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Topic: Skoda Roomster Towbar Question

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seanfdh

04/7/2017 at 7:30pm
Location: North Devon
Outfit: Robens Fairbanks Coleman Phad X3

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We've just bought a new-to-us Roomster. Don't want to tow anything but the OH would like a towbar mounted bike rack which obviously needs a towbar fitting.
A quick bit of googling suggests that a flange towbar with seven pin electrics can be done for three-hundred-odd quid. But then says 'Ah, but you have reversing sensors so you must have a swan-neck removable towbar at six-hundred odd quid'. Is this true?
I'm assuming that we don't need 13 pin electrics as we're never going to tow a caravan with this car. Any advice would be appreciated. Car's seven years old so any effect on resale value is going to be negligible.

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Sean

Grampian91

04/7/2017 at 9:28pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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No. They will always say you need a detachable or swan neck to cover themselves.

As long as the electric socket is folded back it should not hinder the sensors.

seanfdh

04/7/2017 at 9:32pm
Location: North Devon
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Thanks.

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Sean

LlaniDavis

04/7/2017 at 9:52pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
Outfit: Skoda Yeti SEL4x4 +Bailey Ranger 460-4

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If the job is done properly, with a proper towing loom, then the car will need to be re-coded and that will sort out the rear parking sensors.

Go for the 13 pin system, they are more secure and seem to suffer less corrosion.

seanfdh

05/7/2017 at 12:18am
Location: North Devon
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What does more secure mean?

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Sean

diesel steve

05/7/2017 at 5:51am
Location: fife
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Quote: Originally posted by LlaniDavis on 04/7/2017
If the job is done properly, with a proper towing loom, then the car will need to be re-coded and that will sort out the rear parking sensors.

Go for the 13 pin system, they are more secure and seem to suffer less corrosion.

don't waste your cash,a by-pass relay is all that is needed to power up a 7 pin connector

LlaniDavis

05/7/2017 at 12:39pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
Outfit: Skoda Yeti SEL4x4 +Bailey Ranger 460-4

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Quote: Originally posted by diesel steve on 05/7/2017
don't waste your cash,a by-pass relay is all that is needed to power up a 7 pin connector

Fine, but using one of those does not allow the full towing changes to be made to the computer, from turning off the rear parking sensors to extending the alarm system to the towing electrics.

And in one case on a Yeti resulted in the Lighting Control Unit burning out, at a cost of over £250.

If you want to do a job, do it properly and do it once.

LlaniDavis

05/7/2017 at 12:40pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
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Quote: Originally posted by seanfdh on 05/7/2017
What does more secure mean?

It means that the plug is more securely held in the socket, so can't fall out if pulled or snagged.

seanfdh

05/7/2017 at 3:21pm
Location: North Devon
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Ahh, OK. We're not actually planning on towing anything. Just using a bike rack.

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Sean

LlaniDavis

05/7/2017 at 11:41pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
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You still need the electrics reprogramming to take into account the extra load the light bar will take, plus if you thread the trailer lead through the bike wheels or frames then if it is disconnected the alarm will sound, so providing you with additional security for your bikes.

HumberWolf

06/7/2017 at 3:18pm
Location: North Lincolnshire
Outfit: Elddis Xplore 495

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To specify dedicated wiring and reprogramming is going to make this a very expensive bike rack, especially on a car which is seven years old. As already stated, a by-pass relay with a 7 pin socket is quite adequate and, if fitted by a competent fitter, will not cause any problems. The constant beep of the sensors, when reversing with bikes attached, is a minor inconvenience.

If you are concerned that a flange tow bar will affect the sensors, you could specify a fixed swan neck as there is a wide range of bike racks that can be attached to the towball. I carry two bikes on my rack and it is very secure.

Regarding your quotes, a detachable towbar is normally about £100 more than a fixed one.

Francais

06/7/2017 at 3:30pm
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I would go for the Swan Neck, especially if using a tow ball mounted bike rack.

The Thule and Westfailia tow ball mounted bike racks come with 13pin connector and are often bundled with a 7pin adaptor.

Personally I would go for 13pin wired as 7pin for trailer only, the bayonet twist action connection is so much better than the old 7pin.

Bypass electrics is fine, for older cars, although dedicated cam bus electrics is the best way to have the electrics done.

Skoda Bob

08/7/2017 at 2:08am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4

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The reversing sensors only work in reverse, so and normal lowball and electrics will work just fine

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