Having just changed my Yeti at the weekend for a younger Yeti,  I have been doing my homework on where to get a new towbar fitted.  I am quite particular in what I want - Westfalia detachable, vehicle specific wiring - to include 13 pin and live feed for the 'fridge' -  and cut out/blanking panel for the rear bumper.  I was fortunate enough to find Phil Taylor of Horndean, Hampshire and have just spoken to him.

 

His opening words were - 'I fit a lot of towbars to Yetis and owners come to me from all over the country'.  Encouraging words to hear, especially after some of the stories that have been posted on this Briskoda site.  He even has a time lapsed video on his website of a fit to a Yeti!

 

Anyway, booked in for next week.  They even have a Skoda tool for doing the bumper cut!

 

The boss - Phil Taylor - has been in the towbar fitting business for 50 years, another encouraging sound-bite.  They even do the coding, included in the price.  At £620, which includes the bumper cut and blanking panel + coding, I reckon it is a good deal.

 

I'll report back after the fitting, but I have a warm feeling that this will be a good experience.  Oh - three/four guys work as a team and it takes an hour.

Glad you found a good 'un.

 

Like you I found a really good firm who were local to me.

 

I asked about the hole cutting tool and he didn't have one but said don't worry he had cut loads. He was right, the hole was spot on.

 

I'd never use that national chain (can't even remember their name now! ), too much of a lottery.

Edited 15 May, 20179 yr by VAGCF

Phil Taylor's time-lapse video if anybody is interested . 

 

 

You won't be unhappy, I can guarantee that, I took my previous Octavia into his workshop and liked it so much I took the Yeti there about 18 months back. They did the lot, exactly the same as you are getting, though it will probably be nearer an hour and half so take something to read and Pam will keep you in tea/coffee too.

Pity you didn't think about it before but, if you still had the original crash bar for the back, they would have put that back on and used your old towbar on the new Yeti with some new wiring from the front to the rear module. I was going to do that last year but plans changed, still was quoted a swapping cost of less then half that of a new set up.

Ian

Edited 15 May, 20179 yr by countryboy

When I got my L&K in February, I asked the dealer for a price - same spec as yours. £750 all up - genuine Skoda (Westfalia) installation.

 

I was aghast! My how things change. Used to fit them myself (many moons ago) but with all this Canbus stuff it is all change.

 

Two doors down from my work is a specialist trailer/towbar company. Asked him for his best price (knowing it wouldn't be Skoda/Westfalia). His best price was £765!

 

Let the dealer do it. Perfect job.

 

Bill  

Last towbar I had was on a Skoda superb 10 years ago, cost me £150 fitted with electrics and no issues with warning lights etc.

I used to tow boats all over the country to race them so was worth it, but by that car just used to take my medium sized unbraked goods trailer around for DIY materials, trips to dump etc.

Just wasn't worth paying £800 at the time for a Yeti towbar 7 years ago.

 

Bright spot was selling my trailer on ebay, 9 years old and I got almost all I paid for it back. Indeed a new one to the same spec was only around £150 more from a local trailer dealer at £950ish. Buyers were fighting each other to get it and the winning bidder drove to Leeds from John-O-Groats to pick it up!!! Personally can't understand why he didn't just order a new one for very little more than his total cost.

 

Seems trailers hold their value much better than cars.

I'll be getting a towbar fitted to my Yeti in the near future and it looks like the detachable Westfalia one might be the best option as I don't need a bike carrier. The electrical info at the link says that " This kit utilises CAN bus technology, it will integrate with your vehicle and provide all legally required towing functions. A software update should be performed if you wish to activate additional user benefits and safety features. AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE MAY BE MADE FOR THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. ", but I'm not clear what additional benefits and safety features this might mean and whether they would be worthwhile?  The car is only 3 months old, so obviously I'm keen to make sure I don't interfere with the warranty.

https://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbar/view/-outdoor-westfalia-detachable-towbar-automatic-system-with-vertical-loading--6149/20170531?variantTowbarId=6149&variant=U2tvZGEgWWV0aSBTVVYgKE91dGRvb3IpIDIwMTQgLSA=

52 minutes ago, HowardBury said:

A software update should be performed if you wish to activate additional user benefits and safety features. AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE MAY BE MADE FOR THE SOFTWARE UPDATE.

 

That looks like they do not do the coding for stability control etc that is usually about £70 elsewhere.

1 hour ago, HowardBury said:

I'll be getting a towbar fitted to my Yeti in the near future and it looks like the detachable Westfalia one might be the best option as I don't need a bike carrier. The electrical info at the link says that " This kit utilises CAN bus technology, it will integrate with your vehicle and provide all legally required towing functions. A software update should be performed if you wish to activate additional user benefits and safety features. AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE MAY BE MADE FOR THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. ", but I'm not clear what additional benefits and safety features this might mean and whether they would be worthwhile?  The car is only 3 months old, so obviously I'm keen to make sure I don't interfere with the warranty.

https://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbar/view/-outdoor-westfalia-detachable-towbar-automatic-system-with-vertical-loading--6149/20170531?variantTowbarId=6149&variant=U2tvZGEgWWV0aSBTVVYgKE91dGRvb3IpIDIwMTQgLSA=

 

If you do not have the car re-programmed/updated as they term it, then you risk damaging the electrics of the car and invalidating the warranty.

 

Reprogramming gives you:

Modified central display when you select reverse and trailer plugged in.

Rear fog lights switched off on car when trailer plugged in.

Rear parking sensors switched off when trailer plugged in.

Bulb failure system extended to trailer, which also gives you the legally required notification if the trailer indicators fail.

Alarm system extended to protect trailer; alarm sounds if trailer unplugged when car alarm switched on.

Stop/Start system switched off when trailer plugged in.

Stability Control System modified to allow for trailer.

Lighting Control Unit response modified to allow for the added load of the trailer indicators.

 

A good fitter will have the correct equipment to do the up-date and I am very surprised this is not included in their quote, as they are not doing their job without it being done. They cannot check that all the electrics work without the reprogramming. (As I well know!!)

 

Thanks guys. I guess the trick here is that Witter are allowing each fitter to come up with their own additional cost for this work, while keeping the fundamental costs the same across the country. I have 2 local businesses to choose from, with one of them almost certainly the business referred to by lawnmowerman above. Looks like the fairly reasonable £618 cost might turn out to be nearer to £750 then, which is a bit of a nuisance. Hey ho, it'll need to be done.

2 hours ago, HowardBury said:

Thanks guys. I guess the trick here is that Witter are allowing each fitter to come up with their own additional cost for this work, while keeping the fundamental costs the same across the country. I have 2 local businesses to choose from, with one of them almost certainly the business referred to by lawnmowerman above. Looks like the fairly reasonable £618 cost might turn out to be nearer to £750 then, which is a bit of a nuisance. Hey ho, it'll need to be done.

 

I work in H.I.S. (head office).

 

Bill 

lawnmowerman, issue with 'let the dealer do it. Perfect job.'  is that other than the work should be guaranteed it is not the same Dealership as yours around the UK ,

or the same Tech / Fitter in Dealerships around the UK and they might have All the Gear and some idea, but sometimes that is about it.

So you sometimes need to research by asking on a thread like this and maybe use how is local, maybe that will be a Skoda Main Dealership maybe not.

 

?

Who or where is your local dealership that does a perfect job?

The majority of dealerships will contract the fitting to an independent tow bar fitter then add their markup.  If you can use a recommended independent then do so, save yourself some money whilst ensuring you've had good work done rather than just the cheapest the dealer has in their contacts.

On 08/09/2017 at 09:06, Headinawayoffski said:

lawnmowerman, issue with 'let the dealer do it. Perfect job.'  is that other than the work should be guaranteed it is not the same Dealership as yours around the UK ,

or the same Tech / Fitter in Dealerships around the UK and they might have All the Gear and some idea, but sometimes that is about it.

So you sometimes need to research by asking on a thread like this and maybe use how is local, maybe that will be a Skoda Main Dealership maybe not.

 

?

Who or where is your local dealership that does a perfect job?

My you are an aggressive little bunny aren't you?

 

When I said 'Let the dealer do it' I was referring to myself - as in 'I let the dealer do it'. Which, in fairness, is the only way I could then say "Perfect job' as in 'I let the dealer do it and it was a perfect job'.

 

Nowhere did I mention that it was a Local dealership - in fact they are 150 miles distant.

 

But thank you for pointing out that someone could (and in your case did) misconstrue my post.

 

Yours in Yeti friendship, Bill 

Aggressive, me?  i am a pacifist.  'Let the dealer do it' read to me like that was advice which i was questioning.

 

  I did misconstrue your post, and i think you made a error in any aggression from me, or my size, i am a gentle bear really.

 

Odd thing to call anyone really IMO....... As i think about it and re-read what i posted & you quoted.

Edited 14 September, 20178 yr by Headinawayoffski

I have had this quote for fitting tow bar and seems quite reasonable going by prices mentioned in this thread,

Skoda Yeti MPV 2016

Westfalia (an original equipment manufacturer)

Fixed swan neck option supplied & fitted with Westfalia 13pin dedicated electrics wired to single with an adapter £601.20 Inc. vat  

 

The price includes any programming required and the fitted by NTTA/Westfalia Level three certified personnel.

 

Fitting takes around 4 hours and it would be helpful of the boot of the car was empty of personal belongings.

  

We take a £50.00 deposit to cover returning the bar in the event of cancellation.

 

Having never had a bar fitted before, it would be just for towing a trailer is the bar quoted for suitable for this purpose.

21 hours ago, Highlander19 said:

I have had this quote for fitting tow bar and seems quite reasonable going by prices mentioned in this thread,

Skoda Yeti MPV 2016

Westfalia (an original equipment manufacturer)

Fixed swan neck option supplied & fitted with Westfalia 13pin dedicated electrics wired to single with an adapter £601.20 Inc. vat  

 

The price includes any programming required and the fitted by NTTA/Westfalia Level three certified personnel.

 

Fitting takes around 4 hours and it would be helpful of the boot of the car was empty of personal belongings.

  

We take a £50.00 deposit to cover returning the bar in the event of cancellation.

 

Having never had a bar fitted before, it would be just for towing a trailer is the bar quoted for suitable for this purpose.

 

Having whacked my shins on more than one occasion on a fixed towball in the past - at least consider the removable one and compare costs. After all, it is not used more than it is used.

 

Bill   

@Highlander19 where/who did you get your quote from? I've just taken ownership of my SM...

 

Elts

http://www.ajgrant.co.uk/towbars/quotes.aspx in Inverness

 

A.J. Grant and Sons

40a Seafield road

Inverness

IV1 1SG

Tel:  01463 233751

Fax: 01463 711212

Mailto: [email protected]

www.ajgrant.co.uk

 

Got a quote for detachable tow bar from same company.

Skoda Yeti MPV 2016

Westfalia (an original equipment manufacturer)

Detachable swan neck option supplied & fitted with Westfalia 13pin dedicated electrics wired to single with an adapter £790.80 Inc. vat  

Big difference in price. Is the convenience of detachable worth the best part of £200.

6 minutes ago, Highlander19 said:

Got a quote for detachable tow bar from same company.

Skoda Yeti MPV 2016

Westfalia (an original equipment manufacturer)

Detachable swan neck option supplied & fitted with Westfalia 13pin dedicated electrics wired to single with an adapter £790.80 Inc. vat  

Big difference in price. Is the convenience of detachable worth the best part of £200.

Did they give you any details about the software update as I'm assuming it must be included in these prices?

Peter

On 19/09/2017 at 00:12, Highlander19 said:

The price includes any programming required and the fitted by NTTA/Westfalia Level three certified personnel.

The price includes any programming required and the fitted by NTTA/Westfalia Level three certified personnel. 

30 minutes ago, Highlander19 said:

The price includes any programming required and the fitted by NTTA/Westfalia Level three certified personnel. 

Thanks.  I had seen that but had wondered if there was any detailed info that might help explain the big price difference between the fixed and removable towbars.  When you checkout the respective prices on the Witter website for my 2017 Yeti, it is £490.68 for the Westfalia fixed towbar and £618.60 for the removable, plus extra for the reprogramming on both bars. As that is only £128 difference, I had just wondered whether there is more reprogramming on the removable that would take it to nearer the  £200 you mentioned.

https://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbars-by-reg/8234/20170531

removable lower bumper plate? maybe the fixed just has a small hole cut to accommodate the towball!

Mine is fixed and the bumper has a neat little hole about 40mm sq.