Skoda Kodiaq towbar fitted-why is there a need for upgraded cooling?

[morganic]

I’m contemplating having an aftermarket towbar fitted to my Sportline 190 tdi. I’ve been on this site and another and some are saying “oh you need up graded cooling!”

I ask why? How many other manufacturers require this? I’ve had towbars fitted on a number of vehicles but never had to upgrade the cooling so why is it I ask are people saying  it’s needed. I think it’s probably propaganda from Skoda who are covering their rear ends and hoping customers will get it fixed by factory or by local Skoda dealer - the latter who will probably get it fitted locally and rack up the price to the customer. And I speak from experience! Towbar on an Octavia from dealer £680. From fitter direct who fitted it for dealer £460!

I’ve sought independent technical advice from a motoring association and a specialist and they it’s not necessary on my car. I reiterate on my model and make of car. So why are people saying it’s necessary?
 

[Breezy_Pete]

Depending on what you tow (weight and aero drag factors) you may well operate your engine much closer to maximum power for long periods of time, so this will impact the cooling system requirements.

 

It probably used to be the case that cooling systems were engineered to have significant safety margins (over-engineering) but with 'value engineering' these margins will have been reduced.  Cost saving for everyone that doesn't tow (and the manufacturer).

 

Another factor is that any openings in the grille at the front of the car negatively impact the overall aero of the car, so are minimised to get good EU emissions figures. If you want to dump a lot of heat, you obviously want lots of fresh air getting to the radiator, so versions of grilles with a higher proportion of 'openness' may be specced for cars built with towing as an expectation.

 

 

 

[olderman1]

I've put a link on your other forum thread that discusses this topic. Not sure it will be helpful in your case.

My own opinion is that your car is rated by Skoda to tow up to 2200kgs I believe. I seen written nowhere that any cooling upgrades are necessary to do that and I'd like to think that if Skoda have rated your car thus, then that would be in standard form, but if any extras are needed to the cooling, I'd think that Skoda would make that plain.

Again, my own opinion: for your intended usage i.e. small trailer and bike rack, a cooling upgrade would not be needed. A caravan is a different proposition due to weight and wind resistance. As you know. I have a tow bar fitted to my 2.0Tsi and I trust the dealer who's details I gave you to have told me if a cooling upgrade were necessary.

As to whether you should have a Skoda or aftermarket tow bar fitted is your choice. I'm happy with mine given I only use it occasionally for carrying bikes, although it was originally fitted with the intention of towing my caravan.

You might benefit from going on the Skoda live chat facility and asking them your questions. I've used them to find out about the braking system on my car and they answered my questions.

[morganic]

4 hours ago, Wino said:

Depending on what you tow (weight and aero drag factors) you may well operate your engine much closer to maximum power for long periods of time, so this will impact the cooling system requirements.

 

It probably used to be the case that cooling systems were engineered to have significant safety margins (over-engineering) but with 'value engineering' these margins will have been reduced.  Cost saving for everyone that doesn't tow (and the manufacturer).

 

Another factor is that any openings in the grille at the front of the car negatively impact the overall aero of the car, so are minimised to get good EU emissions figures. If you want to dump a lot of heat, you obviously want lots of fresh air getting to the radiator, so versions of grilles with a higher proportion of 'openness' may be specced for cars built with towing as an expectation.

 

 

 

 

[morganic]

Thanks to those who responded. I can understand the need for extra cooling if you’re towing to or near the limit. I can’t I’m too old and I didn’t take up “grandfather’s rights” so I’m limited to 3500kg -towing vehicle and caravan/trailer. 
My intended use is to carry bikes or tow a an unbraked trailer maximum gross weight 750kg. 
Again  thanks to those who responded. 

 

[J.R.]

Can someone explain what these "grandfather rights" are with respect to towing limits?

 

I still have the old format green paper driving license issued in 1976 and last renewed with a change of address in 1984, I know that I could dig it out & look but its been decades since I actually was concerned about what I am and aren't supposedly allowed to do.

 

I have a feeling that my license groups allow me to drive a rigid non articulated lorry up to 7500kg and tow maybe up to 3500kg but its probably been 20 years since I looked.

 

Here in France you have to take a special test to tow anything other than a tiny goods trailer, all trailers over 500kg have to be registered and carry their own number plates and insurance, it was 750kg in the past and basic car insurance includes cover for a trailer up to 750kg even though many of those will need their own insurance.

 

I think the standard driving license is restricted to vehicles under 3500kg, you get the silly situation where self drive hire flatbed lorries with a tilt bed have which can happily carry several cubic metres of sand, ballast etc have an allowable payload of no more than a couple of bags of cement or the general public could not hire them, far less than a saloon or estate car

[Sargan]

I have a Kodiaq there was no requirement to alter cooling.

I even have it in writing from dealer that fitting 3rd party Towbar does not invalidate the warranty as long as professionally fitted.

[MrTrilby]

If I recall it was only the lowest powered version of the 1.4 petrol Kodiaq that required cooling modifications. 
 

Your dealer is the best source of a definitive answer. Alternatively search this forum for when it was first discussed to see which models it actually applies to. 

[morganic]

3 hours ago, Sargan said:

I have a Kodiaq there was no requirement to alter cooling.

I even have it in writing from dealer that fitting 3rd party Towbar does not invalidate the warranty as long as professionally fitted.

Thanks that’s very interesting! 
 

3 hours ago, MrTrilby said:

If I recall it was only the lowest powered version of the 1.4 petrol Kodiaq that required cooling modifications. 
 

Your dealer is the best source of a definitive answer. Alternatively search this forum for when it was first discussed to see which models it actually applies to. 

 

3 hours ago, Sargan said:

I have a Kodiaq there was no requirement to alter cooling.

I even have it in writing from dealer that fitting 3rd party Towbar does not invalidate the warranty as long as professionally fitted.

 

Edited 25 November, 2020 by morganic
Misinterpreted

[morganic]

Just now, morganic said:

Thanks to all respondents. Seems I’m  getting mixed messages. I have booked my car in to have a towbar fitted. 
Sorry about previous post. Don’t know what went wrong. 

 

 

 

[Sargan]

OK ... then I have the 2L 190ps variant ... maybe not an issue on this version.

[ZacDaMan72]

Yeah it depends on the engine. There were only one or two variants of the 1.4 that needed it AFAIK