How easy is it to self fit a tow bar (including 7pin electrics) to a 13plate hatchback octavia.

Are the mounting points already drilled in the chassis, or would there be measuring and drilling required, also are the electrics plug and play, or again is that something that needs sorting.

When I fitted a tow bar to my Felicia it was easy to do, but I'm guessing it's a different case with the Octavia.

Whilst doing some searches I notice that

@DanoHosko did it yourself, any advice.

Thanks.

11 hours ago, R_U_AFA said:

Are the mounting points already drilled in the chassis, or would there be measuring and drilling required

 

All towbars for 30 years or so have had to pick up on the vehicle manufacturers mounting points.

 

Some measuring, drilling and cutting of the rear bumper or its under valance may be needed to make clearance for the rearwards projection of the towbar.

 

11 hours ago, R_U_AFA said:

are the electrics plug and play, or again is that something that needs sorting.

 

That depends what electric kit you purchase and whether the vehicle left the factory with towbar preparation, a basic kit will need some very basic and easy connections to be made, the expensive vehicle integrated systems even if the fitting is plug in will not "play" without programming changes being made to the vehicles electronic systems.

 

Fitting the towbar will be as easy or easier on your Octavia than it was on your Fabia, as regards the towing socket it is for you and you only to choose the amount of grief and expense that you want to subject yourself to, don't be swayed by evangelists who having spent a small fortune want all others to do the same.

It all depends on your budget. Honestly (and it depends on how long you want to keep the car for) I would go for a genuine towbar. They are expensive but it integrates into the car's MIB system far better than any third party kit. It comes in two parts - the electronics harness and the second part is the towbar installation part (ideally go for a removable hook variant). Prices can be obtained from your local dealer.

I fitted my towbar including the full wiring installation and coding. Took time but was very DIYable.

 

There are some excellent posts in this forum which provided all the required info.

 

Good luck

On 27/12/2024 at 10:55, R_U_AFA said:

How easy is it to self fit a tow bar (including 7pin electrics) to a 13plate hatchback octavia.

Are the mounting points already drilled in the chassis, or would there be measuring and drilling required, also are the electrics plug and play, or again is that something that needs sorting.

When I fitted a tow bar to my Felicia it was easy to do, but I'm guessing it's a different case with the Octavia.

Whilst doing some searches I notice that

@DanoHosko did it yourself, any advice.

Thanks.

 

Hey dude! Sorry only just saw this

 

Mine was a genuine Westfalia towbar with the wiring harness so it was very much plug and play, and the mounting holes in the chassis were already there

 

Not sure about non-genuine I'm afraid!

 

My Octavia also had the towbar/trailer prep from factory so I didn't have to worry about wiring in the loom from the fuse box etc.

 

 

Essentially, all I did was jack it up, pull off the tail lights and bumper, fit the towbar, plug the harness in and then bolt the bumper back on 😄 didn't need any special tools although a bumper removal kit is handy!

 

 

I'm thinking of going down route of fitting just the towbar, and leaving the electrics for now, because I've checked and there is no factory fitted towbar prep.

It is a westfalia towbar I've seen for sale anyhow, so good to know.