Skodas and tow bars

[Smart1]

I think it does everything, including Fog and reversing lights. I'm not sure whether it has the dedicated permanent power supply, I know that was an extra option when I had my Superb.

Just checked, yes there are three wires missing from the 13 pin socket, these are the switched and permanent active and earth. I won't be using them so it doesn't really matter to me.

[R1 Crasher]

I think it does everything, including Fog and reversing lights. I'm not sure whether it has the dedicated permanent power supply, I know that was an extra option when I had my Superb.

Just checked, yes there are three wires missing from the 13 pin socket, these are the switched and permanent active and earth. I won't be using them so it doesn't really matter to me.

I have the Westfalia towbar fitted. I also have the 13 pin to 12 pin plug for our European caravan.It allows power for the fridge and caravan from the car through the permanent live.(Have the seperate auxlliary cable to connect direct to the battery). Works like an Anderson plug without the need for extra wiring to the rear of the car

[Gerrycan]

I have the Westfalia towbar fitted. I also have the 13 pin to 12 pin plug for our European caravan.It allows power for the fridge and caravan from the car through the permanent live.(Have the seperate auxlliary cable to connect direct to the battery). Works like an Anderson plug without the need for extra wiring to the rear of the car

Would it be impolite to ask how much your Westfalia towbar cost? Did you install yourself or was it done professionally?

[Lawson123]

For anyone else in my predicament try an Audi dealer, I sourced one through Sydney City Audi cost $94 (ouch)

Cheers,
Lawson

[brad]

For anyone else in my predicament try an Audi dealer, I sourced one through Sydney City Audi cost $94 (ouch)

Cheers,
Lawson

Could you have done it with a 13 round to 7 pin round adaptor (about $20) and a 7 pin round to 7 pin flat adaptor (another $20)?

Did you tear the spare wheel well apart & look in the deepest darkest confines of the glovebox & the storage area under the passengers seat?

Slightly better value for others in the same boat

Trailer Plug Adaptor 13 Pin Round to 7 Pin Flat

[Lawson123]

Could you have done it with a 13 round to 7 pin round adaptor (about $20) and a 7 pin round to 7 pin flat adaptor (another $20)?

Did you tear the spare wheel well apart & look in the deepest darkest confines of the glovebox & the storage area under the passengers seat?

Slightly better value for others in the same boat

Trailer Plug Adaptor 13 Pin Round to 7 Pin Flat

I did and ordered of fleabay as well but need to have it before the weekend or no track day which I'm within cancellation deadline for.

good find on that I scoured google and couldn't find anything

[R1 Crasher]

Would it be impolite to ask how much your Westfalia towbar cost? Did you install yourself or was it done professionally?

Got mine from PF Jones Witter Tow bars, Westfalia Towbars, Price Promise all Tow bars. Eberspacher Main Dealer

All up including the dedicated wiring about $800.I did the install myself.

Westfalia Australia will soon have this same bar available here,
but more expensive than the one I got even including the postage ,which took three days from ordering to arrive at my house!

[Gerrycan]

Got mine from PF Jones Witter Tow bars, Westfalia Towbars, Price Promise all Tow bars. Eberspacher Main Dealer

All up including the dedicated wiring about $800.I did the install myself.

Westfalia Australia will soon have this same bar available here,
but more expensive than the one I got even including the postage ,which took three days from ordering to arrive at my house!

Thanks, that is much more reasonable.

[Paul_R]

So has anyone found a 50mm square hitch option for the new Octavia? My wife wants a Thule swing away bike carrier, the type that swings with the bikes on it as opposed to tilting out of the way when empty, and they only work on hitch type bars. Can't fit them on a ball. Dealer says square hitch types don't comply with ADR for what it's worth. No idea if that's true or not. He is a car salesman.

[donweather]

So has anyone found a 50mm square hitch option for the new Octavia? My wife wants a Thule swing away bike carrier, the type that swings with the bikes on it as opposed to tilting out of the way when empty, and they only work on hitch type bars. Can't fit them on a ball. Dealer says square hitch types don't comply with ADR for what it's worth. No idea if that's true or not. He is a car salesman.

I've got a 40mm square hitch HR towbar on my Mk 2. But as I found out, the hitch bike carriers don't fit this as they use the 50mm square. You'll struggle to get a 50mm square hitch on an Occy as these are the higher load rated hitches for which the Occy isn't designed for. HR wouldn't even contemplate putting the 50mm hitch on mine and said only the Load Class 2 hitch (I think its class 2 - 40mm) is the only compliant towbar (square hitch) for the Occy.

[brad]

I can't see how it can't comply with the ADR. Don't most of the Heavy Duty HR towbars come with 50mm square hitches? That's what my wife's 18 month old Craptiva has.

[donweather]

I can't see how it can't comply with the ADR. Don't most of the Heavy Duty HR towbars come with 50mm square hitches? That's what my wife's 18 month old Craptiva has.

My understanding is that the Occy tow limits set by Skoda determine what HR can and can't put on the car. Skoda don't rate the Occy for HR's 50mm hitch. They only rate the Occy for the 40mm hitch (lighter ball weight and unbraked towing capacity).

This is what HR would only install on my Occy
Reese Light (RL) Towbars Class 3 - Reese Light (RL) Towbars Class 3 - hayman reese

Most larger vehicles get this HR installed, which is the 50mm hitch which is what most if not all hitch type bike racks fit.
Heavy Duty Towbars Class 4 - Heavy Duty Towbars Class 4 - hayman reese

And the HR webiste confirms that the above light towbar is the only part they will sell/install for the Occy.
Hayman Reese - 02729RLW - haymanreese

[wfdTamar]

So has anyone found a 50mm square hitch option for the new Octavia? My wife wants a Thule swing away bike carrier, the type that swings with the bikes on it as opposed to tilting out of the way when empty, and they only work on hitch type bars. Can't fit them on a ball. Dealer says square hitch types don't comply with ADR for what it's worth. No idea if that's true or not. He is a car salesman.

There's a Westfalia bike carrier (BC 60) that fits on the gooseneck ball type tow bar. Swings down and has light and number plate bar. Pretty sure I found it from OS for around $500-600.

Cycle Carrier BC 60 – Westfalia-Automotive

One Australian place that has them (not sure of price, I think around $900!)
Westfalia | Melbourne Towbars

[Paul_R]

I thought as much. Thanks. I'll have to look for another bike rack option that can tilt or swing off a ball fitting. Most tilt options say the bikes must be taken off first, as does the Thule one, but then the instructions go on to describe how to do it with the bikes on. It does have a picture of an arm with very big bicep beside that diagram though...

BTW I need a 4 bike rack.

[brad]

Ah.
So the salesman made a statement of fact but wrongly attributed the reason why.