I have had quotes from small independent, national chain and skoda dealer. It seems to be the going rate based on the skoda forums.
If anyone has any fitter reccomendations then please let me know. I'm in East anglia but travel all over the place.
I was going to get either twin electrics or 13 pin depending on what the folding camper has. If I get the towbar before the FC then I'll probably go for 13 pin.
Yep Roystonv.
I bought my Trailer back in 2009 and that came with 13pin connector, so since then always had a Single 13 Pin socket on the towbar.
Even my towball mounted Thule EuroClassic 902 bike carrier that I bought back in 2004 came with 13 Pin connector, which adds reverse light over single 7 pin connectors.
Also using dedicated electrics, incorporates the cars management system, so on the firms VW Golf that I drive the rear parking sensors are disabled when the Trailer is hitched, and the Stop-Start function is disabled, and the the car alarm intregates the Trailer, should the connector be unplugged.
And when I select reverse an image of a Trailer comes up on screen, instead of the parking sensors screen, also should a light bulb on the Trailer fail, it's location is shown via the car's MFDU.
If it is dealer fitted twin electrics using specific loom it will probably have single 13pin socket as standard anyway. How old is your fc? if newer than around 2009 it will probably come with single 13pin plug as the UK caravan industry standardised on the Euro 13pin connection after this date.
Ours is a company car, Skoda Octavia, I don't know how much the towbar cost because after the problems with the previous car OH asked for it to be supplied with a towbar and the leasing company sorted it out. It is a detachable with a 13 pin socket.
Our last Skoda ended up costing us several hundred pounds, first getting the towbar fitted, then as much again to get the electrics sorted out afterwards! Plus a lot of messing about and arguing with Skoda and the leasing company. I don't know if Skoda are particularly bad for this, but modern car electrics in general are complicated and computer coded, and if it isn't your car you don't have a lot of options!
We have a Kia sportage ( mobility)?and had to use a reputable dealer , £225 for single , had many quotes closer to £300. Was told same towbar for all folding campers ,me hitch was good to know.
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Thanks Alison, I had read a few horror stories about skoda dealers messing things up which is why I have also chosen to have it fitted by someone I can trust. They also wanted about £850 as a factory option.
The cheapest I have heard of for this car, comparing like with like with dedicated electrics and the recode is around £600 but this was a couple of years ago and further north.
I would still be happy to hear reccomendations for any tow bar fitters.
Definately double electrics - need to remember that FC's don't have in line chargers to charge leisure batteries when on site with EHU - so need that charge whilst driving.
If you're looking for a fitter, I used Safeguard Motors in Peterborough, £125 to fit, which was a lot less than Peugoet wanted (and they use this firm to fit them anyway). The towbar was a special as mine is a Hybrid car and included the Peugeot wiring kit and 13pin socket. My TT has a 7-pin plug so I bought an adapter for a few quid online.
Quote: Originally posted by alisonme on 17/9/2014
Ours is a company car, Skoda Octavia, I don't know how much the towbar cost because after the problems with the previous car OH asked for it to be supplied with a towbar and the leasing company sorted it out. It is a detachable with a 13 pin socket.
Our last Skoda ended up costing us several hundred pounds, first getting the towbar fitted, then as much again to get the electrics sorted out afterwards! Plus a lot of messing about and arguing with Skoda and the leasing company. I don't know if Skoda are particularly bad for this, but modern car electrics in general are complicated and computer coded, and if it isn't your car you don't have a lot of options!
Before buying our replacement ASX I looked at the Skoda Yeti. There was a £200 charge for "towbar preparation" before you bought a towbar or had it fitted. Humph! As I said above there was no preparation for a towbar on our ASX, it simply bolted in place, all the mountings were present, and there is a dedicated loom which simply plugs in. No computer coding needed.
As above definitely recommend the 13 pin over the old school UK single or twin setup. Make sure you ask for all the pins to be wired up otherwise the more unscrupulous will quote to wire up 7 and then give you a last minute call to offer all 13 to be wired up.....for an extra £50/70.
I had a detachable towbar with 13 pin fitted to a new Mazda 6 in March. Organised through the supplying dealer but fitted by an independent fitter prior to the cars delivery. They charged the dealer £470 inc. VAT. Mazda electrics were used, what I don't know is whether they were free issued to the fitter by the dealer or included in the amount above.
If you're looking for a fitter, I used Safeguard Motors in Peterborough, £125 to fit, which was a lot less than Peugoet wanted (and they use this firm to fit them anyway). The towbar was a special as mine is a Hybrid car and included the Peugeot wiring kit and 13pin socket. My TT has a 7-pin plug so I bought an adapter for a few quid online.
Hi, sorry to bring this post to the front again, but need advice. Got another car, Nissan qashqai, which is still under warranty. I need a towbar to tow 2014 pennine fiesta. I am having to go to my local Nissan dealer, because other towbar fitters weren't that keen on fitting and it possibly interfering with warranty. The car has reversing cameras and well I just daren't take the risk of upsetting warranty, it would be sods law. The camper has a 13 pin fitting on it. Previously my car had a 7 pin and I had an adaptor, now I knew that wouldn't charge the leisure battery. Does the 13 pin charge the leisure battery or would I need a twin socket for that. Am not at home at the moment and cant even remember if camper has a double socket. I didn't think it did. Am a single female who is absolutely useless about electrics and anything mechanical and would appreciate your advice
Elaine
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Topic: Twin or Single Electrics for Towbar
