We have a towbar on our current car which we are selling to make way for a new lease car, a Skoda Octavia Scout.

 

Has anyone fitted a towbar to a Volkswagen Finance owned lease car?

 

I've read it is possible but haven't yet approached VWFS to ask for permission.

 

Just wondered if they would insist on a certain manufacturer of towbar, and one that uses a proper integrated CANBUS wiring kit etc.

 

As we are only leasing the car for two years I'd prefer not to spend a small fortune on a top of the range towbar if I can help it, although I appreciate I'll be able to remove it and sell it on at the end of the lease.

 

Just wondered if anyone had fitted one to their leased car and could offer some pointers...

http://www.car-leasing-guide.com/car-leasing-faqs/

I'm sure someone in the past did this with a Yeti and they insisted on the full Skoda approved kit.

 

And why would you not want the full CanBus towing kit? It works properly, is easy to fit and doesn't potentially cause a problem with a warranty. They has already been one Yeti owner whose lighting control unit burnt-out with a by-pass system. Skoda refused to cover it and it cost him a lot of money to repair.

I spoke to the lease company today, fitting a tow bar is no issue, and I can fit whatever I want.

 

I understand the benefits of a fully integrated CANBUS system but these often demand a significant premium. I have a by-pass system on our current car which has worked faultlessly for the last 8 years we've had the car (£350 back in 2009). The only disadvantage I've noticed is that the parking sensors constantly beep when in reverse and something is on the towbar.

 

Hopefully the properly integrated systems are are more cost effective than they were when I last looked but from a few threads on here they are still in excess of £500.

 

I'll have a shop around next week and see what is available.

Look at North West Towbars, they have a good reputation, are reasonably priced and do the job properly.

Hi there,

We fitted a fixed Westfalia tow bar to our leased Yeti (VWFS) last summer. Fully integrated with CANBUS and fitted by the independent towing specialist that our dealer uses for their 'own' bars. Cost a little over £400 and looks neat - plus it's much cheaper than the equivalent detachable system.

Good luck with yours.

Thanks guys.

 

Will you remove yours before the Yeti goes back PirateSyrett?

 

There are some pictures of the Westfalia fixed swan neck on a MkIII Scout over in the Octavia forum, looks like the bumper will need cutting to fit it to our Scout. Hopefully when VWFS inspect the car on its return the inspector doesn't get down on his hands and knees at the back of the car!

Silver1011,

VWFS give you the choice whether to leave it on or take it off.........but, if we take it off we will have to repair the very neat cut in our rear bumper so we're leaving it on. VWFS are happy for us to leave it on, so the cheapest (most sensible) option was to go fixed especially since we'll be towing this!

Edited 20 March, 201610 yr by PirateSyrett

That fits in with what I've been told, I haven't spoken directly with VWFS, only my broker.

 

His advice was to either take it off completely before returning the car, or have a detachable fitted so that I could leave it on and simply put the removed swan neck in the boot.

 

Sounds like I should speak directly with VWFS and get something in writing.

 

I'd imagine writing off the £345 by leaving the bar on the car will be more cost effective than removing it, selling the tow bar but then having to have the bumper repaired.

 

That is an impressive trailer, even more so when loaded I'd imagine!

 

Mine is lightweight in comparison, this is the old car but I only have a small Erde camping trailer and a four bike rack...

 

 

 

Thanks for all the help.

I've fitted a towbar to a lease car (company car) and we are normally told to use a reputable installer and if necessary to return the vehicle to original specification at end of lease. Previously I've left it on, then becomes a bonus for the lease company and avoids having to remove it and potentially damage the car.

 

 

Look at North West Towbars, they have a good reputation, are reasonably priced and do the job properly.

 

Thanks. Just dropped them a line, looking for a towbar for the Superb.

That makes sense.

 

I just spoke with a girl at VWFS, she had to speak to a 'senior'. When she returned she said I have to use a Skoda retailer to fit the bar. When I said my dealer doesn't fit the bars, they use a third party she was stumped.

 

I wasn't told that the bar had to come off at the end, more that the car has to be in the same condition as when it was given to me i.e. without the towbar.

 

Sounds like a bit of a grey area, with no defined policy.

 

I wasn't sure if leaving the bar on would make a car less attractive i.e. evidence of a hard life towing etc. hence the lease company might prefer it to come off.

When I asked VWFS for permission they sent me this letter which allows me to leave it on or take it off (and repair the bumper - not!)

Edited 21 March, 201610 yr by PirateSyrett

That seems fair to me. 

 

Upon de-lease they are very unlikely to spot a slight bumper cut that far back IMO.

Interesting, thanks for sharing 

 

I would happily leave the towbar on the car, that way I don't have to repair the bumper.

 

I might send them an email asking for their official guidance, I'd like an email similar to yours so I have it in writing that I can return the car with it fitted.

I left the contact details of the VWFS 'authoriser' on the bottom of the letter so you could go direct to someone who knows the score.

Looks like a standard letter so I reckon you'll get an identical reply by return.

Epic bike rack btw.....

This is paddy wagons MkIII Octavia Scout, it seems pretty discreet, it depends if the bloke inspecting the car is looking for it or not I suppose...

 

 

 

Edited 21 March, 201610 yr by silver1011

This is paddy wagons MkIII Octavia Scout, it seems pretty discreet, it depends if the bloke inspecting the car is looking for it or not I suppose...

 

Image 1.jpg

 

Image 2.jpg

 

Image 3.jpg

Is it my PC, or are these picture very small? Any chance they could be made bigger as I want a tow bar fitted to my Scout, when she arrives. Thanks.

If you're still looking for a fitter, I used PDA Car in Harrogate, also from a personal recommendation.

Original photo's in this thread...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/391474-mk-3-scout-towbar/

If you're still looking for a fitter, I used PDA Car in Harrogate, also from a personal recommendation.

 

Thanks Huskoda,

 

I'm having second thoughts, the £350 - £400 spent on a towbar fitted to a lease car is quite a chunk.

 

I need to work out if between our tow bar mounted bike rack and summer holiday camping trailer it is going to justify the outlay over the 24 month lease period.

 

One disadvantage of a lease car I guess. It is effectively adding £17 / month to the lease. Considering all the effort I went to in order to get the deal down from £220 to £200 / month every pound counts 

Will the trailer be for sale if you don't?

It is taking up some significant space in the garage, it's literally done a few hundred miles since new. It is the wife's decision, if we go camping this summer or not 

 

Silver 1011,

It's worth it if you're going to use it - if in doubt try to take less or consider a roof box.

As you know from our earlier conversation we've gone the other way!

Edited 26 April, 201610 yr by PirateSyrett

That makes my trailer look a bit inadequate   

Just to keep this thread up to date.

 

Skoda (Volkswagen Financial Services Ltd) are a member of the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) and as such agree to abide by the 'Industry Fair Wear & Tear Standard'.

 

I've just had my booklet through the post and found this:

 

Tow bars

 

Tow bars must only be fitted with approval from the leasing company. If fitted, a tow bar must be in good, rust-free condition, with electrical connections that work properly. A ball cover must be in place.

 

Gaining approval from Skoda to have a tow bar fitted was easy, getting them to tell me how this affected the return of the vehicle was the issue. I got a different answer each time I spoke with them.

 

I now have the answer from the BVRLA.

 

So for anyone contemplating fitting a tow bar to their PCH (leased) Skoda UK car this is worthy of note:

 

• Use a franchised main dealer to fit the tow bar, or the local fitter they sub-contract the work out to.
• Have a proper wiring kit fitted, one that integrates into the cars electrical system (CANBUS), not one that is cut or spliced into the existing wiring. These are now widely available.
• No mention of preferred manufacturers of the tow bar, but Westfalia have been the OEM choice in the past (if not still today).
• If the bumper needs to be cut that is OK, but if you plan to remove the tow bar before returning the vehicle you will need to return the bumper back to it's original condition.
• Alternatively you can leave the tow bar on the car when it is returned as long as you adhere to the BVRLA guidelines above.

Good luck!