Aftermarket Detachable Towbar Fitted

[SEL190Combi]

Hello Folks

 

Thought I'd share details and a couple of vids showing the towbar I had fitted at the weekend.

 

I would have liked to have the factory fitted towbar and did ask my fleet manager if I could pay to have it, but alas not.

 

So I wanted a detachable bar with dedicated wiring to get as close to factory as possible, hoping this would switch on all the features of having something attached and no worry of possible warranty issues.

 

I used a fairly local company that I have experience of, it turns out they are also used by the Skoda dealership when a customer wants a towbar added. Incidentally they have done approx 10 new Superbs for them and they all had piggyback wiring! Wonder how that one would play out if something went wrong/caught fire.

 

They fitted a Westfalia Detachable Towbar with 13 Pin Electrics. 

 

I'm so impressed with it, that I thought I'd share videos of putting it on and off. 

 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n9m0w8fswuY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2bgsH_RqX0I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

We visited some friends after it was installed, he commented ' I thought you were having a towbar fitted', which shows just how discreet it is. It is very easy to attach and there are plenty of storage options in the boot when not in use.

 

The coding seems to have worked, indicator light on dash comes on when signalling, parking sensor switched off and says trailer attached etc. It should also mean that the car optimises the alternator/battery/cooling etc. and enables trailer assist.

 

Until now I've been towing our caravan with SWMBOs Carravelle 2.5 tdi 102, so I'm really looking forward to the extra power! 

 

For £200 less than the factory option, I'm very happy. 

 

Cheers

[RickTT]

For a retro fit solution it looks pretty good and simple.. 

 

You cant go wrong with the Westfalia stuff.... is it worth a £200 saving.. not sure.. but as a no option solution its perfect.

Edited 18 April, 2016 by RickTT

[FelisBengalensis]

It is if you don't have an option.....

Westfalia is good kit so the bar will be fine. Used them myself along with PF Jones supplied electrics which have always been plug'n'play.

[Rebelred]

Nice job alright. Does the hitch interfere with rear sensors when it is on, but no trailer attached??

[philpix]

Got a Westfalia fitted on my S2. It has been fine. No sensor bleeps if left on but drives me nuts in reverse with the bike carrier on.

Stores nicely in the spare wheel tools insert.

However I've gone for the factory-fit on my S3 order despite the cost.

[ACWarwick]

I had the exact same one fitted to my Mondeo and it was excellent, although a little difficult to get on and off from time to time.

 

Had to pay up front for that one and have it fitted myself but with the S3, I was allowed to spec it, so only paying a small amount each month on a 2 year lease.

 

The factory fitted tow bar is so easy, I cant see me going back to anything else now.

[philpix]

I kinda defeat the object and just leave the tow bar fixed most of the time. It's a bit of a faff taking it on and off between bike rides.

[Coops]

I have my detachable one fitted in 2 weeks. PF Jones are doing with dedicated 13 pin electrics and coding.

[maffyou]

Great info thanks. I may well be looking at getting a towbar in the future so this is good to know. You really can't tell there's anything there when the bar's detached and that certainly seemed pretty quick and easy to get on and off!

[Coops]

Had my towbar fitted today, fantastic job.

 

Detachable setup with 13 pin electrics - car coded to disable park sensors etc. Small issue as the ACC was displaying a fault and inactive, fitter had same issue on a Passat last week so knew how to sort it.

 

Hopefully using it in anger at the weekend.

[fletchbenji]

Has anyone had problems when towing. Have tried to tow my caravan now 3 times and each time it ( a new Superb 2 litre 4by4) has broken down . . . the yellow coil light comes on and it reduces the power to the engine. Very disconcerting and the dealership haven't been able to fix the problem, feel like giving the car back!!

[Paul R T]

Hi Fletchbenji,

I did have a similar problem with my 2010 CR 170 when it had done about 60k miles. The glow light came on on a few occasions when I was towing and applying significant power, eg to climb a dual carriageway incline. When it goes into limp mode while towing, the effect is rather dramatic in reduction of performance! I found on most occasions that a temporary solution was to stop, switch off and restart engine and the fault then cleared. When I took it to my dealer, they diagnosed a faulty potentiometer that is part of the EGR circuit. They replaced that and it has been fine since then.

I understand that the glow light can indicate a number of different faults, but your dealer really ought to be able to diagnose it using the VCDS system. Hope you get it sorted - may have to try a different dealer. 

Cheers

Paul R T

[fletchbenji]

thanks Paul; most useful      will suggest it to my dealer if they can't suss it out themselves. However have now sent all parties concerned a letter stating that should it happen a  4th time then legal redress will be sought (ie getting hacked off with it now).

[philsmith]

Does the car alarm go off if you disconnect the trailer from the car when the car is locked?, it does on the factory fitted version, quite suprised me when I unhitched from the locked car for the first time!

Edited 24 June, 2016 by philsmith

[Woodfordp]

I'm just looking now st a towbar for my new 280 estate (2017 model) I forgot to have it specced with one for our bIke rack.

 

price from dealers has ranged from  £1200 to £1400!!! Really gutted terms of the contract hire from Skoda means I have to go to a skoda dealer one has told me that apparently they aren't selling ( no shock!) and Skoda is developing s cheaper one but no date on release.  Anyone paid similar for a 2017 model? Itninvluses tgd wiring too! 

[CWARD]

Have look on PF Jones. Westfalia are normally the OEM supplier to German cars so most likely have a product for the 2017 estate. Not too far from you either if you want them to fit it or they'll probably have  a local fitter to you. Cost you less than half the price of going through a dealer but you'll get all the same including coding into the car to get the extra features.

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/

Edited 15 August, 2017 by CWARD

[Woodfordp]

Thanks for that Skoda saying I'll be in breach of the contract if I don't use one of their dealers sadly!  They'll also charge me when the contract terminates to remove it which still be cheaper to do!  I'll check out pf jones 

[Woodfordp]

1 hour ago, CWARD said:

Have look on PF Jones. Westfalia are normally the OEM supplier to German cars so most likely have a product for the 2017 estate. Not too far from you either if you want them to fit it or they'll probably have  a local fitter to you. Cost you less than half the price of going through a dealer but you'll get all the same including coding into the car to get the extra features.

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/

Thanks I've requested a quote for installation from them now

[Coops]

Mine was £550 inc supply, fitting, dedicated electrics and coding. This was with PF Jones.

[Woodfordp]

That's the sort of price I'm used to paying! I like the layout l of the detachable west Dalia as it doesn't look like any of the rear bumper or skirt is cut 

 

my other half says go the dealer but can't live with being ripped off

[Coops]

There is one cut to be made to allow the towbar section to fit into the part which is installed in the bumper, not at all visible though.You wouldn't know I had one fitted.

 

Dealers are unlikely to do themselves and will subcontract it out to a specialist.

 

Edited 15 August, 2017 by Coops

[silver1011]

2 hours ago, Woodfordp said:

Thanks for that Skoda saying I'll be in breach of the contract if I don't use one of their dealers sadly!  They'll also charge me when the contract terminates to remove it which still be cheaper to do!  I'll check out pf jones 

 

When I enquired with Skoda UK about having a towbar fitted to my lease car (Octavia Scout) they were fine with it.

 

The car must be returned back to them in the same condition as when it arrived.

 

I was therefore told that if the bumper needed to be cut to fit the towbar then you either replace the rear bumper or simply leave the towbar fitted instead.

[Woodfordp]

Thanks I'm going to call them again to double check as they said they'd send me details but never have 

[Albourneboy]

I too have the Westfalia kit fitted and it's great. When the towbar is off and the socket folded away, you'd never know that I tow anything. Towed the van down to the Dordogne and back in June/July (1500 miles or so towing) with no issues whatsoever and the car averaged around 28 mpg. The Superb is an excellent towcar - can't quite match up to the Discovery 3 I used to have but comes a very close second and I prefer the Superb's fuel consumption to the Discos

 

And yes, Philsmith, the alarm does go off if you disconnect the electrics when the car is locked. That one caught me out too.

 

The only issue I have is connecting the van 13-pin electrics to the car. There's not a lot of room around the socket which is tucked well up behind the bumper and I have to grovel around on my knees to do it but once you've developed the knack, it's not too bad.

[Woodfordp]

Thanks all yes the alarm used to sound on my Leon if you disconnected the electrics whilst the car was locked.

tge Westfalia sounds like the one for me.

 

as for mpg the 280 isn't blessed with high mpg or at least mine isn't but I'm only carrying bikes so should be liveable 

 

thanks gor for all the replies really helpful