Hey,

 

I've been looking into getting a towbar installed on the Superb 280. Has anyone had this done?

 

I spotted in the Superb accessories brochure it would cost from £855 including serial preparation. However, having read elsewhere about coding problems, I contacted my nearest approved Skoda garage, and they quoted a whopping £1552 to fit it.

 

Is I necessary for it to be done by Skoda approved garage? I have read of not doing so runs into various fault codes appearing.

 

What have others done? Ideally looking to fit it in the Inverness area.

 

 

My 280 came with a removable Westfalia towbar already installed by the first owner. I didn't even realise that it had one, until I found the removable part under the spare wheel cover.

 

I haven't actually tried using it, as I don't have a trailer, but with nothing plugged in I don't get any errors.

 

Try your local towbar fitting specialist, see what they say.

Thanks Clockworks!

 

I wonder what the advantage of installing the Skoda one is over Westfalia?

Does the Skoda towbar fold away under the car when not in use? I think that BMW fits this type, some of them retract electrically so that you don't have to get dirty hands or knees.

 

The actual hitch part fitted to my car pulls out of a socket on the towbar. No tools needed, but potentially a dirty job.

 

The complete Westfalia kit is available on eBay for £360

There's a very good video on here (which I can't just find again!) showing how the Skoda one works

 

I have a retrofit one with no errors and it is a pretty sound install if I'm honest!

 

www.towbarsandtowing.co.uk is where I got mine from

The official skoda one is very good, folds out/away with just a lift of the flap. 

 

 

 

 

It was a must have for my car and I'm glad I got it rather then getting an aftermarket removable one fitted. 

I have fitted many a towbar but bottled doing it on my still warranted Superb, way too much trim removal, the coding issue with no-one local on coding map and time pressure to get it done. So I had a Westfalia detachable fitted for £700 inc vat and it is completely invisible when not mounted (most Witter show 'bunny ear' lugs). I would have liked the twist and turn standard one but any towing equipment on 2nd hand market is rare and on the right engine/gearbox is in the lottery odds territory.

9 hours ago, WeeDee said:

Thanks Clockworks!

 

I wonder what the advantage of installing the Skoda one is over Westfalia?

Westfalia is the official supplier for VAG group.

There will be no difference.

 

6 hours ago, Clockworks said:

Does the Skoda towbar fold away under the car when not in use? I think that BMW fits this type, some of them retract electrically so that you don't have to get dirty hands or knees.

 

The actual hitch part fitted to my car pulls out of a socket on the towbar. No tools needed, but potentially a dirty job.

 

The complete Westfalia kit is available on eBay for £360

The optional Skoda foldable towbar though not an electric one comes out/in very easily. If you use your foot the 'good way' you can lock the towbar either in folded or unefolded position without getting your hands dirty! Made it several times, no problem.

 

Retrofitting a foldable towbar will be more complicated and expensive compared to a towbar that can be removed without tool.

I had the 2nd type on my ex-Superb Mk2. Got slightly dirty hands several times, but nothing dramatic though.

 

Regarding coding issues, this is a risk if not made by a specialit. Actually, it's not just adding a towing control unit to make the right lights switch on at the right time.

The coding also takes into account several other functions :

- Rear fog light deactivation, when trailer is plugged (to prevent from being dazzled in the inside rear view miror, because of rear fog light reflection on the caravan /or high trailer)

- Anti sway mode activation in ESP ECU, when trailer is plugged

- Trailer maneuver assistant activation on reverse camera (if fitted).

I may forget some others... 

 

Thank you all for the responses, you've answered in minutes what I couldn't after hours and hours of looking around. 

 

I got a quote of £855 to have the Westfalia fitted. So that's a bit closer to what I'm willing to spend!

@WeeDee You're welcome  !

Hi. Need help as well. Got a sviwel towbar installed myself skoda superb mk3 2016 se 150hp).

 

I have bought the trailer control unit separately ( 5Q0907383N). I was doing coding using vcds. All was good until i connected the caravan and trailer.. The porblem ia thta the lights are not working properly. Right turning light not working at all.. Left works with the brake at the same time.. I thought as it is aplug and play (my car was trailer prepared so all the connection was at the nack of the car already) then i shouldn't have a problem. My question is : do i have to reprogram the control unit to make the lights to work properly? Or there most likely will be a trailer to control unit wire that is not broke or not connected properly. Thanks.. I didn't wire anything as was juat plug and pay for me (2 connection outlet from the car fuse to the control unit and 2 from the trailer to control unit