I am going to get a swan neck detachable tow bar fitted to my 2015 Octavia Hatch. I've been advised that a dedicated electrical kit is crucial because of the sophistication of the car's electrical system. Rear parking sensors need to be disengaged when towing etc, etc. There seems to be quite a pricing disparity in fitting charges. Local specialists are quoting £700+ for a fully fitted system with suitable electrical kit. One even suggested I would need a Skoda dealer to perform a software update (£72) on the car to activate additional benefits and safety features. Halfords, on the other hand, claim to do the whole fitting with electrics for £450. Has anyone used Halfords fitting service and did they experience any problems? Or would I be better advised to pay the extra and go to one of the specialists?

What will you be towing?

I'll be towing a Bailey Phoenix 420 caravan.

As you will need the caravan electrics wiring as well as road lights I would suggest getting a proper job done by a towbar specialist. When I bought my Octavia the dealer recommended North West Towbars in Stockport, where I live, as they used them when paid by customers to fit towbars. They fitted a 13 pin socket, a dedicated electrical module and coded it all up. The rear fogs and reversing lights are disabled when the caravan, now sold, was plugged in and the reversing sensors were disabled.

 

I believe that P F Jones sell a full kit with towbar and electrics that you, or a mate, could fit. A local member with VCDS could then do the coding for some beer money.

Ok thanks for that. Sound advice I think. It's not a job I'd fancy doing myself so I'll take it to one of the local specialists when lockdown eases. It's some years since I had a towbar fitted and things have moved on significantly since then, so I suppose I was a bit naive to be so taken aback by the cost.

I would second having a look at the PF Jones website. They do the Westfalia towbar, as used by Skoda, and often have special offers which represent a considerable saving. It's a fairly straightforward job to fit, alternatively you could check on the approved installers recommended by PF Jones.

I got mine from PF Jones and fitted it myself (to my Oct 2).  Its straight forward to do, just need a specialist tool to unpick the wiring out the back of the fuse box - you can do with a paper clip but its a ball ache.  My Oct 2 had Westfalia (fitted myself) Oct 3 had factory bar and my current Allroad has a Westfalia as well.  My pref is Westfalia.

On 11/06/2020 at 12:09, Worbobby said:

I am going to get a swan neck detachable tow bar fitted to my 2015 Octavia Hatch. I've been advised that a dedicated electrical kit is crucial because of the sophistication of the car's electrical system. Rear parking sensors need to be disengaged when towing etc, etc. There seems to be quite a pricing disparity in fitting charges. Local specialists are quoting £700+ for a fully fitted system with suitable electrical kit. One even suggested I would need a Skoda dealer to perform a software update (£72) on the car to activate additional benefits and safety features. Halfords, on the other hand, claim to do the whole fitting with electrics for £450. Has anyone used Halfords fitting service and did they experience any problems? Or would I be better advised to pay the extra and go to one of the specialists?

Halfords will be using a standard electrical bypass kit for the electrics at that price, which doesn't need any form of coding, I fitted my electrics using a bypass kit, I've towed caravans and trailers for 30+ years without harming myself or anyone else so don't see the need to suddenly require the car to be able to control things while I'm towing, like all the other stuff they control in the vehicle is brilliant, not....

I just fitted a 7 pin set up as my car and boat trailer are both 7 pin and use a 7 to 13 pin converter when towing the van, I don't run anything from the van off the car electrics so it's all I need.

The Oris detachable is good (£181.25) and so is the Westfalia (£227.98) add to that a universal bypass kit for £25 and at worst it works out about £250 for parts.

I've fitted a detachable recently so if you want any more info just drop me a pm.

 

Cheers

 

MarkC