I looked at fitting lots of different tow bars but eventually opted for one from http://www.towbars2u.co.uk/index1.html they are very cheap and I was extremely impressed with the solidity of the bar! and it cost only £70ish for bar, full single electrics, tow ball, tow ball and electrics cover. I looked at Witter and a genuine Skoda but as I have a bike rack I could not use a swan neck arrangement additionally the quality of the bars were pretty much the same, All tow bars now days have to be eu approved so there is no longer any "dodgy" bars about (or rather there shouldn't).
Fitting a tow bar to a Skoda Octavia estate is very straight forward.
1.)Remove bumper- 3 bolts each side inside car (cd player has 2 and just below light is third-same on rhs) remove all other bolts securing-mud flaps and underneath of the bumper.
2.)Remove original bumper support/metal bar. 8 nuts and throw away.
3.)Pre assemble tow bar and slot into chassis
on each side of the chassis there are 2 pieces of tape covering
the bolt hole-remove these and bolt tow bar up loosely. as shown in photo below.
---head of bolts can just be seen at top of photo
This
is after re-under sealing
4.)The bumper has a centreline marked on it---cut a slot as per instructions mine was 80mm*40mm, the bumper is very easy to cut and a junior hacksaw is ideal.
5.)Electric cable can be run through the grommet (already fitted to vehicle)
6.) Once tow bar is all in place check alignment and tighten up bolts on either side of the chassis (as shown in photo 3 at the top) Don't forget to re-under seal all parts where tape was removed (it removes under seal as well! Keep that warranty)
I always paint my tow bar's with Hammerite prior to fitting-and post fitting (usually 2 days prior) as this prolongs the life and if the Hammerite cracks around any joints/nuts it immediately shows a weakness/problem.
Wiring is standard, while wiring up my tow bar I also wired up the LHS fog light.
The only thing I have not managed to do is get the light on the dashboard working. Any ideas any one please email me. Apparently this involves changing the hazard warning switch but i am still looking into that. ***update*** well that didn't bloody work contacted Skoda and there is apparently a loom that fits between the lights and the main loom, finally got the loom-no bloody different its the same as splicing into the main wiring loom directly (electrically) am still working on this one, will update the page if i ever get it working.
Don't forget to follow all manufacturers torque settings etc.
Fitting of bumper is reverse of removal!
The whole job took me 1Hour + 1hour painting 2 days before
Additional items needed
1.) Small tin of Hammerite
2.) Small tin of under seal
