[Slaphead]

My Yeti is fitted with an official Skoda tow bar with removable ball at a substantial cost of around £450, fortunately thrown in during the final "haggle". It is extremely neat and leaves no sign of the tow bar when the ball is removed and stored in the purpose made recess under the boot floor.

I used it today for the first time and discovered the ball height is far too high for my trailer, which has full size road wheels and has been used with a variety of 4 x 4 vehicles over the last 25 yearswithout a problem.

There is no height adjustment on the tow bar and the trailer tows very much nose up, and making loading it very awkward. The trailer does not tow well unloaded because of the nose up position.

Has anyone else encountered this problem? Perhaps Skoda have set the height at some standard caravan height caravan, although I have towed both caravans and my trailer in the past with the same vehicle and never had a height problem.

The only solution I can think of is to fit a substantial packer between the trailer tow hitch and the hollow square section member.

 

[wakev]

Have a look through this thread on another forum, may give you a few answers.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/296794-height-to-top-of-westfalia-detachable-towball/

 

[Slaphead]

Thank for the info. It appears it is quite a common problem with no real solution. I originally asked the dealer to fit a traditional fixed tow bar but he said it would interfere with the reverse assist censors as the generally project more behind the vehicle.

That would have given me the chance to use a drop plate if I had a height problem.

 

[Epicyclic]

We have the standard tow hitch and, tbh, haven't noticed it being particularly high. I have an old un-braked trailer tent, without the tent. I use for light duties (tip etc) and have also towed a braked heavy 4 wheel trailer (see piccy in my L8HNB thread in the gallery) as well and it was fine.

I'd look to fit a spacer, as you mentioned, between the tow hitch and trailer tow bar provided it won't interfere with any brakeing system.

Be interested to hear how you bet on.

 

[Cornishman53]

It seems that the Skoda dealers standard answer regarding anything other than approved Skoda towbar (Westfalia) is that it will affect reversing sensors. I have a Witter detachable with a jaws and ball which has no effect on the sensors whatsoever. Anyone ordering a Yeti ought to consider the varied options of the Witter detachable, but Skoda electrics.
As stated above by wakev that thread well covers the subject!

 

[Tick Tock]

Posts from 'Slaphead & Cornishman53' say the same as the Skoda dealer I'm buying from, that a fixed tow-bar will affect the reversing sensors.Strange that does not affect my present car, plus I've seen Yeti's for sale with a fixed tow-bar.
It feels that the dealer does not want to do the work, they are happy to steer me to a company that will fit the tow-bar.33 days and counting for my Yeti.

 

[Epicyclic]

The ball on our tow bar stays on and it has a cover, it does not affect the reversing sensor. Put a trailer on and reverse and the warning hooterstays on...

 

[The Hood]

Were the Yetis for sale with afixed bar "pre owned"? the very first Yetis did not have reverse sensors. I found this out when I responded to an advert for a tow bar, it turned out to be a fixed hitch and had been fitted to something like the second Yeti imported which did not have reverse sensors.

 

[Cornishman53]

Re fixed tow bar.
Not as Tick Tock is reading my post, right the opposite.The dealers are saying that fixed towbars will affect the sensors but my Witter with jaws and ball does NOT affect the sensors as dealers would have you believe .
My tow bar was fitted by Skoda dealer too!

 

[JohnHB]

My tow bar does not affect the reversing sensors either. It was fitted by the dealer and is one of those removeable ones but I leave it on all the time - can't tell you the make but I can find out if anyone wants to know. The power socket slides into the bumper when not in use but again does not interfere with the sensors.The caravan does affect the reversing sensors - no surprise there - but it's easy to cancel the noise on the display unit with the dab of a finger.
Does anyone know if its possible to extend the reversing sensor circuit to the rear of the caravan when towing? If not, I might get a camera - but it would be nice if I could fit a feed through to the display unit.

 

[Epicyclic]

The caravan does affect the reversing sensors - no surprise there - but it's easy to cancel the noise on the display unit with the dab of a finger.
Does anyone know if its possible to extend the reversing sensor circuit to the rear of the caravan when towing? If not, I might get a camera - but it would be nice if I could fit a feed through to the display unit.

Thanks John, I didn't realise that

Always been too concerned what I was about to reverse into

Don't know about extending the sensor circuit, someone will though I expect...

 

[wakev]

If a tow bar has been fitted and coded properly the reversing sensors should be deactivated when anything is plugged in to the rear socket, if the sensors continue to work it has not been coded correctly and you may well be missing other functions some of which are required by law, and others that affect programs in the yeti for added safety, plus the alarm system will not cover your towed caravan, trailer. Another way for the insurance company not to pay out, if the system is not operating.

 

[Tick Tock]

Just seen an ad for a 60 reg with fixed tow-barand reversing sensors, in Savilles Garage. So looks like fixed bars work as the t/bar looked old.

 

[igg]

If a tow bar has been fitted and coded properly the reversing sensors should be deactivated when anything is plugged in to the rear socket, if the sensors continue to work it has not been coded correctly and you may well be missing other functions some of which are required by law, and others that affect programs in the yeti for added safety,  plus the alarm system will not cover your towed caravan, trailer.  Another way for the insurance company not to pay out, if the system is not operating. 

I agree fully with Wakev. Also I had to fit a square packing tube between the A frame and tow hitch on my previous caravan. Present Bailey sits almost perfectly level.

 

[scouserchris]

hi, could you please tell me if you can get a towbar fitted without cutting the bumper.many thanks chris.

 

[JohnHB]

hi, could you please tell me if you can get a towbar fitted without cutting the bumper.many thanks chris.

I don't think you can, because of the what the hitch and electrics attach to. I think you should speak to one of the specialist tow bar fitting companies though, as there are lots of different kits out there. The "damage" to my car was minimal and is not obvious, particularly as the hitch ball is removeable and the electric socket swings up into the bumper.

 

[JohnHB]

If a tow bar has been fitted and coded properly the reversing sensors should be deactivated when anything is plugged in to the rear socket, if the sensors continue to work it has not been coded correctly and you may well be missing other functions some of which are required by law, and others that affect programs in the yeti for added safety, plus the alarm system will not cover your towed caravan, trailer. Another way for the insurance company not to pay out, if the system is not operating.

It makes total sense for the sensors to be deactivated when the trailer / caravan is plugged in and will be contacting the Skoda dealership in Warrington, where I bought the car and the tow bar / electrics were fitted. It was an outside company who did the work at the dealers instruction.
Can you be more specific about these other functions, please? Also, I don't follow what you mean about the Yeti alarm not covering the caravan. I take it that there is a terminal in the coupling, but what would it connect to in the caravan which would activate the alarm?

 

[plbxr]

How many pins do you have on the electrical connector? 7 or 13?

 

[JohnHB]

Single socket, 13 pins. Insert plug, twist and the caravan beeps as the Alko - thingy sets up which prevents the caravan snaking.

 

[Empcom]

When the 13 pin plug and socket are connected this forms a circuit
the alarm recognises. If this is ununplugged whilst the car alarm is on ie the car is locked the car alarm will go off. Useful to protect caravan at motorway service area's etc.