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Towbar - main dealer or 3rd party?

  • 16-04-2021 2:19pm
    #1
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭


    I want to get a towbar fitted to my 2020 Passat GTE. The prices I got from the main dealer were -

    detachable towbar = 1200 inc vat & fitting
    retractable towbar = 1950 inc vat & fitting

    It does seem very expensive. I've looked online and I see you can get towbars cheaper than this. I'm just wondering though is there some additional benefit from getting a towbar from VW for a VW? or do I get the same or similar from a 3rd party who would sell and fit the towbar as well?

    I'm in Celbridge in Kildare if anyone has any recommendations on where to get it done?


«1

Comments

  • #2
    garv123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,576 ✭✭✭garv123


    Sesshoumaru wrote: »
    I want to get a towbar fitted to my 2020 Passat GTE. The prices I got from the main dealer were -

    detachable towbar = 1200 inc vat & fitting
    retractable towbar = 1950 inc vat & fitting

    It does seem very expensive. I've looked online and I see you can get towbars cheaper than this. I'm just wondering though is there some additional benefit from getting a towbar from VW for a VW? or do I get the same or similar from a 3rd party who would sell and fit the towbar as well?

    I'm in Celbridge in Kildare if anyone has any recommendations on where to get it done?


    Is it Solid gold?? :eek:

    I know a 2018 kuga was half that price third party, if thats any help.


  • #3
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    garv123 wrote: »
    Is it Solid gold?? :eek:

    I know a 2018 kuga was half that price third party, if thats any help.

    Possibly is gold plated at least :) But prices are not a million miles from the UK brochure prices


    550348.JPG

    But yeah I've googled and prices do seem a lot better from 3rd party suppliers/fitters. I haven't seen the swiveling/retractable towbar from a 3rd party yet though.


  • #4
    kirving
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,059 ✭✭✭kirving


    On a new car, go to the dealer. Last thing you want is some electrical problem in 2 years time being blamed on a bad towbar electrical installation.

    Have you a rear camera? They also have hitch assist if you do. Can the car park itself? If it can, it may also have trailer assist.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiiAQFQzaVE


  • #5
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    kirving wrote: »
    On a new car, go to the dealer. Last thing you want is some electrical problem in 2 years time being blamed on a bad towbar electrical installation.

    Have you a rear camera? They also have hitch assist if you do. Can the car park itself? If it can, it may also have trailer assist.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiiAQFQzaVE

    I don't see mention of trailer assist in my car. I do have a rear camera though and Park Distance Control. Looks like trailer assist could be activated through a software update.


  • #6
    kirving
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,059 ✭✭✭kirving


    Hitch assist would just be enabling a viewport in the reversing camera and associated option to select it, which VW software would do.

    Can the park itself normally? If so, my guess would be that the trailer assist for automatic parking would then be included if you get the towbar from VW.


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  • #7
    ec_pc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 449 ✭✭ec_pc


    Extortionate prices there from main dealer. Some dealers just get towbar specialists in to fit towbars, that's the case on our Sorrento, full warranty from Kia still applied, towbar was only €400.

    Priced a towbar from a tyre place on the Monread Road in Naas just last week for my sisters Jetta - €360 all in for fixed towbar


  • #8
    RosieJoe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,500 ✭✭✭RosieJoe


    I know on my Kodiaq it knows when a trailer is connected and adjusts engine behaviour and sensors accordingly. This was fitted by Skoda themselves. 3rd party fitting may not have this.


  • #9
    kirving
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,059 ✭✭✭kirving


    ec_pc wrote: »
    Extortionate prices there from main dealer. Some dealers just get towbar specialists in to fit towbars, that's the case on our Sorrento, full warranty from Kia still applied, towbar was only €400.

    Priced a towbar from a tyre place on the Monread Road in Naas just last week for my sisters Jetta - €360 all in for fixed towbar

    Does the €400 tow bar come with trailer hitch view, trailer park assist, trailer stability control?

    For a bike rack, OP would be made to go to VW, but if towing regularly in a new car, it could be worth it to have the OEM version.


  • #10
    forestgirl
    Registered Users Posts: 254 ✭✭forestgirl


    kirving wrote: »
    Does the €400 tow bar come with trailer hitch view, trailer park assist, trailer stability control?

    For a bike rack, OP would be made to go to VW, but if towing regularly in a new car, it could be worth it to have the OEM version.

    If its a new car or even a few years old I would go the dealer route


  • #11
    ec_pc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 449 ✭✭ec_pc


    kirving wrote: »
    Does the €400 tow bar come with trailer hitch view, trailer park assist, trailer stability control?

    For a bike rack, OP would be made to go to VW, but if towing regularly in a new car, it could be worth it to have the OEM version.

    Come on, of course it doesn't. But then the car doesn't have those options. OP asked for opinions, I am just saying there are cost efficient options out there that may or may not suit. Personally I find it hard to justify the VW price for a towbar and some electronics.


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  • #12
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,917 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    No way to argue that they are serious money towbars.

    That being said, the manufacturer one will work with park pilot and will not activate the sensors when the empty hitch is in view and also will not activate the sensors when a trailer is attached which a spurious one wont.

    It's also be a sin to get a really cheap spurious one fitted to a new car like that. Having someone who most likely isn't a qualified mechanic fitting the trailer socket with scotch locks and insulating tape. Having the reversing sensors going off every time they see the fixed hitch. Having a fairly ignorant looking fixed hitch on a modern car is unpleasant too IMO.


  • #13
    Ubbquittious
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,256 ✭✭✭Ubbquittious


    FooK!!

    I paid something like 140 quid for the one on my Hilux and I was still cribbing that I had to pay so much for a simple piece of steel


  • #14
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,063 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    In 2018 I was shopping for towbar for 2006 Honda CRV.
    Main dealer was over €1000.
    Indy towbar specialist was asking for €600 fitted and wired.

    Eventually I decided to buy towbar, plug and wires online (€120) and fit it myself.


  • #15
    Ubbquittious
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,256 ✭✭✭Ubbquittious


    CiniO wrote: »
    In 2018 I was shopping for towbar for 2006 Honda CRV.
    Main dealer was over €1000.
    Indy towbar specialist was asking for €600 fitted and wired.

    Eventually I decided to buy towbar, plug and wires online (€120) and fit it myself.


    Auto-Hak Slupsk?


  • #16
    soundman45
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 315 ✭✭soundman45


    380 fitted with electrics done on Ford Kuga here.


  • #17
    Odyssey 2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,065 ✭✭✭✭Odyssey 2005


    RosieJoe wrote: »
    I know on my Kodiaq it knows when a trailer is connected and adjusts engine behaviour and sensors accordingly. This was fitted by Skoda themselves. 3rd party fitting may not have this.

    Skoda whilst the car was being built ?. If it was the dealer 99%sure a 3rd party fitted it.


  • #18
    Wailin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,432 ✭✭✭Wailin


    If I were you OP I'd ignore the advice from posters to go with the dealer and pay through the teeth for a 'fancy' towbar. Malcolm towbars in dublin do good quality detachable swan neck for around 4-500 fitted. Nice and neat and does the job perfectly. You can remove it and the car looks clean again. I had one fitted to my previous 5 series and found it great.


  • #19
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,917 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    It's considerably cheaper to go that route but it's not as good a job and it's not as functional.


  • #20
    Odyssey 2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,065 ✭✭✭✭Odyssey 2005


    Toyotafanboi wrote: »
    It's considerably cheaper to go that route but it's not as good a job and it's not as functional.

    How do ?. I've had a few bars fitted by independents and all worked perfectly. I've had two fitted by Skoda main dealers, I had to bring both back to have wiring issues rectified.


  • #21
    Wailin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,432 ✭✭✭Wailin


    Toyotafanboi wrote: »
    It's considerably cheaper to go that route but it's not as good a job and it's not as functional.

    Ah that's nonsense TFB, it's easily as good a job and of course its functional! It's a towbar, nothing more nothing less.

    I'd also trust a company that fit towbars for a living over a dealership 100%.


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  • #22
    kirving
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,059 ✭✭✭kirving


    ec_pc wrote: »
    Come on, of course it doesn't. But then the car doesn't have those options. OP asked for opinions, I am just saying there are cost efficient options out there that may or may not suit. Personally I find it hard to justify the VW price for a towbar and some electronics.

    I think it's just worth pointing out that that calling the dealer extortionate, and then giving a price for €400 implies that both are similar products when they're not.

    No question, it's a lot of money, but the OP's car was €45k and is just a year old. IMO it's worth the premium price to make the most of the car's potential features.
    Wailin wrote: »
    Ah that's nonsense TFB, it's easily as good a job and of course its functional! It's a towbar, nothing more nothing less.

    Do you get all of the same functionality in terms of trailer assist, camera integration, and stability control from the aftermarket model? VE are selling a different product, which likely includes additional book time to program the ECU on top of fitting.


  • #23
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,917 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    Wailin wrote: »
    Ah that's nonsense TFB, it's easily as good a job and of course its functional! It's a towbar, nothing more nothing less.

    I'd also trust a company that fit towbars for a living over a dealership 100%.

    It's not really.

    I'm not knocking Malcolms as a business but i've dealt with them plenty of times and put their stuff right plenty of times.

    They send out someone who isn't a qualified mechanic to chop a nick out of your bumper and scotch lock a wiring kit into your tail light wiring loom and remove and replace your bumper bar.

    Your parking sensors wont be aware of it, you CAN system may not agree with it, if they do fit a CAN controller i've seen them fitted outside of the vehicle where it can and does get wet and if i'm being a bit snobby those Witter hitches, or the fixed ones at least, look cheap. That is all before you dont have backing of the manufacturer on your 50k car.

    It'd be grand 20 years ago on an Escort or a Corolla of the time but it's really not the done thing on modern yokes. It's cheaper and functional but it's not as reliable in it's installation, it's not as functional when it's fitted and the kits are bulky looking.

    To say they are every bit as good is nonsense. They aren't. They are ok atbest and cheap but being cheap is about the only reason they sell.


  • #24
    newmember2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,599 ✭✭✭newmember2


    Toyotafanboi wrote: »
    It's not really.

    I'm not knocking Malcolms as a business but i've dealt with them plenty of times and put their stuff right plenty of times.

    They send out someone who isn't a qualified mechanic to chop a nick out of your bumper and scotch lock a wiring kit into your tail light wiring loom and remove and replace your bumper bar.

    Your parking sensors wont be aware of it, you CAN system may not agree with it, if they do fit a CAN controller i've seen them fitted outside of the vehicle where it can and does get wet and if i'm being a bit snobby those Witter hitches, or the fixed ones at least, look cheap. That is all before you dont have backing of the manufacturer on your 50k car.

    It'd be grand 20 years ago on an Escort or a Corolla of the time but it's really not the done thing on modern yokes. It's cheaper and functional but it's not as reliable in it's installation, it's not as functional when it's fitted and the kits are bulky looking.

    To say they are every bit as good is nonsense. They aren't. They are ok atbest and cheap but being cheap is about the only reason they sell.

    To be fair, VAG or whoever do not make towbars, and the OEM fitted one is available for any one to purchase with all the modules and proprietary wiring looms/functionality included. The dealer offers nothing above a competent fitter other than added costs IMO.


  • #25
    Irish Steve
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 6,522 Mod ✭✭✭✭Irish Steve


    The issue with newer cars is not the mechanical bar as such, it's down to the type of electronics that are installed. It needn't be that new either, had to sort out a 2014 Transit Connect recently, and there is a very specific kit for that, CAN bus connected, and the location of the connector to attach the wiring is behind the trims that are adjacent to the front sliding door, and even then, there are variants depending on which engine is fitted, and that also relates to the connector for the CAN bus connect, and the right kit for the vehicle is not cheap.

    On newer vehicles, the kits can be even more complex, and can require dealer level software to install the kit, unrelated but relevant, one of our locksmith suppliers can't provide replacement keys for VAG at the moment, as VAG have locked out all non main dealer access to their computer systems, and if that scenario is replicated to other areas of the vehicle, upgrading the on board computers to recognise the trailer systems may not be possible for third party suppliers.

    I find myself wondering where this is all going, given the legal implications for open access to some parts of the vehicle, but I'm sure that VAG have a good legal argument lined up, given the strife they were in with emissions not that long ago.

    It may well be the thin end of the wedge, a trailer (or caravan) on the back of a hybrid or all electric vehicle is going to be a very different proposition to a trailer on the back of a petrol or diesel engined vehicle, as the electronics are very different, and braking is not the traditional disc based system, a heavy trailer or caravan on the back of a car with regenerative braking is going to be a very different propsition to the same combination on an IC engined vehicle, and getting a towing combination moving will be a different issue, given the extra loading imposed, if the electronics are not correctly managed by both the computers and the driver, there could be all manner of issues as a result.

    Shore, if it was easy, everybody would be doin it.😁



  • #26
    RosieJoe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,500 ✭✭✭RosieJoe


    Odyssey 2005 wrote: »
    Skoda whilst the car was being built ?. If it was the dealer 99%sure a 3rd party fitted it.

    Came out of the factory fitted


  • #27
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    Thank you for all the advice. It was interesting to read the differing opinions. It gave me a good bit to think about and discuss with my wife. I got the car in July last year, so to me it's not even one year old yet. I have done a bit of research and I think I probably wouldn't be happy with a lot of the 3rd party towbars I've seen online. Just from the aesthetic point of view, the detachable ones I've seen seem to connect horizontally to the car. So when detached, you still have a connector plate (or whatever it is called?) hanging down. I've watched the YouTube videos of the VW detachable towbar and it's completely hidden when detached as it attaches/detaches vertically behind the rear bumper.

    Add to that the advice re the electronics and I'll probably go for the VW detachable. I have contacted another VW garage near me though to see if they can do it at a better price. Hopefully I can order on Monday at least. I'll post some pictures when I get it fitted. Thanks again for all the advice!


  • #28
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,917 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    newmember? wrote: »
    To be fair, VAG or whoever do not make towbars, and the OEM fitted one is available for any one to purchase with all the modules and proprietary wiring looms/functionality included. The dealer offers nothing above a competent fitter other than added costs IMO.

    What is the point you are making there? The bulk of the price of those main dealer tow bars is not in the fitting.


  • #29
    Odyssey 2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,065 ✭✭✭✭Odyssey 2005


    Sesshoumaru wrote: »
    Thank you for all the advice. It was interesting to read the differing opinions. It gave me a good bit to think about and discuss with my wife. I got the car in July last year, so to me it's not even one year old yet. I have done a bit of research and I think I probably wouldn't be happy with a lot of the 3rd party towbars I've seen online. Just from the aesthetic point of view, the detachable ones I've seen seem to connect horizontally to the car. So when detached, you still have a connector plate (or whatever it is called?) hanging down. I've watched the YouTube videos of the VW detachable towbar and it's completely hidden when detached as it attaches/detaches vertically behind the rear bumper.

    Add to that the advice re the electronics and I'll probably go for the VW detachable. I have contacted another VW garage near me though to see if they can do it at a better price. Hopefully I can order on Monday at least. I'll post some pictures when I get it fitted. Thanks again for all the advice!

    I have a Witter detachable bar on my Skoda. It's impossible to tell there is a towbar on it when the hitch isn't attached. The electrics swivel up out of view on a backing plate. Many hundreds cheaper than a main dealer for the exact same product


  • #30
    teediddlyeye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 429 ✭✭teediddlyeye


    Another one to put right from a towbar fitter mentioned earlier. Scotch locks galore!

    Came in not working, short causing the fused supply to the relay box to blow.

    Last image is a genuine wiring kit for a mk7 golf for comparison. Pins straight into the body control module. Anyone saying that a 3rd party is no different to what you get from a dealer hasn't a clue.

    "I never thought I was normal, never tried to be normal."- Charlie Manson



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  • #31
    Odyssey 2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,065 ✭✭✭✭Odyssey 2005


    teediddlyeye wrote: »
    Another one to put right from a towbar fitter mentioned earlier. Scotch locks galore!

    Came in not working, short causing the fused supply to the relay box to blow.

    Last image is a genuine wiring kit for a mk7 golf for comparison. Pins straight into the body control module. Anyone saying that a 3rd party is no different to what you get from a dealer hasn't a clue.

    The inventor,and anybody who uses those Scotch locks should be hung by their right nut.!


  • #32
    cal naughton
    Registered Users Posts: 402 ✭✭cal naughton


    sebdavis wrote: »
    You do realise with some of these installation you drop off at VW, they hope into the car and drive down to 3rd party, get installed and drive back. Or get the 3rd party to rock down and install.

    You would pay the 3rd party 500 quid but VW add on margin for helping you get it installed and also to have a VW receipt
    Nail on the head with this comment. Or else it will be the first year apprentice who will get the task to fit it.


  • #33
    sebdavis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 891 ✭✭✭sebdavis


    teediddlyeye wrote: »
    Another one to put right from a towbar fitter mentioned earlier. Scotch locks galore!

    Came in not working, short causing the fused supply to the relay box to blow.

    Last image is a genuine wiring kit for a mk7 golf for comparison. Pins straight into the body control module. Anyone saying that a 3rd party is no different to what you get from a dealer hasn't a clue.

    Come on now, that was done by some lad in a van

    You have plenty of 3rd part specialist companies who can install at a fraction of the price listed by the main dealer.

    Why not compare between those and main dealer? you won't because a lot of the time the main dealers are getting them in to install the tow bars for them.


  • #34
    kirving
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,059 ✭✭✭kirving


    sebdavis wrote: »
    You have plenty of 3rd part specialist companies who can install at a fraction of the price listed by the main dealer.

    Will the third party install OEM equipment for a fraction of the price? I very much doubt it.

    If trailer stability control or other advanced features are not of interest, then fair enough, but be open that it's not comparing like with like.


  • #35
    teediddlyeye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 429 ✭✭teediddlyeye


    sebdavis wrote: »

    You have plenty of 3rd part specialist companies who can install at a fraction of the price listed by the main dealer.

    Yes, because they're fitting relay boxes that cost a fraction of the price of control units.

    "I never thought I was normal, never tried to be normal."- Charlie Manson



  • #36
    Odyssey 2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,065 ✭✭✭✭Odyssey 2005


    teediddlyeye wrote: »
    Yes, because they're fitting relay boxes that cost a fraction of the price of control units.

    A 3rd party fitted installed my last towbar. He fitted the module box in your pic !


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  • #37
    sebdavis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 891 ✭✭✭sebdavis


    teediddlyeye wrote: »
    Yes, because they're fitting relay boxes that cost a fraction of the price of control units.

    No, but you are already aware of that

    If it wasn't the case we would have millions of cars/vans all across Ireland damaged for non main dealer installations. Guess what, we don't


  • #38
    kirving
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,059 ✭✭✭kirving


    Odyssey 2005 wrote: »
    A 3rd party fitted installed my last towbar. He fitted the module box in your pic !

    Which would look to be the exception, many would do the bare minimum to keep costs down as far as possible. Professional installation with OEM equipment would be fine, but there could be warranty implications should something go wrong. It would be up to the owner to prove it's not related.
    sebdavis wrote: »
    No, but you are already aware of that

    If it wasn't the case we would have millions of cars/vans all across Ireland damaged for non main dealer installations. Guess what, we don't

    It depends on what you term damage. You certainly wouldn't find an OEM on the planet using scotch lock connectors, and I certainly wouldn't be using them for something safety critical like brake lights.


  • #39
    teediddlyeye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 429 ✭✭teediddlyeye


    Odyssey 2005 wrote: »
    A 3rd party fitted installed my last towbar. He fitted the module box in your pic !


    Yes and you paid extra for it over a relay box.

    "I never thought I was normal, never tried to be normal."- Charlie Manson



  • #40
    teediddlyeye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 429 ✭✭teediddlyeye


    sebdavis wrote: »
    No, but you are already aware of that

    If it wasn't the case we would have millions of cars/vans all across Ireland damaged for non main dealer installations. Guess what, we don't

    Didn't say anything about damege. Have fitted loads of relay boxes myself and they're fine for older/cheaper cars.

    The point is there's lads here saying getting all oem equipment fitted by a dealer is a rip off cause a lad in a van can splice into the rear lights for half the price. The dealer/oem option its simply superior so its more expensive.

    "I never thought I was normal, never tried to be normal."- Charlie Manson



  • #41
    sebdavis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 891 ✭✭✭sebdavis


    teediddlyeye wrote: »
    Didn't say anything about damege. Have fitted loads of relay boxes myself and they're fine for older/cheaper cars.

    The point is there's lads here saying getting all oem equipment fitted by a dealer is a rip off cause a lad in a van can splice into the rear lights for half the price. The dealer/oem option its simply superior so its more expensive.

    Quit trying to go down the lad in the van route

    As I said plenty of 3rd party companies who can do a proper installation. You will also find the main dealers also use these companies to install two bars!!

    Nothing wrong with main dealers by the way, but trying to say they are exceptional and everyone else is poor is not true. Plenty of horror stories about main dealers as well.

    Main dealers live on the reputation of the brand, do they live up to the quality? That is very very debatable


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  • #42
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    Just to say I got a call back from another main dealer who I was asking to quote on the towbar installation. This one did break down the cost for me as well. He did say the cost of the components was the less significant cost. He also told me he had spoken to the their service department and that installation of the towbar would activate "trailer assist" in the software of the car. But the big cost would be labour as he said it was a 7 hour job to install the detachable towbar.

    Is that a bogus time estimate? It might be. I can't say for sure. But he seemed apologetic about the price, but insisted it was a 7 hour job to install the towbar, which was what made it so expensive.


  • #43
    sebdavis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 891 ✭✭✭sebdavis


    Sesshoumaru wrote: »
    Just to say I got a call back from another main dealer who I was asking to quote on the towbar installation. This one did break down the cost for me as well. He did say the cost of the components was the less significant cost. He also told me he had spoken to the their service department and that installation of the towbar would activate "trailer assist" in the software of the car. But the big cost would be labour as he said it was a 7 hour job to install the detachable towbar.

    Is that a bogus time estimate? It might be. I can't say for sure. But he seemed apologetic about the price, but insisted it was a 7 hour job to install the towbar, which was what made it so expensive.

    Thats a load of bollo*k :P
    If it does take them 7 hours they are fecking useless


  • #44
    teediddlyeye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 429 ✭✭teediddlyeye


    Sesshoumaru wrote: »
    Just to say I got a call back from another main dealer who I was asking to quote on the towbar installation. This one did break down the cost for me as well. He did say the cost of the components was the less significant cost. He also told me he had spoken to the their service department and that installation of the towbar would activate "trailer assist" in the software of the car. But the big cost would be labour as he said it was a 7 hour job to install the detachable towbar.

    Is that a bogus time estimate? It might be. I can't say for sure. But he seemed apologetic about the price, but insisted it was a 7 hour job to install the towbar, which was what made it so expensive.

    Depending on the car. If its prewired its straight forward enough. If not then a bit of interior trim needs to be stripped to run the loom to the body control unit. Can take a few hours if its someone's first time.

    "I never thought I was normal, never tried to be normal."- Charlie Manson



  • #45
    sebdavis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 891 ✭✭✭sebdavis


    I was just talking to friend last night, he wants to install a tow bar on a 2021 Skoda Kodiaq....so whats the crack with that? he has reverse sensors and camera


  • #46
    Plasmoid
    Registered Users Posts: 120 ✭✭Plasmoid


    Sesshoumaru wrote: »
    Just to say I got a call back from another main dealer who I was asking to quote on the towbar installation. This one did break down the cost for me as well. He did say the cost of the components was the less significant cost. He also told me he had spoken to the their service department and that installation of the towbar would activate "trailer assist" in the software of the car. But the big cost would be labour as he said it was a 7 hour job to install the detachable towbar.

    Is that a bogus time estimate? It might be. I can't say for sure. But he seemed apologetic about the price, but insisted it was a 7 hour job to install the towbar, which was what made it so expensive.

    Almost certainly not.
    If it's an OEM towbar, the manufacturer would have designed this kit and the car with it in mind. They need to make a profit. Having a mechanic spend 7 hours fitting towbars to each car is not profitable.

    But... this does remind me of an old adage. If it takes a new trainee mechanic 7 hours, and an experienced old hand 30 mins - should the experienced mechanic charge less, or the same?


  • #47
    RosieJoe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,500 ✭✭✭RosieJoe


    sebdavis wrote: »
    I was just talking to friend last night, he wants to install a tow bar on a 2021 Skoda Kodiaq....so whats the crack with that? he has reverse sensors and camera

    Just be aware that the 2.0 Diesel, 7 seater DSG is not homologated for towing. Skoda states that "No tow bar can be fitted to this vehicle, including fitment at factory or via a third party."


  • #48
    ec_pc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 449 ✭✭ec_pc


    RosieJoe wrote: »
    Just be aware that the 2.0 Diesel, 7 seater DSG is not homologated for towing. Skoda states that "No tow bar can be fitted to this vehicle, including fitment at factory or via a third party."

    I think DSG are ok to take towbar, manual are not? And this is only in 7 seater format. 5 seater is ok

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057718045


  • #49
    RosieJoe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,500 ✭✭✭RosieJoe


    ec_pc wrote: »
    I think DSG are ok to take towbar, manual are not? And this is only in 7 seater format. 5 seater is ok

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057718045

    Sorry, you are correct. DSG is fine.


  • #50
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    I got my car serviced plus roof bars & the towbar fitted. Happy enough with the end result. Towbar is easy enough to detach and attach. But probably won't be taking it off all that often. Electrical connector swivels up and down easy as well. It's a 13 pin connector and comes with an adaptor for 7 pin as well. It also has enabled trailer assist in the cars systems.

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  • #51
    beertons
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 23,151 ✭✭✭✭beertons


    Who did you end up getting it done with?


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