Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors?

wonderbadger · 14-04-2008, 13:09

I'm looking at fitting a towbar on my 04 plate mk2 Octy and am wondering if there are any fixed towbars which are less likely to cause issues with the reversing sensors. I have been doing some searches on the forums but other than a few comments I haven't found an answer.

Ultimately I just need a bar that is functional, it doesnt have to be stylish or removable (unless having a fixed bar with reversing sensors is no good).

I assume that for the best chance for the bar to be ignored a swan-neck bar would be best?

Does anyone have any experience of the fixed bars with sensors and have any useful advice?

rkenny · 14-04-2008, 13:48

The fixed towbar supplied by Skoda should be okay. My Scout has rear parking sensors and they are not triggered by the towbar fitted by the dealer.

wilkopilko · 14-04-2008, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkenny

The fixed towbar supplied by Skoda should be okay. My Scout has rear parking sensors and they are not triggered by the towbar fitted by the dealer.

Still waiting for 'em you know......

fortyfirs · 14-04-2008, 16:15

Have fixed towbar by Witter and on our 55 plate A5 Elegance it causes problems such as continouse to bleeping when nothing is there. Solution , get Skoda detachable or Witter etc detachable.

Niall · 14-04-2008, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortyfirs

Have fixed towbar by Witter and on our 55 plate A5 Elegance it causes problems such as continouse to bleeping when nothing is there. Solution , get Skoda detachable or Witter etc detachable.

I've been led to believe that the solution is to use Skoda's CAN compliant loom and have the car recoded so that it "knows" that a towbar is there? I might be wrong. It certainly isn't cheap as a bypass relay by quite some way. (Though I would like to know what, apart from £13, the difference is between the ZGB and EEA looms)

A Skoda dealer "local" to me has quoted £550 inc fitting to fit a detachable bar to my Scout with the official loom and single electrics. As I'll have the car for a while I'm prepared to stump up so that it all works at it's best. Still one problem though - still need to find £550..............

Niall

Birdwell L&K · 14-04-2008, 17:08

I have a detachable brink fitted to mine, but causes no problems when its fitted at all. Hope this helps.

Niall · 14-04-2008, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdwell L&K

I have a detachable brink fitted to mine, but causes no problems when its fitted at all. Hope this helps.

Is that with the towbar electrics being looked after by a Skoda CAN Loom or a bypass relay setup?

Niall

Tom_vRS · 14-04-2008, 17:25

A colleague has an Octavia Elegance with permanant Brink towbar and has no problems whatsoever. Looks quite tidy for an always there install too.

Niall · 14-04-2008, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom_vRS

A colleague has an Octavia Elegance with permanant Brink towbar and has no problems whatsoever. Looks quite tidy for an always there install too.

But what electrics did he have fitted?

Niall

trying not to sound like a broken (but inquisitive) record!

gillywibble · 14-04-2008, 17:33

I had a fixed towbar to start with but it caused intermittent problems. I now have a removable but bizarrely enough it doesn't set the sensors off when fitted.

Niall · 14-04-2008, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillywibble

I had a fixed towbar to start with but it caused intermittent problems. I now have a removable but bizarrely enough it doesn't set the sensors off when fitted.

I have a question.....................

wonderbadger · 15-04-2008, 13:36

Thanks for the replies so far

I second Nialls question though, for those saying that you had a detachable bar that caused no issues when it was in place, do you know which wiring loom you were using? Was it a full Skoda one or a bypass relay?

I have been searching on the VAGCOM forum and can't see how to tell the car that you have a towbar fitted, anyone have any advice on this?

Ants · 15-04-2008, 15:20

Might be a bit different on a Scout as the bar sits lower than the sensors, due to the ride height.

xtremity · 15-04-2008, 18:25

Hi all,

I have a Brink Fixed Towbar fitted to my 56 Reg Octavia Estate. I have had a look and the electrics are brink, and I had the swan neck bar fitted.

When I booked it in for a fitting, I was concerned about the reverse sensors, which they couldn't guarantee, and I had to sign to say I knew this and abou the Bumper cut (not visible unless you are under the car). The sensors do still work as before with no interference, the only thing to remember when needing them in close moves is that the bar is about an inch away on solid bleep.

The only other downside is when you are reversing the trailor the beep is very annoying, so no long reverses for me!

Pictures below, I paid for reference £175 inc Vat for everything fitted and took about 2 hours from drop off to collection. Using Indespension (if I can mention them?)

Hope this helps

Ian

mark antony · 15-04-2008, 20:08

I had a tow trust detachable flange towbar fitted to my 06 Elegance. Left in place it has caused no trouble at all. The advantage of this system is that if the fixed ball did cause trouble to your car, the detachable flange is a straight swap. All fitting and electrics are not affected.

Interestingly, it was fitted by a local mobile fitter who I’ve used many times over the last 20 years. He always fits all VAG cars WITHOUT any bypass. – Just a straight clip-in. The piece of kit he had was much more than the old scot locks clips (or however they’re spelt)

Since fitting, the car has been serviced and I specifically asked for the electrics to be vag com tested and they told be everything was fine.

Even thought the following firm didn’t fit the bar, they were most helpful in providing advice. Cheap too!

http://www.towbarsdirect.co.uk/homepage.htm

and

http://www.towbarsdirect.co.uk/products/towbarmakes.htm#TT

johnrussell · 09-06-2008, 20:23

I've just had a fixed Witter towbar with twin electrics, Alko towball and protective plate fitted by Fast Fit to my new Octavia Elegance 1.9TDi Hatchback.

At first I thought there was a problem - sensor would bleep every time the car went into reverse. Took it back to Fast Fit - first removed the tow ball cover (no change) and then after a brief discussion tried moving the "wings" of the protective plate back each side and, hey presto, no problem any more.

Regards

John R

Web Ferret · 13-06-2008, 20:01

I'm trying to order a bar for my Octy.
Dealer in Leeds needs some assistance about this.
What does he need to fit/do so the reversing sensors turn off when a trailer is connected?
Is it VAGCOM or CANBUS or both?

spencel · 03-07-2008, 11:27

I've a dealer fitted Brink & the sensors are fine with no caravan attached.
But; that bloody bleeping when reversing the van is very, very annoying. There seems to be no way of silencing it.

mdk1 · 03-07-2008, 14:29

We had that aswell, fixed it by getting a motor mover for the now departed 'van. best invention for a 'van ever. And yes i can reverse a car and 'van with no trouble.

I think the sensors can be turned off with vag-com when the electrics are plugged in.

rkenny · 03-07-2008, 16:09

Yes sensors can be switched off via VAG COM. I also got the dealer to disable the rear foglight when connected to the van to reduce the red glare when towing in the dark or in foggy conditions.

14-04-2008, 13:09	#1
wonderbadger Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 129 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? I'm looking at fitting a towbar on my 04 plate mk2 Octy and am wondering if there are any fixed towbars which are less likely to cause issues with the reversing sensors. I have been doing some searches on the forums but other than a few comments I haven't found an answer. Ultimately I just need a bar that is functional, it doesnt have to be stylish or removable (unless having a fixed bar with reversing sensors is no good). I assume that for the best chance for the bar to be ignored a swan-neck bar would be best? Does anyone have any experience of the fixed bars with sensors and have any useful advice?

14-04-2008, 13:48	#2
rkenny Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dundee Posts: 89 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? The fixed towbar supplied by Skoda should be okay. My Scout has rear parking sensors and they are not triggered by the towbar fitted by the dealer. __________________ Fabia 1.2 70bhp in Black Magic Pearl. Octavia Scout TDi in Satin Grey

14-04-2008, 16:15	#4
fortyfirs Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 112 Thanks: 17 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? Have fixed towbar by Witter and on our 55 plate A5 Elegance it causes problems such as continouse to bleeping when nothing is there. Solution , get Skoda detachable or Witter etc detachable.

14-04-2008, 17:08	#6
Birdwell L&K Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Barnsley Posts: 149 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? I have a detachable brink fitted to mine, but causes no problems when its fitted at all. Hope this helps.

14-04-2008, 17:25	#8
Tom_vRS Briskodaholic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fenland, Cambridgeshire Posts: 10,790 Thanks: 574 Thanked 362 Times in 244 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? A colleague has an Octavia Elegance with permanant Brink towbar and has no problems whatsoever. Looks quite tidy for an always there install too. __________________ 97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green. << Clickable for boring info. My Journal

14-04-2008, 17:33	#10
gillywibble Cuthbert Dibble Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Watching Tom peeping at Lady Godiva. Posts: 5,680 Thanks: 212 Thanked 190 Times in 153 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? I had a fixed towbar to start with but it caused intermittent problems. I now have a removable but bizarrely enough it doesn't set the sensors off when fitted. __________________ I drink, therefore I spam.

15-04-2008, 13:36	#12
wonderbadger Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 129 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? Thanks for the replies so far I second Nialls question though, for those saying that you had a detachable bar that caused no issues when it was in place, do you know which wiring loom you were using? Was it a full Skoda one or a bypass relay? I have been searching on the VAGCOM forum and can't see how to tell the car that you have a towbar fitted, anyone have any advice on this?

15-04-2008, 15:20	#13
Ants Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cruising the M65 Posts: 967 Thanks: 8 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? Might be a bit different on a Scout as the bar sits lower than the sensors, due to the ride height. __________________ Ants

15-04-2008, 18:25	#14
xtremity Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? Hi all, I have a Brink Fixed Towbar fitted to my 56 Reg Octavia Estate. I have had a look and the electrics are brink, and I had the swan neck bar fitted. When I booked it in for a fitting, I was concerned about the reverse sensors, which they couldn't guarantee, and I had to sign to say I knew this and abou the Bumper cut (not visible unless you are under the car). The sensors do still work as before with no interference, the only thing to remember when needing them in close moves is that the bar is about an inch away on solid bleep. The only other downside is when you are reversing the trailor the beep is very annoying, so no long reverses for me! Pictures below, I paid for reference £175 inc Vat for everything fitted and took about 2 hours from drop off to collection. Using Indespension (if I can mention them?) Hope this helps Ian

15-04-2008, 20:08	#15
mark antony Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cheshire Posts: 23 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? I had a tow trust detachable flange towbar fitted to my 06 Elegance. Left in place it has caused no trouble at all. The advantage of this system is that if the fixed ball did cause trouble to your car, the detachable flange is a straight swap. All fitting and electrics are not affected. Interestingly, it was fitted by a local mobile fitter who I’ve used many times over the last 20 years. He always fits all VAG cars WITHOUT any bypass. – Just a straight clip-in. The piece of kit he had was much more than the old scot locks clips (or however they’re spelt) Since fitting, the car has been serviced and I specifically asked for the electrics to be vag com tested and they told be everything was fine. Even thought the following firm didn’t fit the bar, they were most helpful in providing advice. Cheap too! http://www.towbarsdirect.co.uk/homepage.htm and http://www.towbarsdirect.co.uk/products/towbarmakes.htm#TT

09-06-2008, 20:23	#16
johnrussell Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? I've just had a fixed Witter towbar with twin electrics, Alko towball and protective plate fitted by Fast Fit to my new Octavia Elegance 1.9TDi Hatchback. At first I thought there was a problem - sensor would bleep every time the car went into reverse. Took it back to Fast Fit - first removed the tow ball cover (no change) and then after a brief discussion tried moving the "wings" of the protective plate back each side and, hey presto, no problem any more. Regards John R

13-06-2008, 20:01	#17
Web Ferret Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Barnsley Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? I'm trying to order a bar for my Octy. Dealer in Leeds needs some assistance about this. What does he need to fit/do so the reversing sensors turn off when a trailer is connected? Is it VAGCOM or CANBUS or both? __________________ Elegance 08 Estate 2.0 TDI - Metallic Silver, Child friendly version - blacked out rear windows, curtain airbags, boot liner, Isofix child seats

03-07-2008, 11:27	#18
spencel Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? I've a dealer fitted Brink & the sensors are fine with no caravan attached. But; that bloody bleeping when reversing the van is very, very annoying. There seems to be no way of silencing it.

03-07-2008, 14:29	#19
mdk1 go green Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rochester, Kent Posts: 3,752 Thanks: 99 Thanked 91 Times in 79 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? We had that aswell, fixed it by getting a motor mover for the now departed 'van. best invention for a 'van ever. And yes i can reverse a car and 'van with no trouble. I think the sensors can be turned off with vag-com when the electrics are plugged in. __________________ Mike. Mine Skoda Roomster 3 TDI in matallic Anthracite Grey MKLJK Swmbo's Skoda Fabia 2.0I Elegance in Dark matallic Blue MKLJK

03-07-2008, 16:09	#20
rkenny Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dundee Posts: 89 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Fixed towbar and Reversing Sensors? Yes sensors can be switched off via VAG COM. I also got the dealer to disable the rear foglight when connected to the van to reduce the red glare when towing in the dark or in foggy conditions. __________________ Fabia 1.2 70bhp in Black Magic Pearl. Octavia Scout TDi in Satin Grey

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