Anyone know about towbars for a car like our Skoda Octavia Estate?

[Paul_B]

We need to get a towbar fitted to take our bike rack and 3 bikes possibly 4 at times. No idea what to get or where to go to get it installed. Thinking of trying a local garagee we use and trust Then checking out a national installer (possibly even the nearest indispension trailer dealer who does towbars). Also perhaps another place local to south Cumbria.

So does anyone have any recommendations of what type of towbar to get and what type of electrics and where to go to get it fitted? Swans neck, flange, removable or fixed? I really have no idea what is best for our needs. Research is just getting me more confused and indecisive so I need some pointers to get this right.

PS I am thinking a swans neck fixed so as to not need to cut out the bumper to fit it. Also fixed so there is less to fail or parts to be lost when it is off. I am thinking that spending a little more to get the full, modern electrics that can tow modern trailers/caravans (not that we will but just in case). We got the conversion plug to use with the bike rack for the full elextrrics (it came with the rack as standard). No idea if this is best. Also, looking at our local garage for fitting and possibly buying the towbar from too. Or an international trravellingcompany mmght suit, IDK.

 

[Grebby]

Bear in mind that towball shin/knee interfacing hurts. It also tends to leave a (grease) mark. I remove the towball from my Landy when its not needed for those reasons. Also to stop scrotes from nicking it.

If you get a removable system just leave all the bits with the bike rack so they don't get lost.

Get the more modern 13 pin socket. I think more modern cars (my Landy is 40 years old) need to have a car/model specific wiring loom so stuff like parking sensors etc don't throw a fit.

Also if your numberplate is mounted low and on the bumper then the towball might block the view of it so a removable might be needed. It sounds daft but I have seen some cars where this was the case.

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

Have a think about future resale. Nice OEM tow ball fitted at the appropriate garage versus aftermarket.

Funnily enough I'm looking at the same set-up after years of having a bootlid mounted bike rack.