Dealer and Towbar for 2.0 PD Hatchback

[kempus]

Just picked up my 04 2.0 Octavia Elegance (V nice, well chuffed). I asked the dealer to fit a towbar (ouch) and he replied saying that there was only one option. I checked by phone that is was detachable, he said yes. Once I got home and looked round the back (I was too excited to remember until then) and found it was a fixed towbar, grrrrrrrrrr. I checked with another dealer who had no problem with fitting a detachable one so I am off back to the dealer to complain.

Very happy with the car, no so with the dealer.

[kempus]

Sorted, they will swap it over - would you admit to your customer that you get confused over towbars: swan neck, fixed, detachable. I mean, c'mon, how hard can it be ...

[petethepet]

I had a detatchable one fitted a few months ago as part of the deal for buying the car. Dealer said I couldn't have a fixed one as it would interfere with the reversing sensors (it doesn't). They quoted £678 for fitting this. My local supplier quoted £270 for a non detatchable towbar

[katkins]

I had a fixed swan neck fitted to my last Octy 2 estate with twin electrics below the rear valance. Problem was the electrics grounded on speed bumps which bent them such that it was impossible to get the plugs in! On my second Octy 2 estate I risked a 'through the bumper' (ie, not a swan neck) with twin electics, one plug either side. It doesn't ground now, but the reversing sensors usually (but not always) complain!

[kempus]

Just hooked up the trailer, and guess what - the parking sensors aren't disabled in reverse. Before I go and moan at the dealer (AGAIN), does anyone know if the trailer needs anything specific connected to disable the parking sensor. Maybe in the 12S socket?

[Jackoskoda]

Originally Posted by kempus

Just hooked up the trailer, and guess what - the parking sensors aren't disabled in reverse. Before I go and moan at the dealer (AGAIN), does anyone know if the trailer needs anything specific connected to disable the parking sensor. Maybe in the 12S socket?

Interesting, is it possible to do this (maybe some coding change)? I have an after market detachable tow bar and it is annoying when I have the cycle carrier (with light board) or a trailer attached and it beeps constantly in reverse.

[kempus]

Just phoned the dealer, they can change this. But why they didn't do it while they were fitting the towbar in the first place... So far, Startin Skoda, Worcester have not filled me full of confidence as to their competence (and you should see the state of the underneath of the rear bumper - at least it's not visible). And to save time, when they fitted the correct towbar (the detachable one), rather than rewiring the electrics through the hole in the bracket, they just cut the bracket.

[mannyo]

Originally Posted by kempus

And to save time, when they fitted the correct towbar (the detachable one), rather than rewiring the electrics through the hole in the bracket, they just cut the bracket.

Wont this weaken the load capacity of the towbar.

[kempus]

Originally Posted by mannyo

Wont this weaken the load capacity of the towbar.

No, it's only the flimsy attachment with the 2 sockets on - but even so...

[hogar]

Tow bar in Britain as additional equipment seems awfully expansive. I got mine ordered altogether with a car and it costs 200 pounds as additional equipment. I bough it more like safety measure against the raisers behind. You can notice that the most of the cab drivers has tow bar on them for protection, at least in my country.

[cheezemonkhai]

By Bracket you mean the little pice of tin that holds the two plugs?

[kempus]

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

By Bracket you mean the little pice of tin that holds the two plugs?

Yep, not structural and doesn't affect the look. But for 700 pounds I expected a little bit of care!