I'm interested in the new petrol vRS wagon, but the local (Australian) specifications haven't been announced yet. Based on the UK/EU specs and configurators it ticks all the boxes on paper. I will need to tow light (<250kg) trailer several times a year and I am wondering what would be the best option for the tow bar installation. 

 

The UK specs list two options for vRS:

 

• Integrated tow bar with adapter. The tow bar can be easily released from the boot and folded away after use. Includes preparation of the following vehicle systems for optimised operation whilst towing: alternator, battery, fan and cooling system.
• Tow bar preparation. Please note, in some instances it is not possible to retrospectively fit a tow bar if the car is not fitted with tow bar preparation at Factory. Please speak to your Retailer to confirm the exact towing eligibility.

 

Is the tow bar preparation a ECU update only or it includes different components such as higher output alternator, bigger battery or different cooling system? Is it worth going with factory option vs aftermarket?

 

I just got a vRS Wagon and I went with a factory tow bar. It's nicely hidden and as it's stated in the description, it can be released from the boot. I went with the factory one because a good aftermarket one together with factory preparation would cost almost as the factory tow bar itself. 
I heard that with factory preparation you also get different components. But I'm not 100% sure about this.

The factory towbars are great but they are way too expensive for me.

 

I tow a trailer but only locally a few times a year and I change car every few years so its not worth it.

 

You can get a witter aftermarket one installed for less than the cost of just the 'prep' and if you want to you can pay about £100 more to have it wired in properly to the electrics. I did it myself once (on a kodiaq) but it was a lot of effort and I'd never bother again, just splice it into the rear lights. The only annoyance with doing that on my current car (leon) is that when reversing you have to remember to turn off the auto braking.

 

I have an octavia on order and will be buying a £250 detachable swan neck kit again and fitting it myself. If you shop around you can normally find about £400 fitted