Hi all, I'm currently looking at purchasing a 2017 Sportline 190 DSG 4x4 from a Skoda dealer, I enquired about having a towbar fitted and when they looked up the price they said that the computer flagged this particular model couldn't have a towbar fitted in the workshop and it needs to be factory fitted! But they did also say it didn't stop me having a after market towbar fitted! Ive rang a local towbar fitter who have said they can't see why there should be a problem! I was wondering if anyone else has come across this or had a tow bar fitted to a 190 DSG 4x4? Cheers 

Edited 13 May, 20206 yr by yesman

1 hour ago, yesman said:

Hi all, I'm currently looking at purchasing a 2017 Sportline 190 DSG 4x4 from a Skoda dealer, I enquired about having a towbar fitted and when they looked up the price they said that the computer flagged this particular model couldn't have a towbar fitted in the workshop and it needs to be factory fitted! But they did also say it didn't stop me having a after market towbar fitted! Ive rang a local towbar fitter who have said they can't see why there should be a problem! I was wondering if anyone else has come across this or had a tow bar fitted to a 190 DSG 4x4? Cheers 

To just add, Have spoke to the Skoda dealer again and their technician has said that the towbar has to be factory fitted on all 190 DSG 4x4 regardless of model due to needing extra cooling upgrades! If it's a 2 wheel drive it's not a problem and they will fit a towbar, I also found a reference to the extra cooling on Skoda's website, Obviously this has completely scuppered my search as a 190 DSG 4x4 was my choice of car for towing reasons. Also spoke to a local towbar fitters who's systems said a towbar could be fitted but after hearing about the cooling upgrades it's just too much of a risk to take especially as I now know! Bugger!!

Our local helpful and friendly Śkoda dealership had an aftermarket towbar fitted to my wife's new Karoq 190 SE L before we took delivery of it in November last year.  

40 minutes ago, yesman said:

To just add, Have spoke to the Skoda dealer again and their technician has said that the towbar has to be factory fitted on all 190 DSG 4x4 regardless of model due to needing extra cooling upgrades! If it's a 2 wheel drive it's not a problem and they will fit a towbar, I also found a reference to the extra cooling on Skoda's website, Obviously this has completely scuppered my search as a 190 DSG 4x4 was my choice of car for towing reasons. Also spoke to a local towbar fitters who's systems said a towbar could be fitted but after hearing about the cooling upgrades it's just too much of a risk to take especially as I now know! Bugger!!

 

I'd get a second opinion from Skoda UK if I were you. Not sure how extra cooling (at the front of the car 'cos that's where the cooling system is 😜) will have any bearing on the Haldex (at the back of the car, away from the cooling) 🤔.

22 minutes ago, unclerichy said:

 

I'd get a second opinion from Skoda UK if I were you. Not sure how extra cooling (at the front of the car 'cos that's where the cooling system is 😜) will have any bearing on the Haldex (at the back of the car, away from the cooling) 🤔.

That's exactly what I thought but there is plenty on the net that confirms a cooling upgrade needs doing on some models, also includes Kodiak models as well as others, The salesman questioned what the computer quoting as he knew one of their technicians had exactly the same car that he used for towing a caravan! It was that same technician who confirmed he had to have the towbar factory fitted due to extra cooling upgrades needed doing in the factory! Obviously the technician knew what he was talking about and the salesman was gutted as he knew he'd lost a sale!!

Edited 13 May, 20206 yr by yesman

That's disappointing.

 

Maybe bonnet vents are the solution 😅

2 hours ago, unclerichy said:

That's disappointing.

 

Maybe bonnet vents are the solution 😅

Tell me about it! Absolutely gutted! If was the right price, right model, right engine power, right drivetrain and I didn't even mind the red. Even had heated front seats which is rare for a Sportline because of the alcantara seats!! Obviously too good to be true which is normally is the warning sign something will go wrong!!

My SE Business has the factory fitted tow bar and prep. The factory fitted one increases the engine cooling and alternator capacity for charging your caravan.

It also links into the alarm and disables the rear parking sensors.

I've only ever had a bike carrier on mine. I've just bought a 2019 Sportline Plus (1.5TSi dsg) was going to look at fitting an aftermarket towbar

What are these extra factory features that aid cooling?

The aftermarket one I had fitted included skodas own wiring harness which links into the glovebox, disabling the rear sensors etc etc.

35 minutes ago, Bigeater said:

What are these extra factory features that aid cooling?

The aftermarket one I had fitted included skodas own wiring harness which links into the glovebox, disabling the rear sensors etc etc.

I assume a bigger radiator or oil cooler? but you can't really see it nor have I got a normal one to compare against