Hi , I've got an early 2004 Octavia 1.9 TDI hatch and I want to fit a towbar for towing a small trailer. My local dealer has quoted

Can recommend solent towbars if you're fitting it yourself. I got mine from there with double electrics-cheapest about really! Quick delivery too! This was my second towbar from this company. Came to about £115 supplied.

Not hard to fit if you're handy with a spanner and screwdriver, can't answer any of your wiring questions tho as had a mate to fit it. Don't think we had any specific kit but that was on a 2001 vrs.

Ian

Depends what type of towbar you want.......but have a look on e-bay most of the well known ones get sold on there and are reasonably easy to fit (brinks, towsure, etc. etc).....Skoda do do wiring kits that just plug in....they are expensive, but if you are unsure of the wiring then this may be the way to go...you may find the most difficult thing is to get the rear bumper off

Yes - that was my next question. I've got a Haynes manual but haven't dared look yet - it probably just says "remove rear bumper" - true to form.

I've checked one site and I can get a witter towbar, ball, bumper protection plate and plug-in vehicle specific loom for pretty much dead on 200 notes - is it worth paying £250 on top to have my dealer fit it? They said it was a 3 -4 hour job!

Has anyone done this themselves

I would seriously recomend the genuine wiring kit from a dealer. If you car is Octavia II then the wiring on the Octavia II is pretty complex and even if it's Octavia I then it'll still sve you aggro.

I bought mine from ebay for about £30..... worst bit was the wiring into the loom - as the socket had a loose wire and two wires has been transposed!!

Well - I've ended up ordering a genuine Skoda tow bar at £89 inc Vat and the genuine plug-in single electrics at £90 inc

This is no more than I was going to have to pay for any number of aftermarket bars so the deal's a goodun - All I've got to do now is fit it - ahem . . .!!!

It shouldn't be too bad, make sure you take your time and if unsure ask.