I've been expecting to post this summary since early June, but parts on back order delayed fitting until today. Richter Automotive in Milton Keynes had fitted the towbar to my previous VW in 2014 and so I went to them again. I ordered from Richter Automotive, in May, the supply and fitting of a Skoda Electric Swiveling Towbar, identical to what would be included on a factory order.  I have to compliment Richter Automotive on the customer service and workmanship. Due to some electrical parts being on back order with Skoda the fitting was delayed by 10 weeks,  Richter's Maxine kept me updated regularly and when the parts finally arrived shuffled other jobs around to fit my Karoq in on the first date I could drop it off.  Its a big job requiring rear seat removal,  rear bumper, boot trim and many pieces of internal trim to route the wiring from front to back. My Karoq was completed by the end of the day, everything was neatly back in place no mess, no rattles, however due to circumstances beyond Richter's control the towbar would not deploy. The  CANBUS coding supplied  with the towbar to activate deployment when the switch in the boot is pressed was incorrect. They have contacted Skoda/VAG for the correct coding and will come to my home to update the CANBUS coding when they receive  it. The exact same issue had occurred with an ID Buzz swiveling towbar the previous week, so I am confident  of a successful resolution.  

 

Edited 13 August, 20241 yr by thamestrader
Wrong file attached

What was the cost and did you have towbar prep from new?

Towbar prep was not something I could firmly establish from Škoda as being or not being on my car. The Plate with the weights has GTW which indicates it’s homologated for towing. I didn’t need the cooling upgrades (fan and grille changes) it’s a 2,0 TSI so no doubt has them as std. it did require all the wiring cables which suggests no Towbar prep. The delay was for one cable, I have wondered if that was the cable that’s fitted as std for Towbar prep now, which was perhaps why it was in short supply. Total cost was £1740, same price as the local dealer - I’d use Richter over the dealer for any job that requires removing and refitting the interior. It might seem expensive but a 2.0 TSI Sportline with towbar was over the RFL £40k threshold - so it was more cost effective to do a retro fit than buy an ex demo that had been built with the towbar, they are also rare although there was one available at time albeit another 4k over what I paid for mine.

Richter Automotive fitted the genuine  ŠKODA  towbar to my Yeti in 2012 , very friendly , professional and competent people 
 

On 14/08/2024 at 17:07, thamestrader said:

Towbar prep was not something I could firmly establish from Škoda as being or not being on my car. The Plate with the weights has GTW which indicates it’s homologated for towing. I didn’t need the cooling upgrades (fan and grille changes) it’s a 2,0 TSI so no doubt has them as std. 

 

I don't have the info for the 2.0TSI.

 

For other models

 

For the 1.5 the difference is the holder and fan.  The fan is actually the same rating but the holder allows more airflow when then fan is not running through an additional flap.

But I've not heard of a single issue of anyone towing without mods in the UK with Yeti or Karoq, petrol or diesel across this and caravanning forums in the last 15 years or so.

Update - The swiveling towbar is now working as expected. Richter got details from Skoda / VAG Technical, had the Karoq back this morning, checked the supplied wiring loom and then applied a new code from SKoda/VAG and it all works. Hadn't seen one before, pressing the button in the boot releases it and it swings down to be manually clicked into position, press the button to  release, it drops down and then push up and under to click into position out of the way. 

20240903_134319810_iOS.heic

Hi

I have an “Audi Protective Cap for trailer hitch swivel ball head” on mine when not in use , Audi part no 8r0803910

It is designed to let the water drain away when the ball is stored out of the way 

 

 

2 hours ago, Williami33 said:

Hi

I have an “Audi Protective Cap for trailer hitch swivel ball head” on mine when not in use , Audi part no 8r0803910

It is designed to let the water drain away when the ball is stored out of the way 

 

 

Thanks for that info - thats is what I shall get.

This is frustrating. It appears that Skoda have removed the Electric Swivelling Towbar as a retro fit option. My dealers parts department say it is not listed (I'm collecting a 1.5TSI DSG Sportline tomorrow and was hoping to have one fitted - the wait for a factory order was too long.

I contacted Richter Automotive too as recommended in this thread and they said that they can no longer find it listed either ☹️

It looks like I might have to settle for the Westfalia after-market removable one instead (and save a few quid in the process). TBF I was happy with the one fitted to my Yeti but was hoping to get the electric swivelling one.