Towbar revisited

[Smart1]

You won't have the mandatory compliance labels unless you get the version with the Australian product code. The bar itself woud be no different though.

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[Smart1]

Also, the dealer fitted one with the neck that fits the boot foam is from Prof Svar in the Czech Republic.

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[GTR27]

It's **** that we can physically buy the same bar, but due to a sticker we cant fit it.

Like the motorcycle helmet laws that we now have thankfully gotten rid of.

[Nyyyko]

The westfalia bar is approved for oz and has better specs. Has a 100 kg ball weight and 2000kg capacity. I know I know the vehicle is rated to tow 1400kg. Cost 560$. Is good.

[Smart1]

Is that the manufacturer rating or the bar rating? The Prof Svar bar is rated higher overseas as well.
Bear in mind you need the electrics too, ensuring that the reverse sensors turn off correctly and the stability control for trailers is enabled. Don't get one that taps into the lights.

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[GTR27]

The westfalia bar is approved for oz and has better specs. Has a 100 kg ball weight and 2000kg capacity. I know I know the vehicle is rated to tow 1400kg. Cost 560$. Is good.

Is the westfalia bar fully hidden with no bumper cutting like the factory bar? Does the ball sit in the foam piece in the boot, so you can tuck it away when you dont need it?

Biggest drawback of this car is the absolutely ****e towing capacity. 1500kg is ok, but 75kg ball weight is stupidly low. for a 1500kg capacity, it should be 125-150kg ball weight capacity, then the 1500kg would be useful.

I'll likely save some coin and just pay the extra for the fully integrated factory bar. But $1500 is a crapload of money to pay for such a wimpy bar and tow capacity.

[Guest001]

The westfalia bar is approved for oz and has better specs. Has a 100 kg ball weight and 2000kg capacity. I know I know the vehicle is rated to tow 1400kg. Cost 560$. Is good.

Just so you are aware The towing rules in Aus state the following You may tow the legal weight limit of the towbar OR the vehicles manufacturers towing limit WHICHEVER IS THE LESSER

So if vehicle is rated to 1400kg and you put a 2000kg towbar on you can still only tow 1400kg. The ball weight is what the vehicle manufacturer sets so if its 80kg its no use putting on a towbar with 125kg limit. Sad but thems the rules.

[zei20t]

how did you go with the wiring?

id rather a plug and play loom instead of rewiring the whole car

the one they supplied for your skoda, did it work correctly?

[zei20t]

so ive ordered a westfalia bar with westfalia electric canbus kit.

should be fairly straight forward to install. lets hope it arrives soon, even better if its before the trailer!

[Nyyyko]

Installed the wiring last weekend. Factory prep was already done so all I need to do was find a suitable location for the CANBUS module, plugging the existing red plug, and plug in the other end on the harness... Attach the grounds as well. The harness comes with a charging cable that there was no comparable connector to with the prep, so I just removed the plastic push fitting, attached the ground to a good chassis point, and routed the active wire through the bung and have it snuggled away inside the bumper so that later I can run a wire from the battery, with inline fuse, under the belly and connect, (pin 10). Everything works except the permanent positive (pin 9) and I'm not sure why. I took a look at the fuse box inside the car. The install instructions say that fuse 43,44,45 need a 15A installed... The tow prep had a fuse in 43 and 44 but not 45. I put one in and no diff. Tried to remove the fuse box to see if there is a wire running to that port but was finding difficult to remove, I was in a hurry, may try again when I have more time. I would have thought that the tow bar prep would have included all wires necessary. Any one know if the permanent positive in installed or not? Mostly there. Have a light caravan with 12v lights and fridge. Be nice to use them. I will install a couple of batteries and 200w pv cells at some point...

[LunchboxVRS]

Is the westfalia bar fully hidden with no bumper cutting like the factory bar? Does the ball sit in the foam piece in the boot, so you can tuck it away when you dont need it?

Biggest drawback of this car is the absolutely ****e towing capacity. 1500kg is ok, but 75kg ball weight is stupidly low. for a 1500kg capacity, it should be 125-150kg ball weight capacity, then the 1500kg would be useful.

I'll likely save some coin and just pay the extra for the fully integrated factory bar. But $1500 is a crapload of money to pay for such a wimpy bar and tow capacity.

Most of the mk3 Octavias Iv seen have the cut out already and it depends which one you chose as one pulls out and one is fixed. The pull out version comes with a little bag to hold it in and the plug folds up so you can't see it. I paid $1050 posted for the kit (pullout hook and wi ringing). Sokodas current price is $1700 for a Towbar fitted.

[Nyyyko]

Paid 740ish for removable ball and specific wiring harness. Installed myself. My local wanted ~400 for the install. Look under rear bumper in the centre... If there's a cut out then you don't need to cut out. The quick release neck version that I have does not fit into the spare space. Doesn't matter though.

[GTR27]

When you guys say already has the cutout - i've had a look under mine and there is no cut out?

Do you guys have RS models, or one of the "normal" models?

[LunchboxVRS]

When you guys say already has the cutout - i've had a look under mine and there is no cut out?

Do you guys have RS models, or one of the "normal" models?

RS, but Iv seen some non RS models in the car yard with the cut out.

[Smart1]

Both mine and my wife's have the cutout, i believe it is part of the towbar prep. The factory (Prof Svar) removable towbar fits into the foam in the spare, whereas the Westfalia doesn't.