Hi all

 

For those with the 1.5TSi facelift and without towbar prep.  Do you have a GTW figure on the weight plate?

 

Second large figure on the weight plate. (Plate for reference, not actually mine)

Edited 28 April, 20242 yr by logiclee

I have a 2023 spec Karoq without Towbar prep and the VIN plate has a GTW on the second line 4120kg (its a 2.0TSI DSG Sportline 4x4). I did quite a bit of research before I bought mine because a I will be fitting a towbar. As you have a GTw figure then you can legally tow braked up to 1500kg.  If you not seen them there are some useful posts regarding Tow Bar preparation and it actually includes, from memory its a wiring loom front to back, additional coding for the CANBUS for braking, sensors etc, changes to the front grill, and I think alternator and radiator fan. In case its of any interest I have found my local VAG  Retro Fit specialists fit the Skoda factory fit electrical swiveling towbar.

3 minutes ago, thamestrader said:

I have a 2023 spec Karoq without Towbar prep and the VIN plate has a GTW on the second line 4120kg (its a 2.0TSI DSG Sportline 4x4). I did quite a bit of research before I bought mine because a I will be fitting a towbar. As you have a GTw figure then you can legally tow braked up to 1500kg.  If you not seen them there are some useful posts regarding Tow Bar preparation and it actually includes, from memory its a wiring loom front to back, additional coding for the CANBUS for braking, sensors etc, changes to the front grill, and I think alternator and radiator fan. In case its of any interest I have found my local VAG  Retro Fit specialists fit the Skoda factory fit electrical swiveling towbar.

 

Thanks,

 

That's not actually my plate, it was just for reference.

 

I've seen a few Octavia petrols with 0 on the GTW plate which means aftermarket towbars cannot be fitted.

 

I pick my Karoq up on Wednesday but totally forgot to check the GTW figure.

 

Worryingly the brochure states.

 

12 hours ago, logiclee said:

 

Thanks,

 

That's not actually my plate, it was just for reference.

 

I've seen a few Octavia petrols with 0 on the GTW plate which means aftermarket towbars cannot be fitted.

 

I pick my Karoq up on Wednesday but totally forgot to check the GTW figure.

 

Worryingly the brochure states.

 

My local Skoda main dealer previously advised fitting an aftermarket towbar may invalidate the manufacturers warranty.

 

My car is a 2023 1.5 TSi manual which I ordered without towbar prep.

 

I had intended using the towbar to facilitate carrying bikes, but gave up on the idea, despite PF Jones telling me it was feasible.

 

More here: 

 

I'll check the plate on my car tomorrow and will report back👍

Edited 28 April, 20242 yr by pinkpanther

9 hours ago, pinkpanther said:

My local Skoda main dealer previously advised fitting an aftermarket towbar may invalidate the manufacturers warranty.

 

My car is a 2023 1.5 TSi manual which I ordered without towbar prep.

 

 

 

To be fair most manufacturers will say the same with aftermarket towbars and I certainly agree if bypass relays are used and cuts to wiring are made.

 

It is a grey area, if Skoda have given the car a GTW figure then it is homologated to tow that weight whatever Skoda may say. Dedicated vehicle specific electrics should not require modifications to wiring looms.  

 

I'd run it by my local dealer who we've had 16 cars from first. I doubt there'll be an issue.

On 28/04/2024 at 23:34, pinkpanther said:

My local Skoda main dealer previously advised fitting an aftermarket towbar may invalidate the manufacturers warranty.

 

My car is a 2023 1.5 TSi manual which I ordered without towbar prep.

 

I had intended using the towbar to facilitate carrying bikes, but gave up on the idea, despite PF Jones telling me it was feasible.

 

More here: 

 

I'll check the plate on my car tomorrow and will report back👍

Sorry for the delay. 

 

On 29/04/2024 at 09:12, logiclee said:

 

To be fair most manufacturers will say the same with aftermarket towbars and I certainly agree if bypass relays are used and cuts to wiring are made.

 

It is a grey area, if Skoda have given the car a GTW figure then it is homologated to tow that weight whatever Skoda may say. Dedicated vehicle specific electrics should not require modifications to wiring looms.  

 

I'd run it by my local dealer who we've had 16 cars from first. I doubt there'll be an issue.

It was my local main dealer who raised the concern regarding an after market towbar and implications for the manufacturer warranty. 

 

I was told in the event of any issue relating to the cars electrical systems they would require the towbar removing before investigating under warranty. 

 

PF Jones were planning on fitting the manufacturer specific wiring and told me they have the capacity to code the car. 

 

In the end it seemed to be too much hassle, so I cancelled the towbar, especially as I'd specified the 5 year warranty. 

 

Be interested to hear what advice you are given as I suspect we use the same Main dealer? 

16 hours ago, pinkpanther said:

It was my local main dealer who raised the concern regarding an after market towbar and implications for the manufacturer warranty. 

 

I was told in the event of any issue relating to the cars electrical systems they would require the towbar removing before investigating under warranty. 

 

PF Jones were planning on fitting the manufacturer specific wiring and told me they have the capacity to code the car. 

 

In the end it seemed to be too much hassle, so I cancelled the towbar, especially as I'd specified the 5 year warranty. 

 

Be interested to hear what advice you are given as I suspect we use the same Main dealer? 

 

Well collection day today and yes I do have a GTW figure so an aftermarket towbar can be fitted.

 

 

Talking to the service manager he more or less stated the obvious, ensure the dedicated wiring is plugs and sockets only and no cable splicing of existing looms. If any defect occurred that was the fault of the towbar it would be at my cost.

 

I didn't get into a deep debate around the extra cooling mods included in the towbar prep, I've seen this discussed on many VAG forums across the main four brands and even Porsche.  It gets really messy very quickly but legally as long as your are not exceeded the four plated weights then the manufacturer cannot void the warranty. How that would ever be proven I don't know but this has been a topic for VAG cars for decades.

 

Not sure if you're already sorted but I can recommend Ultimate Towbars based in Sheffield (but fitting across various counties including the Sherwood Forest area).   They were very competitive with their quote, when I spoke to them in advance they gave me confidence they knew their stuff, I was pleased with the result and I've had no issues thus far.