Towbars and Trailer Hitch Preparation

[onyertod]

Reading past threads relating to towbars for the Octavia, there appears to have been some confusion as to supply, fitting and cost.

When checking the option codes on my wagon I came across 1D7 which decodes as "Trailer Hitch Preparation" - but I am trying to establish what that means when I come to fit a towbar.

If you have had a towbar fitted recently would you care to share your experience??

[aslsw]

I want/need a towbar too. I was told that there was preparation that was done at the factory for the towbar ie. the towbar is fitted in Australia, but prep work is required. As far as I can tell, it's got something to do with ensuring that the rear parking sensors don't interfere with towing.

[Transporter]

Maybe one of the dealers in the forum could tell us more about it. It could mean that there is already tow bar controller fitted and all is needed is bolt the tow

bar and plug the wiring from the socket on the controller box.

Anyway it would be handy to know.

[backdoc]

Reading past threads relating to towbars for the Octavia, there appears to have been some confusion as to supply, fitting and cost.

When checking the option codes on my wagon I came across 1D7 which decodes as "Trailer Hitch Preparation" - but I am trying to establish what that means when I come to fit a towbar.

If you have had a towbar fitted recently would you care to share your experience??

I've factory ordered mine but it was about $1800 from memory. Unfortunately I had to have it, but could've done without the cost! My uncle just ordered a new BMW X5 and I was complaining about the cost of my tow bar and his was the same. But, he said that with the BMW factory fit tow bar you get uprated rear springs as part of the package to cope with the towing load. He thought that maybe Skoda did something similar. Can anyone shed any light on this?

I know it can be fitted after on the Skoda as the dealer suggested leaving it until the vehicle to arrive just in case someone (e.g. Hayman Reece) made an aftermarket bar by that stage that would be cheaper.

[boris]

Trailer Prep

Trailer prep 1D7 is the wiring harness for the trailer control unit.

You will still need to purchase the towbar and control unit from a dealer and have them fitted. The purpose of trailer prep is to make the fitting of a towbar less labor intensive by eliminating the need to run wiring between the front and rear of the vehicle as its already installed when the vehicle is built.

I wouldnt go with an aftermarket bar as the trailer control module lets other systems in the vehicle (ESP, ABS, Park Assist and Steering) when a trailer is installed. It will also monitor the globes on your trailer.

Boris

[TuNeS]

I got my car fitted with a tow bar from new. the installation is professional and I can remove it without any trace which is something I like....towbars are ugly.

However, I need the dealer to see why my reversing sensors are still activated. To be honest, it doesnt bother me that much as I rarely reverse with the trailer on, but its something I will get them to fix at the next service. I also get the globe warning light coming on, however I researched that issue on the briskoda forums and it is normal and nothing to worry about.

[backdoc]

I got my car fitted with a tow bar from new. the installation is professional and I can remove it without any trace which is something I like....towbars are ugly.

However, I need the dealer to see why my reversing sensors are still activated. To be honest, it doesnt bother me that much as I rarely reverse with the trailer on, but its something I will get them to fix at the next service. I also get the globe warning light coming on, however I researched that issue on the briskoda forums and it is normal and nothing to worry about.

Did u hear anything about the rear spring thing I mentioned earlier? Are they any different with a factory ordered tow bar?

Also, how easy is it to remove? Simple as in no tools, or simple as in one or two bolts?

[dazag]

However, I need the dealer to see why my reversing sensors are still activated. To be honest, it doesnt bother me that much as I rarely reverse with the trailer on, but its something I will get them to fix at the next service. I also get the globe warning light coming on, however I researched that issue on the briskoda forums and it is normal and nothing to worry about.

I think you'll find they may not have re-programmed your ECU for the towbar fitment, I know one of the guys here had that same problem and it was a program change.

I've had a towbar fitted to my RS from new, I still haven't run it with a trailer on, until I've done a few more K's on it to run it in a bit more.

[TuNeS]

Did u hear anything about the rear spring thing I mentioned earlier? Are they any different with a factory ordered tow bar?

Also, how easy is it to remove? Simple as in no tools, or simple as in one or two bolts?

I will take some photos for you this afternoon. There is a 6mm allen key bolt which is more of a 'safety' as well as the quick release pin. I am not sure if you have to use it, however to be sure I have always kept it in and leave a 6mm allen key in the side pockets of the boot. Apart from that it is fast and simple to remove. Takes me about 2 minutes. Plus, there is no hole at the bottom of the rear bumper so when its off it looks clean.

[drew-8888]

anyone got pics of what the factory towbar looks like (on and removed)?
im pricing one up at the moment for my 09 vRS wagon.

cheers
Drew

[JP-009]

I ordered the towbar from the dealer when we bought the octavia - and yes, it did cost an arm and a leg. As far as I know, there was no uprating of springs at the back (to cope with the extra load). It was not mentioned at all during conversations about the towbar. The cost only covered instalation of the bar and electrical harnass. I have a strong feeling that this is not a 'factory' towbar, but I am still happy with it.

I've got pics of it somewhere her on the forum, will search later.

JP



The only problem with this bar is that it tends to reduce the clearance at the back, which is noticable over speed humps and steep driveways - it grounds out. I'm not worried about the bar, but it concerns me regarding the mounting points (in the bodywork).

[Swampy]

The towbar requires the wiring from the firewall to the rear end to be replaced, as a different loom is used for towbars. The total cost is about $1400 (including the loom). If possible order the bar at the time of the car as the loom is installed at the factory and not by a dealer's apprentice.

The bar can be removed, and even comes with a cover for the end, but is a complete PITA, especially when the dealer's apprentice mounts the electrical connector right next to the towbar. Personally I'd leave the towbar on for a little extra protection for the underside and rearside of the car (they do drag at times), but it does reduce the ground clearance slightly.

Depending on the wiring connector installation location, beware of it being snagged and broken (again a complete PITA). If you have a trailer with LED lights, you will need a 'load box' installed, if you have normal lights regular maintenance is required to avoid 'light bulb fault' warnings on the dash (stay away from the 'old Aussie trailer' with smashed/missing lights).

[aslsw]

The only problem with this bar is that it tends to reduce the clearance at the back, which is noticable over speed humps and steep driveways - it grounds out. I'm not worried about the bar, but it concerns me regarding the mounting points (in the bodywork).

Yes, I've noticed that the back end scrapes sometimes and have to remember to take any bump at an angle. I tried to remove the tow bar and it is impossible. And on the weekend I tried to remove the ball so that I could put on the bracket for the bike carrier and failed at that too - might need a long pipe to get a bit more leverage.

[MarksVRS]

I questioned the price of the tow bar when I ordered the car ($1800) and I was told it also covered reprogramming the computer so the reverse sensors were off when towing. I use a trailer on a semi regular basis and I have already had enough of the constant beeping when reversing. I will be demanding to have it fixed at the service, or else I will ask for them to take it off and give me a refund!

Yes I also have clearance issues although the front easily scrapes on steep drive ways so I thought it was just a problem of lower suspension....

[daft1014]

I got a quote for retro fitting our Octavia with "factory" towbar. Was quoted $490.00 for towbar and $800 for wiring harness. Cost of labour was $570. Seems rather expensive but I suppose that is the price for having fancy electronics in new cars.