fitted but I got my car from stock.

Edited 23 January, 201610 yr by VAGCF

Vehicle codes ticket (should be in the Service book and under the boot floor) shows factory prep 'Trailer hitch preparation' code 1D7- first line of grid here: 

My L&K only has a list of generic options re brakes and other stuff. Nothing that relates to options I chose. I'll have to check under the boot floor.

Without taking the car apart, Brrijo's method is the best.

However, a clue can be taken if you have the cutout in the rear bumper for a towbar as this was part of towbar prep. Also two large fans on the radiator (as opposed to one big and one smaller) also gives you a clue.

The cutout could be left if the previous owner had a towbar fitted to a vehicle that did not have prep; hence it is only a clue. The larger fans were only fitted to cars with towbars or prep from factory AFAIK.

There is an online tool for understanding the codes, Google 'VW code converter' and you should find it. There is one linked to in various threads on here.

I had a mobile tow bar fitter fit mine, it is a Witter not a Westphalia

and the horizontal towball centreline is exactly right for my caravan

and it sits level. The other towbar seem to be a little high by comparison.

Decoder

Thank you.

If it has towbar prep then the frame/cover will already be there. Also, there will be a load of fuses in the fusebox that are only for towing.

If you have a removable towbar fitted then you don't have to have the frame/cover, but you do have to have a hole cut in the bumper in order to use the towbar, so it makes sense to get the hole cut to the right dimensions for the frame/cover, which comes with a template for cutting, so may as well just fit it at the time of the work.

Ive seen Yeti's that have the cutout but don't have a towbar (because the owner had it removed prior to seeing the car). Hence why I said it is only a guide.

 

The fans are a big clue - fuses will probably be removed if the towbar is removed properly.

 

The decoding of the codes on the spec sheet will tell you as stated above. This will be in the boot area and/or in the front of your service book.

Going back to the Build Codes, briefly, see TP's thread way back when:

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/144398-yeti-se-vehicle-data-codes/?p=1852975&hl=buid%20codes&fromsearch=1#entry1852975

 

Note that the 'official list' link is obsolete. 

If you are going the detachable route, I would have the cover fitted at the same time as the towbar as you will have to have the bumper removed again to have the cover fitted, it needs to to have the frame fitted from the inside, unfortunately a lot of the tow bar fitters won't be able to do the cover as they won't have the equipment. I have used a company called Phil Taylor towbars, they have the expertise and equipment to fit a tow bar and the cover, coded to your car as well. A bit of a trek for you but it will give you an idea.

Ian.

It's possible to fit the frame yourself if you are handy with a drill and saw.

I removed my bumper and separated the diffuser to take to the dealer to cut in the belief they had a device for cutting it out. I wish I hadn't as it was bodged!

Have a look at the relevant bit of my project thread: 

I've recovered it now, but took as much effort as if I had done it myself.

Fitting the frame is easy. Just triple check which way round it goes as it is not the intuitive way until you stop and think about it. Then it makes perfect sense.

Edited 24 January, 201610 yr by KBPhoto

My fitter cut the the slot out with a stanley knife......with absolute accuracy.

 

I fitted the frame myself....afterwards as I ordered the cover expecting it to be the only thing I needed.....no.... the frame is a separate part but quite poorly my dealer people didn't think to add it etc

 

You can remove the defuser (ie the silver part) without taking off the whole bumper....a screw at each end....and pull the plastic poppers carefully. To be honest I reckon its quicker and easier to take off the unit as a whole....needs a helper though to steady it.