Octavia Mk4 aftermarket towbar

[FlyingGecko]

As spanner555 said - a new bumper?  I've never known any towbar fitter say this. It's so easy to cut a hole in them underneath where it isn't seen for a removable towing ball. 

 

You can download the fitting instructions for a Westfalia kit - the same one fits several different cars in the VW group - and for every one it shows where to cut the rectangle.  On a couple it needs a new partial underpanel, but nothing like a full bumper.  I'm surprised a dealer is doing the fitting.  In my long experience main dealers of most mainstream makes don't do bodywork. Franchised main dealers do mechanical work, which this doesn't come under.  Whatever it is gets farmed out to specialists.  How many dealers do crash repairs? Their staff just aren't trained for it.  My own local and highly regarded Skoda dealer lets their premises be used for minor bodywork, but it's carried out by the likes of Chipsaway etc. Same for towbars - they use a completely independent supplier/fitter based about six miles away.

 

Even cars like the Kamiq, which the Skoda publicity material said towbars can't be fitted afterwards unless they've had the preparation done on the production line,  this isn't true - my local fitter said that's rubbish. 

 

I think your dealers are having you on.  At the very least I'd query that "cost price".

[FlyingGecko]

[spanner555]

Lol... Nice piece of workmanship. 

[Dr_Pepper]

Ok So I've just now today had my towbar fitted by PF Jones (was supposed to be a couple of weeks ago but finally came now), and this appears to be successful.

 

As above, the towbar itself and the electronics kits is exactly the same as the Mk3, and the Golf/Leon etc.

 

It cost £600, but I do feel a bit better about it now that the guy (freelance not actually employed by PF Jones) was at it for nearly 6 hours, most of which was fiddling with electronics. He mentioned the towbar prep and said it was much easier to fit to cars that had it (mine doesn't). But since they don't ask you or charge any different for cars that do and don't have this, that's not my problem so essentially the towbar prep is a waste of time.

 

No problems with the coding - I tested it pretty thoroughly, I had trouble with my last car every time you selected reverse and forgot to turn parking sensors off it auto-braked hard. When trailer attached graphics change on the screen, rear parking sensors and autobraking are disabled, rear foglight disabled (on car)

 

Certainly no problem with the bumper, there is a cutaway marked already, although he cut a smaller area than this (ie the minimum that was needed).

[spanner555]

That's good to know. Thanks for the update dr pepper. Good price too. 

[Nosnehm]

18 minutes ago, Dr_Pepper said:

Ok So I've just now today had my towbar fitted by PF Jones (was supposed to be a couple of weeks ago but finally came now), and this appears to be successful.

 

As above, the towbar itself and the electronics kits is exactly the same as the Mk3, and the Golf/Leon etc.

 

It cost £600, but I do feel a bit better about it now that the guy (freelance not actually employed by PF Jones) was at it for nearly 6 hours, most of which was fiddling with electronics. He mentioned the towbar prep and said it was much easier to fit to cars that had it (mine doesn't). But since they don't ask you or charge any different for cars that do and don't have this, that's not my problem so essentially the towbar prep is a waste of time.

 

No problems with the coding - I tested it pretty thoroughly, I had trouble with my last car every time you selected reverse and forgot to turn parking sensors off it auto-braked hard. When trailer attached graphics change on the screen, rear parking sensors and autobraking are disabled, rear foglight disabled (on car)

 

Certainly no problem with the bumper, there is a cutaway marked already, although he cut a smaller area than this (ie the minimum that was needed).

That really is brilliant news, so pleased for you and also for our other followers.  As for me, our Dealer has offered to fit one for me so awaiting their call to arrange same.  Well done

 

[Ajdude]

2 hours ago, Dr_Pepper said:

Ok So I've just now today had my towbar fitted by PF Jones (was supposed to be a couple of weeks ago but finally came now), and this appears to be successful.

 

As above, the towbar itself and the electronics kits is exactly the same as the Mk3, and the Golf/Leon etc.

 

It cost £600, but I do feel a bit better about it now that the guy (freelance not actually employed by PF Jones) was at it for nearly 6 hours, most of which was fiddling with electronics. He mentioned the towbar prep and said it was much easier to fit to cars that had it (mine doesn't). But since they don't ask you or charge any different for cars that do and don't have this, that's not my problem so essentially the towbar prep is a waste of time.

 

No problems with the coding - I tested it pretty thoroughly, I had trouble with my last car every time you selected reverse and forgot to turn parking sensors off it auto-braked hard. When trailer attached graphics change on the screen, rear parking sensors and autobraking are disabled, rear foglight disabled (on car)

 

Certainly no problem with the bumper, there is a cutaway marked already, although he cut a smaller area than this (ie the minimum that was needed).

That is good news and thanks for confirming it was done without a hitch (pardon the pun).  Hope for everyone else. 
 

Just to be clear it wasn’t the dealer who saying a new bumper but an independent!  

 

I suspect the dealer has mine for a number of days because they are doing it piecemeal rather than 6 hours straight of recoding. 

I’ll await to see how mine turns out when I get it back next week.  

 

[Dr_Pepper]

The new bumper thing might be related to another towbar manufacturer, because when I was trying to get quotes, one did tell me that, that was for a 'tow trust' bar. Mine is westfalia and as I said no issues cutting a hole in the existing bumper. Seems very bizarre. 

[FlyingGecko]

Bizarre indeed. PF Jones do other brands too, plus of course fixed flange bars etc.  But Westfalia are the Skoda preferred make and I can't see a Skoda dealer fitting anything else.  Westfalia are also at the top end of the price range and if they're fitting a cheaper and/or fixed bar then the price looks even worse. 

 

I'm only mentioning PF Jones as an example. I live  a few miles from Witter Towbars, a long established amnufacturer and supplier.  Even their own website offers a Westfalia one for the new Octavia.

 

But the Tow trust website does refer to a pre-cut tow panel....

[Ajdude]

2 hours ago, FlyingGecko said:

Bizarre indeed. PF Jones do other brands too, plus of course fixed flange bars etc.  But Westfalia are the Skoda preferred make and I can't see a Skoda dealer fitting anything else.  Westfalia are also at the top end of the price range and if they're fitting a cheaper and/or fixed bar then the price looks even worse. 

 

I'm only mentioning PF Jones as an example. I live  a few miles from Witter Towbars, a long established amnufacturer and supplier.  Even their own website offers a Westfalia one for the new Octavia.

 

But the Tow trust website does refer to a pre-cut tow panel....

Hi.  Think there is some confusion.  The independent that I have used previously told me about the bumper replacement.  I didn’t go with them. I’m pretty sure they were offering the tow trust bar. 

 

The dealer is installing a detachable Westfalia with 13 pin electrics.   I don’t believe they are replacing the bumper, just a cut.  

 

[FlyingGecko]

My apologies.

[Ajdude]

Hopefully final update.  Car was returned with a fully fitted westfalia detachable towbar.  Cost 750 pounds.  It took the Skoda dealer, who sub contracted it out to an independent 14 days from picking up my car and then dropping it back to me.  The actual fitting was straight forward, with a new cutaway panel that’s not visible under the bumper (no new bumper).   The coding however took hours to do! 
 

I’ve yet to fit either my trailer or bike rack to see what happens and if everything is coded properly.   First impression is that it seems to be based upon a test drive dropping the kids at school this morning!   Except for all the usual infotainment glitches!  
 

[TheUltraRunner]

Nice to hear that. I hope the coding is done properly as well.

 

[FlyingGecko]

"Except for all the usual infotainment glitches! "

 

ajdude - what's the problem? The general (and woeful) lack of physical buttons, or something else?

 

 

By the way - ASAP I'd get the tow ball out, bike rack on, plug it in, then check it all works properly. Lights, etc, but especially the disabling of the parking sensors when reversing.  My old Octy 3 took two coding sessions to fix that.

 

You don't want it to be wrong when you've loaded the bikes on for a good day out. 

Edited 10 March, 2021 by FlyingGecko

[Ajdude]

1 hour ago, FlyingGecko said:

"Except for all the usual infotainment glitches! "

 

ajdude - what's the problem? The general (and woeful) lack of physical buttons, or something else?

 

 

By the way - ASAP I'd get the tow ball out, bike rack on, plug it in, then check it all works properly. Lights, etc, but especially the disabling of the parking sensors when reversing.  My old Octy 3 took two coding sessions to fix that.

 

You don't want it to be wrong when you've loaded the bikes on for a good day out. 

Hi.  The usual glitches of freezing when selecting primary user, random messages telling me front assist sensor has failed, only to be fixed next time you start the car, phone not connecting...issues that everyone else is having judging by the other topics.....I've started to elevate the issue like a few others on here have to external bodies to see what can be done to resolve.

 

Don't get me started on the lack of buttons! I'm no technology ludite,  but car design is fast going the wrong direction, and it's making it dangerous have to try and prod a touchscreen when driving just to turn up the heating.  If this car didn't have Apple CarPlay, I'd consider it a disaster!....I'm told there's more code in a car then in program behind Facebook.   

 

Yes agree, I'll get the bike rack on ASAP...it's blowing a storm outside at the moment ☺️. 

 

 

[FlyingGecko]

Oh, right. I haven't been following much about the Mk 4 Octy.  Serious stuff, and good luck to all with those issues.

 

I'm with you and a huge chunk of the motoring press on the lack of physical buttons. I hate digging into on-screen menus. Fortunately my Karoq still has a proper volume button on the dash and the heating controls are all worked by a prod or two. 

 

Some of the latest "infotainment" (horrible word) screens still look like they've gaffer taped an Ipad to the top of the dash. 

[Ajdude]

So hopefully last word on the subject from me.  I tested the towbar with the bike rack (although current restrictions meant it was a drive around the block)!  
 

All systems seem to work fine with reversing sensors recognising something attached.  

 

The only side effect is that when attaching the tow bar it can set of the virtual pedal  causing the boot to open or close.  So you have to remember to deactivate this before using the towbar!  

[Coume]

10 minutes ago, Ajdude said:

So hopefully last word on the subject from me.  I tested the towbar with the bike rack (although current restrictions meant it was a drive around the block)!  
 

All systems seem to work fine with reversing sensors recognising something attached.  

 

The only side effect is that when attaching the tow bar it can set of the virtual pedal  causing the boot to open or close.  So you have to remember to deactivate this before using the towbar!  

 

May I ask if you went for a 7-pin or 13-pin?

 

I was planning to go for 7-pin as I'm only using a Thule bike rack but if I understood correctly, it needs a 13-pin to detect something is attached but I may be wrong here

[Ajdude]

1 minute ago, Coume said:

 

May I ask if you went for a 7-pin or 13-pin?

 

I was planning to go for 7-pin as I'm only using a Thule bike rack but if I understood correctly, it needs a 13-pin to detect something is attached but I may be wrong here

I went for a 13 pin version as that is attachment for my Atera bike rack.  Can’t advise on the 7 pin however.   But I’m when having it fitted they gave me the option of either.  
 

I do have a Erde trailer that has 7 pin I think so I’ll check to see if that is okay once I get an adapter.  

[skoda1982]

On 10/03/2021 at 09:06, Ajdude said:

Hopefully final update.  Car was returned with a fully fitted westfalia detachable towbar.  Cost 750 pounds.  It took the Skoda dealer, who sub contracted it out to an independent 14 days from picking up my car and then dropping it back to me.  The actual fitting was straight forward, with a new cutaway panel that’s not visible under the bumper (no new bumper).   The coding however took hours to do! 
 

I’ve yet to fit either my trailer or bike rack to see what happens and if everything is coded properly.   First impression is that it seems to be based upon a test drive dropping the kids at school this morning!   Except for all the usual infotainment glitches!  
 

The tow bar prep has updated radiator and fans and doesn't take hours to code its like plug and play

[FlyingGecko]

34 minutes ago, skoda1982 said:

The tow bar prep has updated radiator and fans and doesn't take hours to code its like plug and play

 

I never knew that.  I've just looked at the configurator and the Karok just mentions £190 for preparation.  I thought it might've been just wiring, but on the Kamiq pages it does actually mention uprated alternator, cooling system, reprogrammed ESC and a front stabiliser bar.  I supposed that's why when I was considering an ex-demo Kamiq last summer my dealer pointed out  the need for it if I wanted to fit a towbar for my bike rack.

 

I wonder if or how much of the above is fitted by aftermarket fitters, I haven't seen any reference to it by anyone?  Is that why the cost is so high?  I appreciate once a TB is fitted it could be used for serious towing, but is the prep needed if only putting a couple of bikes on the back?

[Nosnehm]

In our two previous Octavias we toured extensively in Spain with caravan - neither car had tow-bar and had tow-bar and electrics module fitted after market.  We suffered no stability issues nor did we overheat despite on a couple of occasion driving in temperatures in excess of 40 deg C and aircon on max.

[AviationNut]

This is conserning.  Just taken delivery of my Octavia IV 1.5 SEL and planning to have the towbar fitted by a chap in Clitheroe (Lancs) early next month.  TowTrust  Swan Neck bar and dedicated 13 Pin electrics for £435. Before I bought the car I spoke to the fitter as I'd noticed the comment about aftermarket towbar fitting in the literature. He said coding wouldn't be a problem as he does loads of VAG models especially Skodas as he gets most work through the local Skoda dealer. The main issue was the bumper cut as the Mk IV bumper differs in profile to earlier models but not a problem to him. He was actually recommend to me by Simpsons at Colne.

Get the feeling I should have kept the Karoq? Better have another chat with him. 

[FlyingGecko]

AviationNut is that a removable swan neck, or fixed?  - I suspect whichever, the cut is underneath where it can't be seen.

[Skodev]

3 hours ago, AviationNut said:

This is conserning.  Just taken delivery of my Octavia IV 1.5 SEL and planning to have the towbar fitted by a chap in Clitheroe (Lancs) early next month.  TowTrust  Swan Neck bar and dedicated 13 Pin electrics for £435. Before I bought the car I spoke to the fitter as I'd noticed the comment about aftermarket towbar fitting in the literature. He said coding wouldn't be a problem as he does loads of VAG models especially Skodas as he gets most work through the local Skoda dealer. The main issue was the bumper cut as the Mk IV bumper differs in profile to earlier models but not a problem to him. He was actually recommend to me by Simpsons at Colne.

Get the feeling I should have kept the Karoq? Better have another chat with him. 

I wouldn’t be concerned pal. 
Read AJDude’s last couple of posts on this thread, he seems to have the work done fairly successfully. 👍🏼👍🏼