I really must get it sorted now as it's holding me up from doing further DIY around the house!

 

Asked for a quote from Motabars in Leamington, who are local to me, for a removable Westfalia with single electrics. I understand that they supply to VAG and I had one fitted to a previous Passat estate.

 

As well as that, they have given me a price for a Towtrust towbar which they say they fit for the Skoda dealers for £50 less.

 

Not worried about the price difference just want to get the best really. I've Googled Towtrust and they sound like a quality product and are fairly local and it would be good to support them.

 

Anyone had any experience of Towtrust?

 

I've just asked for single electrics (7 pin) as I generally only tow a trailer (a proper Ifor Williams one!) for domestic use and my trail bike now and then but is there any mileage in going for the 13 pin electrics whilst I'm at it?

 

Finally, what's involved in the wiring - I don't have towbar preparation? Just thinking I'll take the rear seats out before I take it in.

 

Thanks, Chris

I had a Witter towbar fitted on my old Yeti and the AlKo towball height was spot on,

my FL Yeti again has a Witter with a fixed AlKo ball. Both had full 13 Pin electrics.

The latest one cost me £254 fitted. The mobile fitter installed it at Bath Platinum

Skoda Dealers before I took delivery.

Edited 5 April, 201610 yr by gumdrop

Personally I'd go for the Westphalia as that is what Skoda fit. It is a removable one so you will need the kit for the hole in the silver part of the rear bumper.

 

As you say, you only need basic electrics, but I would still go for the modern 13 pin plug and socket; they are more secure and seem to suffer from less corrosion problems.

 

If you have no "tow bar prep" then the proper wiring loom will be required from the front of the car to the back, so taking the seats out is probably a good idea.

Do make sure that who-ever does the job they also have the correct computer system to reprogramme the car, and they know how to do it. Not getting it done WILL cause problems.

 

EDIT

Witter have a good reputation.

Edited 5 April, 201610 yr by Llanigraham

I had the factory fitted Westphalia on Yeti 2 for the bike rack, its removable and easy to fit, only issue is getting the bumper cover off, I can see in time the plastic clips weakening and snapping.

Thanks for the replies.

 

Westphalia was my first choice and I wouldn't have considered any others if they hadn't put the other option forward so I will probably stick with that. 

 

You'd think that with a car like the Yeti they'd put the towbar prep. in as standard as having to run the electrics to the front is a pain. If I hadn't bought from stock (got the closest to the spec. I wanted) I would have had the factory fit towbar.

 

Pity about the bumper cover - on my Passat it was held by a turn-screw which is a better idea.

The frame on mine is more than 5 years old and has seemed to cope,

That's good to hear. I won't be using it that often anyway.

I'm going to give the Tow-Trust option a look as it doesn't need the bumper cut-out.

 

Had an e-mail off the fitters yesterday to say they had two more Yetis in from the dealers having them fitted so they obviously know the Yeti well and sound like they are the local dealers preferred fitters.

 

Will give them a ring to see if anymore are booked in so I can have a look first.

Can I add a word of caution?

If it doesn't need a bumper cut-out then part of the mounting is going to be below the bumper, which will reduce the ground clearance at the rear. It would be something that would concern me.

Graham - They will still have one of the cars at the workshop tomorrow so I'm going to pop in and have a look before I make a final decision.

 

Looking at the fitting instructions on the Tow-Trust web-site it says that they do cut the bumper!

Graham - They will still have one of the cars at the workshop tomorrow so I'm going to pop in and have a look before I make a final decision.

 

Looking at the fitting instructions on the Tow-Trust web-site it says that they do cut the bumper!

I'm confused. The three types of bar fitted in the link below say "visible bumper cut". Am I on the correct website?

http://www.tow-trust.co.uk/towbars/skoda/yeti

 

Colin

Graham - They will still have one of the cars at the workshop tomorrow so I'm going to pop in and have a look before I make a final decision.

 

Looking at the fitting instructions on the Tow-Trust web-site it says that they do cut the bumper!

  I can't see how else they would do it!  Putting it under the bumper would be a huge and complicated bodge and would look awful.  I suspect someone somewhere has got wires crossed.

 

The bumper hole and frame, if done properly, looks very tidy and is barely visible from behind.  I'd echo Graham' note on the durability too - it certainly is a snug fit getting the cover plate off and on again, but the plastic looks well up to the task of dealing with it and is pretty flexible.

 

Make sure you get the bumper cross-member back - this crash structure has to be removed to fit the towbar (which takes over its job) but is worth having in case you want to remove the towbar in future.

I have a Westfallia fixed fitted, supplied by p f jones complete with loom etc fitted at my place in uk by their recommended fitter, ok accept its permanent but I cut a 50 x 50mm square out of the silver lower panel left off by the fitter, i then refitted the panel, I can get pics if reqd!

I'm confused. The three types of bar fitted in the link below say "visible bumper cut". Am I on the correct website?

http://www.tow-trust.co.uk/towbars/skoda/yeti

 

Colin

Yeah, that's the one.

 

The whole question started when they quoted for the Westfalia and said that in addition to their price there would be the cost of the Skoda cover, fair enough.

 

So I then asked them if anything was required for the Tow-Trust one and they said no and no mention of having to cut the bumper.

 

I'm guessing that they will cut a little out of the bottom of the bumper.

 

As said, I'm having a look tomorrow and unless totally convinced by the Tow-Trust will be sticking with my original choice.

I have a Westfallia fixed fitted, supplied by p f jones complete with loom etc fitted at my place in uk by their recommended fitter, ok accept its permanent but I cut a 50 x 50mm square out of the silver lower panel left off by the fitter, i then refitted the panel, I can get pics if reqd!

Thanks, but as I'm only going to use it occasionally I want the removable one as on previous cars.

 

Last fixed one I had was on an MGB GT!

I have a Westfallia fixed fitted, supplied by p f jones complete with loom etc fitted at my place in uk by their recommended fitter, ok accept its permanent but I cut a 50 x 50mm square out of the silver lower panel left off by the fitter, i then refitted the panel, I can get pics if reqd!

 

Tony,

Can you get a photo of that and send it to me?

Looking at options for the new one.

I took a photo of my tow bar, for a neighbour, so I will post it here.

What make was that?

Well I asked for Witter the same as I had on my older Yeti Elegance (2012)

and that is what was fitted to my FL Elegance Outdoor.

Thanks.

Had a look this morning. They had two brand new Yetis in, still with the protective films etc. on them.

 

They do cut an aperture out (nicely cut) but is no bigger than it needs to be for the tow bar socket and fold down electrics and you have to be crouching down to really see it. You can see a little of the rectangular socket beneath the bumper (about 10mm) which helps with locating the tow bar, when standing.

 

If I'd bought a second-hand car with it already fitted I'd be perfectly happy with it as it's pretty neat and unobtrusive. One advantage is that the aperture is smaller than that required for the Westfalia when you have the tow bar in position.

 

But as I'm choosing I decided to go with the Westfalia. Only £50 more plus the cover and frame. Booked in for the 25th.