RS Wagon Aftermarket Towbar Update

[IanHamilton]

Cranks I have dropped Auto towbars an email. They're also a hike for me but will see what they come back with

Hmm, I rang Auto Towbars and the guy said "What is a Skoda? Are you sure that is a car" The only way I could convince him was to get him to do a product search. Not too happy about going there is that is the expertise available

[Cranks]

Yeah me too.... wouldn't want to go there if they don't know our cars!

Hmm, I rang Auto Towbars and the guy said "What is a Skoda? Are you sure that is a car" The only way I could convince him was to get him to do a product search. Not too happy about going there is that is the expertise available

[dArK5HaD0w]

"What is a Skoda? Are you sure that is a car"

nahh.....its a toy u find inside a kinder surprise!!!

i'd run far far away from them.
fair enough they haven't worked on a kinder surprise.....errr.....skoda before, but for them to question u if that is a car?!?!?

[gldgti]

For anyones info:

I have a hayman reese one fitted to my octy and I have found that the bar scrapes a lot on steep entry's/exits. The HR bar has 2 lugs that angle down either side of the hitch that can be used to attach the saftey chain to - These have been gradually downsized on my car due to abrasion.

Recently I fitted some eibach pro-kit lowering springs (only to the front) which has helped a bit.

I've also found that towing and reversing is easy as with the car. mirrors are adequate for reversing even small trailers, alhtough my boat trailer without the boat seems to dissappear sometimes

[Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi]

i'd run far far away from them.
fair enough they haven't worked on a kinder surprise.....errr.....skoda before, but for them to question u if that is a car?!?!?

They fitted the towbar to my car - was nearly 2 years ago though! I think there maybe new owners/people at Auto Towbars.

I rang them back in April last year to fit a towbar to a Pajero and the price was quite good (less than $600). Priorities changed and I didn't get to fit the Pajero towbar till August/September. The price they quoted then was $300 more and when I quoted their original price the gal said no cannot do it for that price. I asked to speak to someone else re the price and was told that's the price. So I went elsewhere and got the towbar.

I have a hayman reese one fitted to my octy and I have found that the bar scrapes a lot on steep entry's/exits. The HR bar has 2 lugs that angle down either side of the hitch that can be used to attach the saftey chain to - These have been gradually downsized on my car due to abrasion.

The Best Bar towbar on my RS scrapes lots too and it has 2 angled lugs for the chains which hits the ground. The Ocy's have a long rear overhang and as the towbars come from under the bumper, not from the middle of the bumper like a Commodore, it'll scrape. To get a round this I take steepish driveways on an angle so it doesn't hit as much.

[wfdTamar]

Another option are this UK site:

PF Jones Witter Tow bars, Westfalia Towbars. Eberspacher Main Dealer they sell on ebay too (p.fjones), but they're cheaper from the site.

Skoda Towbars | Skoda Fabia Towbars | Skoda Felicia Towbars | Skoda Octavia Towbars | Skoda Roomster Towbars


Octavia wagon tow bars ranging from basic with bypass electrics for $422, to quality 1500kg with detachable neck and full Skoda style programmable electric 7 pin kit $763 (those prices include the 180 pound! shipping).

There is one $30 more expensive with a detachable flange style neck.

$85 more if you want 13 pin electrics (not sure why you'd want that? For brakes?).

[Umai Naa!!]

They're only fine if you want something that isn't ADR-approved.

[wfdTamar]

Yes, I suppose if there's an insurance claim that would be an issue. Shame as the better ones they have there look pretty beefy and good.

---------- Post added at 06:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:32 PM ----------

I think a lot of this has been done in this thread:
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...ion-37800.html

skoda octavia towbar rs
$449 Bar only (electrics extra). Swan neck style (not sure, but sounds like the neck/ball bolts on) (actually looking at the Fabia one it looks like a quick release neck).

Skoda Octavia Tow Bars Sydney
$1100 Hayman Reese - complete and fitted (says ECU protection style electrics)

http://www.towbarsperth.com.au/towba...ils.php?id=680
$1001 Same HR one as above - in Perth

[wfdTamar]

I think I found the mysterious 1D7 Trailer Hitch Preparation wiring.

Flickr: wfdonald's Photostream

First four photo's.

I think that plugs into the control box, then you have the wiring to the socket near the tow ball. That's all you should have to buy (if I'm right). Basically item 5N0-092-135 from this site (around US$300):

Discount Volkswagen Parts

[Umai Naa!!]

Yeah, you'll need that.

You'll also need to splice some CAN-bus wires up the front above the accelerator pedal, plus code the CAN-bas gateway to tell it it's now got a trailer electrics control module to communicate with.