Hi everyone, 

 

Could anyone advise me whether a fitted towbar will intefer with the rear parking sensors of an Octavia Estate SE 2020 model, please?

 

Does the sensor pick up the bar? And if not how does the sensor work out the distance with the addtition of a towbar?

 

Would appreciate any gudance you can offer.

 

Thank you

Samantha

Hello, welcome to the forum.

So far as I am aware, with the correct towbar pack installed and a trailer is hitched, the reversing sensors are disabled and changes are made to the vehicles stability settings. My understanding is that this is done via the trailer electrical connections. 

Edited 2 May, 20241 yr by Warrior193
typo

Hi

 

Thank you for your response, I appreciate it.  How about when the trailer is unhitched?

The rear parking sensors should operate normally when the trailer is unhitched. I'm assuming that you are having an issue - is this towbar a recent install, is the trailer wiring module the full CANBUS type?

Hey.,

 

No I haven't had one fitted yet.  I am trying to work out whether I need a very expensive detachable one or whether a standard, fitted towbar with universal wiring and a 7 pin will do.

 

Only towing an erde trailer  for camping gear.  Detachable towbard, fitting and dedicated wiring is very expensive.

Hello Samantha, I believe that using a universal setup (bypass relay) as you describe will not be able to inform the vehicles CANBUS system when the towbar is in use - you may also encounter issues with the rear sensors and trailer light fault detection. Hopefully someone with better knowledge and experience can provide more advice.  

Edited 2 May, 20241 yr by Warrior193
added information

Thank you for your help.  I appreciate it.

Sam

1 hour ago, tcb1973 said:

Hey.,

 

No I haven't had one fitted yet.  I am trying to work out whether I need a very expensive detachable one or whether a standard, fitted towbar with universal wiring and a 7 pin will do.

 

Only towing an erde trailer  for camping gear.  Detachable towbard, fitting and dedicated wiring is very expensive.

 

 

Depending upon which engine is in your car having the integrated wiring with the 13pin socket could help the resale of the vehicle in future.

 

Decent cars that can tow caravans are getting harder to find every year.