Hi, I'm new to the forum and my topic is probably covered, but I would appreciate owners thoughts on towing with a 2 litre 140bhp Outdoor 4x4.

I currently drive the Mrs Range Rover for towing but would like to have the Yeti as back-up. Currently no towbar on the Yeti hence the question. Don't want to waste £500 if the concensus is no good.

The caravan is a bailey Cadiz with traction control.

Regards

Mick

Hello and welcome.  Several members here who happily tow big 'vans, horseboxes, boats etc with the 140 and 170 4x4 Tdi's, manual and DSG.  Personally, my Elddis has gone now but the Yeti never really hinted that she noticed it.  The reversing geometry feels rather different because the towball is closer to the rear 'axle' than on most cars.  Beware of short cuts if the car hasn't got 'proper' Škoda trailer electrics - someone with up-to-date info will surely be along soon... 

Thanks Brijo for your reply. I've been used to larger, powerful motors the last couple of decades so all experiences by members are very welcome

What is the MAM of that caravan? 

I towed my Bailey (1100kg) with a 140 with no problems at all.

 

I am sure that someone will be able to recommend a good fitter in your area, but ensure that they know how to do the recoding correctly.

1 hour ago, Llanigraham said:

What is the MAM of that caravan? 

I towed my Bailey (1100kg) with a 140 with no problems at all.

 

I am sure that someone will be able to recommend a good fitter in your area, but ensure that they know how to do the recoding correctly.

MTPLM is 1499kg;  MRO is 1344kg all within legal limits albeit advisory is for experienced towers. (which I am). According to Skoda manual the 4x4 has a nose limit of 85kg so, so long as everything is in balance I should think there is no problem.

It is just that others with experience of towing with the 140 version is welcome before I commit to fitting towbar, which raises another question. Which type? I use a very experienced guy local to me for all my fitting. 

My last Yeti (140) I had the Skoda fitted Westphalia removable which was excellent, but it was fitted before I bought it. On my current (150) one I have a Witter fixed bought from PF Jones and fitted by one of their fitters, who unfortunately was not able to code the car properly. Personally I now regret not fitting a removable one.

 

Your fitter might be experienced in the fitting element, but where the problems arise is with the electrics. Do NOT use a relay system on your Yeti, but use a dedicated wiring loom. PFJ market a generic one which is perfectly satisfactory. If your fitter does not have the correct Westphalia machine or a laptop with VCDS he will not be able to reprogramme the car and you will get problems. 

 

The Yeti is very stable and both have towed beautifully, even at French motorway speeds. 

Edited 1 August, 20178 yr by Llanigraham

We've a 140 4+4 witch we tow our sprite alpine 4 with no problem,I bought a bosal swan neck Towbar from of jones for around £150 and had a friend who is a good auto electrician fit it with no problems, the yeti is very stable towing but could do with a couple of more bhp I'm hopeful this will come with a few more miles on it if not I may put a tuning box on it to make maybe another 30bhp other than that l can't fault the car .

I had a Westfalia removable tow-bar fitted after I bought the car (being as it's what Skoda use for factory fit as Graham says) and had one fitted to a previous Passat.

 

If you go down that route don't forget to get the removal bumper panel from Skoda to neatly fill the hole when the tow-bar isn't fitted. They aren't very expensive.

Edited 1 August, 20178 yr by VAGCF

I had a Westphalia removable tow bar on my previous Yeti and actually never bothered to remove it in two and a half years of ownership.

Have fixed Westphalia bar on my new Yeti .

I tow a small Ifor Williams trailer for taking stuff to the tip and so on.

I also use a Thule tow bar mounted bike rack for transporting our electric bikes.

Both tow bars were dealer fitted using proper loom and electrics so no problems with parking sensors etc.

You pays your money and takes your choice but I'd always go for OEM setup.

 

26 minutes ago, VAGCF said:

I had a Westfalia removable tow-bar fitted after I bought the car (being as it's what Skoda use for factory fit as Graham says) and had one fitted to a previous Passat.

 

If you go down that route don't forget to get the removal bumper panel from Skoda to neatly fill the hole when the tow-bar isn't fitted. They aren't very expensive.

Thanks for all the replies. Think I will go for the removable tow hitch. Better let the moths out of the wallet!