Never had a tow before, but thinking of getting one for my new vRS estate.  The only thing it'll ever be used for is a bike rack - absolutely no intention of towing anything. 

 

Is it possible to save on the cost by not getting all the electrical side done?  I know the parking sensors wouldn't function, but I'm happy to just mute that on the odd occasion I'm reversing with bikes on, if it just starts bleeping at me.

 

I'm guessing I'll need to get a Skoda dealer to do the work to avoid any issues with warranty?  Also, it's on PCP, so that may affect things?

surely if you obscure the numberplate and rear lights with a bike rack/bike you will need a numberplate board with brakelights and indicators?

if you don't i'm sure plod will eventually tug you about it

& whats going to happen for the next owner ?

1 hour ago, encephalopathy said:

surely if you obscure the numberplate and rear lights with a bike rack/bike you will need a numberplate board with brakelights and indicators?

if you don't i'm sure plod will eventually tug you about it

 

Good point - I've only used one of the strap type before, and that held the bikes way above the plate and lights.  I'll have to look into this some more!

44 minutes ago, themanwithnoaim said:

& whats going to happen for the next owner ?

 

Not sure what you mean - they'd just be in the same situation as me, able to carry bikes (light-board issues aside) but would need to get the electrics done if they want to drag a caravan around.

Would a roof mounted carrier not be better? Transferrable or saleable too if you return the car. No electrics to worry about, and you can access the boot with the bikes on 

4 minutes ago, pist0nbr0ke said:

Would a roof mounted carrier not be better? Transferrable or saleable too if you return the car. No electrics to worry about, and you can access the boot with the bikes on 

 

That's what we've done up until now, but growing family etc means we now need a massive roof box!

most of the decent bike carriers - thule/strada will allow tilting of the rack and boot access

i had an atera strada on towbar on my last vrs for the bikes but have thule aerobars and bikeholders on the current one

 

pricewise decent towbar rack = roofbar mounted bike carrier but when you factor in the cost of a towbar the roof system is cheaper. but not much use if you need to tow something.....

 

ps i killed my rear shocks on the last mk2 vrs hatch on a weekend away with 3 bikes on rear rack, 2 on the roof and the luggage for the 5 of us

Edited 18 April, 20179 yr by encephalopathy

2 minutes ago, a1dan75 said:

 

That's what we've done up until now, but growing family etc means we now need a massive roof box!

 

 it's not legal to put kids in the roof box 

8 hours ago, a1dan75 said:

Never had a tow before, but thinking of getting one for my new vRS estate.  The only thing it'll ever be used for is a bike rack - absolutely no intention of towing anything. 

 

Is it possible to save on the cost by not getting all the electrical side done?  I know the parking sensors wouldn't function, but I'm happy to just mute that on the odd occasion I'm reversing with bikes on, if it just starts bleeping at me.

 

I'm guessing I'll need to get a Skoda dealer to do the work to avoid any issues with warranty?  Also, it's on PCP, so that may affect things?

 

Don't go to your Skoda dealer for this work because all they'll do is outsource to a specialist and then charge you a fortune! 

 

Ask on on here for recommendations in your area and I'll bet you can get a fully coded fixed towbar fitted for around £350 or a detachable for around £450.

 

Don't worry about your PCP, but do make sure you ask your provider first - they may have minimum requirements that you must comply with. Our leased Yeti (VWFS) has a fixed towbar which Skoda approved but was fitted by a local independent.

 

Hope this helps.

Thanks Pirate.  Sounds like the no-electrics is a non-starter, but if we can get it all sorted for £450 that could be viable.

2 hours ago, a1dan75 said:

 

Not sure what you mean - they'd just be in the same situation as me, able to carry bikes (light-board issues aside) but would need to get the electrics done if they want to drag a caravan around.

Are you going to engrave the towbar or something, you maybe quite honest but, the second hand car salesman whom sells it in the future may/will not be.

 

The electrics & coding are the expensive bit, which we know but, the average buyer won't & if a second hand car dealer gets it done it won't be done right.

 

Don't do half a job, either use another form of carrier or do a complete towbar install, you never know, a future owners life could depend on it

Yeah fair enough - I was kind of thinking it would be obvious, but I guess some people wouldn't check.

Dan, I've pushed my towbar & trailer software further than most, a 600kg trailer & a Mk2 Astra for 30 miles & the software is so good, you have to abuse the car for it to be anything other than manageable.

 

This will become the expected norm, buyer beware or not, half a job could be life threatening.

 

TBH. How much are the bikes worth & how much would it cost to hire bikes when you go away, put this against the cost of the towbar & bike carrier & figure out whats worth it.

 

Octavia's are big but, you're talking a boot full, a roofbox full & those towbar mounted bike carriers can carry 4/5 bikes. I actually think fully loaded with all your loved ones, the full install towbar which will give Trailer Stability Mode ain't a bad thing.  FFS you'd be carring 600kg incl. of passengers

 

Your call obviously