We are getting close to ordering a vRS TDi.

As very keen caravanners we need a towbar.

I don't want a removable bar, would prefer a fixed swan necked bracket or a standard bolt on ball, has anyone managed to get a dealer to fit anything other than a removable?

Then there is the thorny subject of electrics.

I don't want 13 pin electrics, I want twin seven pin sockets! I know that all UK made caravans will have 13 pin plugs from the 2009 model year, but our van is a 2007 and it is unlikely we will change again till 2010/11 when our new car is likely to be ready for a change too. So again who has managed to get a dealer to fit twin electrics?

I know I could get one fitted after buying the car, but there is no where local that does it and as teachers we don't always have time during term to take it elsewhere during the week.

I'm surprised you don't favour a removable bar, I always think the fixed ones look awful.

Given the availability of the parts below your dealer should be able to arrange fitting.

Skoda list a genuine fixed bar -

Fixed Towbar

Part Number: ZGB1Z3092101

Suitable For: New Octavia Hatch, Estate and vRS

Information: maximum weight: up to 1800 kg for a trailer: max. vertical static load on ball pin: 100 kg

Product Details: Fixed towbar for customers who wish to have their towing electrics sockets fixed permenantly to a mounting plate. Use in combination with supplementary towing electrics ZGB1Z3055205C/D. Not suitable for models with factory fit rear parking aid (the aftermarket parking aid kit can be recoded to ignore the bar)

RRP:

Thanks for that.

I don't mind having my towbar on display.

If it helps keep other drivers away from the back of my car so much the better!

Do you not think it'll spoil the whole look of the back of a vRS?? Bad enough you have to attach a tin tent to it in the first place

Flynntech posted about a removable one he fitted

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/fitted-skoda-detachable-towbar-my-rs/62247

Do you not think it'll spoil the whole look of the back of a vRS?? Bad enough you have to attach a tin tent to it in the first place

Heyyyyyyyyyyy!

Thanks for that.

I don't mind having my towbar on display.

If it helps keep other drivers away from the back of my car so much the better!

Strange that people stay clear of a big lump of metal sticking out the back isn't it.......that's why mine stays on

We are getting close to ordering a vRS TDi.

As very keen caravanners we need a towbar.

We've already got a VRS tdi hatch with a detachable towbar - currently we only tow a small trailer but we're looking at caravans at the minute and we're getting conflicting figures on what we can tow. What size van do you currently have, what MTPLM - looks like we're going to have to stick with a 2 berth due to the VRS only having a kerbweight of 1500kg - or so we've been told!!

Any advice would be welcome - btw the VRS in one hell of a car and I'm sure will tow really well!!

Cheers

MD

I don't want 13 pin electrics, I want twin seven pin sockets! I know that all UK made caravans will have 13 pin plugs from the 2009 model year, but our van is a 2007 and it is unlikely we will change again till 2010/11

It is a very simply modification to change the caravan to a single 13pin plug - it's a much neater and more secure connection...

It is a very simply modification to change the caravan to a single 13pin plug - it's a much neater and more secure connection...

I am aware of that, but raises issues if it has to be towed by another car or has to be recovered. We are having standard 12n/s sockets fitted.

We've already got a VRS tdi hatch with a detachable towbar - currently we only tow a small trailer but we're looking at caravans at the minute and we're getting conflicting figures on what we can tow. What size van do you currently have, what MTPLM - looks like we're going to have to stick with a 2 berth due to the VRS only having a kerbweight of 1500kg - or so we've been told!!

Any advice would be welcome - btw the VRS in one hell of a car and I'm sure will tow really well!!

Cheers

MD

We will be towing a 2007 Bailey Ranger Series 5 460/4, a 4 berth with a fixed bed, max weight of 1184Kg.

The limiting factor as you say is that the vRS is relatively light, 1515Kg for the estate, but also the maunfacturers limit of 1400Kg.

If you stick to a max of 1400Kg, which is a bit over the magic 85% limit, you could tow a fair few 4 berth vans, mostly entry level models, and a few more luxurious 2 berths.

I can highly recommend Bailey, this is our fourth, we may change to a Pageant next year if we can get the right deal, the Monarch, Bordeaux and the Champagne are all within the vRS's 1400Kg max limit.

If you need any more advice just holler!

We are getting close to ordering a vRS TDi.

As very keen caravanners we need a towbar.

I don't want a removable bar, would prefer a fixed swan necked bracket or a standard bolt on ball, has anyone managed to get a dealer to fit anything other than a removable?

Then there is the thorny subject of electrics.

I don't want 13 pin electrics, I want twin seven pin sockets! I know that all UK made caravans will have 13 pin plugs from the 2009 model year, but our van is a 2007 and it is unlikely we will change again till 2010/11 when our new car is likely to be ready for a change too. So again who has managed to get a dealer to fit twin electrics?

I know I could get one fitted after buying the car, but there is no where local that does it and as teachers we don't always have time during term to take it elsewhere during the week.

The dealer fitted a witter fixed flange type to my car, which is fine for me - I can put a stabiliser bracket and bumper protector on which would be difficult with a swan neck.

Do you have reversing sensors? Some people seem to have no problems with them and towbars, but some have. I was told they would be fine, but sometimes the towball is detected, esp when it has been in the sun (doesn't happen a lot then:-)

They fitted double sockets. Again, fine for me, but things to watch out for here include:

Is it wired for post Sep 1998 caravans. Mine was wired for 1979 - 1998 caravans, which means the fridge in a 2004 'van doesn't work until you wire pin 7 with an earth. This seems to be quite common - my last car (Rover) was also done this way by the dealer in 2003.

I had to adjust the smart relay in the boot to get the fridge to stay on and not pulse on and off. I suspect the feed for the fridge is coming from the boot "cigarette lighter" power socket and the wiring maybe isn't heavy enough? (Or it could be the 'van wiring) Anyway the fridge works fine now, but there is the danger of the car battery running down if you overdo lowering the voltage the relay switches on at.

Make sure you get some sort of indicator warning (eg buzzer). They didn't do this initially, but when I said I had to have some way of telling if the indicators were working (without getting out and looking), they agreed to fit a buzzer.

My Scout has a dealer fitted 13 pin with the double socket 12 pin adapter and it looks very neat indeed, even the way the electric socket swings up and under the bumper. Cost best part of

The dealer fitted a witter fixed flange type to my car, which is fine for me - I can put a stabiliser bracket and bumper protector on which would be difficult with a swan neck.

Do you have reversing sensors? Some people seem to have no problems with them and towbars, but some have. I was told they would be fine, but sometimes the towball is detected, esp when it has been in the sun (doesn't happen a lot then:-)

They fitted double sockets. Again, fine for me, but things to watch out for here include:

Is it wired for post Sep 1998 caravans. Mine was wired for 1979 - 1998 caravans, which means the fridge in a 2004 'van doesn't work until you wire pin 7 with an earth. This seems to be quite common - my last car (Rover) was also done this way by the dealer in 2003.

I had to adjust the smart relay in the boot to get the fridge to stay on and not pulse on and off. I suspect the feed for the fridge is coming from the boot "cigarette lighter" power socket and the wiring maybe isn't heavy enough? (Or it could be the 'van wiring) Anyway the fridge works fine now, but there is the danger of the car battery running down if you overdo lowering the voltage the relay switches on at.

Make sure you get some sort of indicator warning (eg buzzer). They didn't do this initially, but when I said I had to have some way of telling if the indicators were working (without getting out and looking), they agreed to fit a buzzer.

Thanks, life long caravanner so have it all covered! I hope. Asked all the questions before ordering and spoke to the fitters myself to make sure. We are having a westfalia fixed swan neck bracket. We use an Alko hitch head stabilser so that should be fine. It will have an indicator warning and wiring appropriate to our 2007 Bailey. OH and also a break away cable point.

Just can't wait to get it hitched up and have a try!

We are having a westfalia fixed swan neck bracket.

Pah!!!! :eek:

Next you'll be telling me you're putting caravan club badges on the grille - oh yeah that's right you are!!! :P

Oh yeh got a nice shiney new Caravan Club grille badge all ready for fitting Saturday afternoon! Happy days!

Just think Stu after Saturday this baby will be weighing down the back of a vRS!

AAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Smash the Tin Tent!!!

They are a menace to motorists!!

Oi! Cheeky!

Oi! Cheeky!

you tell him Marcus!!!:P

Clarkson and Co had the best idea - Burn them!!

Jeremy Clarkson has been seen on several caravan sites, he is full of poo.

Anyway I don't care, its a great life and we love it, happy caravanning to all you enlightened ones! The rest of you don't know what you're missing!

Sounds good Marcus, look forward to following you through Glencoe towing my Glider.

I'll race you!

No contest, 10 meter trailer weighing 700kgs should be ok if not windy