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Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2021 11:07 am
by qorak
Hi all

I'm about to go and collect a 2019 1.5 TSI SEL which I'm very excited about.

I'm keen to get a tow bar mounted bike rack, as I don't particularly want to mount the bikes to the tailgate, which is what I've been doing on my ageing Citroen Xsara Picasso.

First of all I'll need to get a tow bar fitted.

I found a couple of threads about this back in 2018 when the Karoq was fairly new, but I wondered if anyone had any more experience of this since then?

In particular I'd be interested in main dealer vs third party fitters (both in terms of cost and result), and what effect the fitting and use of a tow bar and rack has on the electrics of the car.

Also I read somewhere that getting a tow bar fitted means you have declare a modification to your insurer - is that right, and does it have an effect on your premium?

Thanks all - looking forward to joining the club!

Re: Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2021 7:50 pm
by CJJE
This thread may be one you've already seen (viewtopic.php?f=8&t=132) but it was updated with recent posts in October 2020 and April 2021.

The electronics on modern cars are much more complicated that when I had a tow bar fitted to my (new) Golf Mk4 twenty-odd years ago, but even then the local Witter agency managed to blow lots of fuses and crack a rear light when they were fitting it!

I needed it then for a dinghy trailer, box trailer and bike rack, but since then have relied on bike carriers on the roof. They cause more air resistance, but also keep the bikes out of harm's way (apart from low barriers!) When I had my bikes on the tow bar Pendle carrier returning from France, an impatient driver behind me at the ferry managed to nudge the carrier enough to warp the wheels - and I didn't find out until I took them off to ride!

Re: Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 7:54 am
by qorak
Yes, I did see that thread - the more recent posts didn't help me come to any conclusions :)

I need to be able to put a roof box on top with 3-4 bikes behind, so putting the bikes on the roof isn't an option.

I'd definitely be interested in hearing any recent experiences of towbars being fitted to a Karoq that didn't originally have one.

Re: Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2021 7:03 pm
by NascarMike
I had a towbar fitted to my VW Passat Estate about 7 years ago, fitted at my home by a local specialist who was recommended. He gave me various options and I chose a fully dedicated Westfalia kit, which fully integrated into the VW system. Apparently this Westfalia kit is supplied to VW as a genuine product. Cost at the time which included a removable towbar was about £500. Expensive I know, but I rather pay a bit more, to ensure quality parts and matched the car as well. I also fitted an Atera bike carrier, again quality products, which I bought from The Roofbox Company based in Cumbria-a good business to deal with. Hope this information helps.

Re: Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 5:59 pm
by atkinbrown
We have just bought a Karoq 1.6tdi and are having a tow bar fitted on Friday. We use a local company Hedleys Towbars Durham and they fitted one to our previous car. Cost for the Karoq is £385 for standard tow bar and £485 for detachable and that is with 13 pin electrics. Skoda price is nearer £800. Going for the detachable as car looks better without the tow bar. Hope this helps.

Re: Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 2:51 pm
by qorak
That's really useful, thank you. It'd be great to hear back from you about how it went.

Re: Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 12:00 pm
by Seasol62
Thanks guys a useful thread. Bought a 2018 1.5 SE L last week and asked about having a tow bar fitted before collection. The Skoda dealer quoted £1050, which I declined. Am now investigating a independent fitting, nothing offered is cheap but still not the Skoda price. I am looking for a detachable goose kneck in the Sussex/Kent South Coast area. This is for use with a two ebike carrier, probably a Thule. Any recommends gladly received.

Re: Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 2:03 pm
by Patr
Seasol62 wrote: Sun Jul 18, 2021 12:00 pm Thanks guys a useful thread. Bought a 2018 1.5 SE L last week and asked about having a tow bar fitted before collection. The Skoda dealer quoted £1050, which I declined. Am now investigating a independent fitting, nothing offered is cheap but still not the Skoda price. I am looking for a detachable goose kneck in the Sussex/Kent South Coast area. This is for use with a two ebike carrier, probably a Thule. Any recommends gladly received.

I have a Westfalia removeable on order from Copthorne Services in Shrewsbury which will be fitted to my Karoq. Fitting, car specific electrics and re-coding is £550 inclusive. I have the Westfalia on my MB C200 and it is superb.

Not on the South Coast but should give you an idea of costs when phoning around.

Re: Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 5:31 pm
by Seasol62
Oops Best offer so far for an equivalent all inclusive Westfalia down here is £735. Almost worth a trip to Shropshire or my home county Derbyshire, SE equals hire price apparently.

Re: Tow bars for bike racks revisited

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 9:11 am
by qorak
I'm also on the south coast so please do keep us up to date with what you find!