Cars not approved for towing

DavidRC
DavidRC Forum Participant Posts: 34
edited January 2023 in Towcars & Towing #1

I'm not talking about small cars, sports cars etc but cars which you would expect to be able to tow. I'm looking to change my present Skoda Octavia  but have come across references to some Skoda models/versions not being approved to tow ( no train weight shown on weight plate).

Seems to relate mainly to some versions of the Kodiaq but other models have also been mentioned. It is suggested that in order to be approved to tow, a Skoda needs to be ordered with either a factory tow bar or at least tow bar preparation which may include mods to cooling system.

I won't be buying new so will need to look carefully at the spec of any car I see.

Does anyone know if this is peculiar to Skoda or are there similar issues with other makes?

Thanks.

Comments

  • Paul Richards
    Paul Richards Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited January 2023 #2

    You are correct. When I purchased my Kodiaq the manual version was not approved for towing but the DSG gearbox was. I am also aware of someone who changed his BMW company car for the exact same model but the new car could not be fitted with a tow bar as the adblu tank had now been fitted to later models and was exactly where the tow bar fixings needed to be. 
    My only advice is to research carefully before you purchase. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2023 #3
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited January 2023 #4

    You may want to check out this thread

    https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/information-technical-tips-advice/towcars-towing/new-skoda-not-approved-to-tow-buyer-beware/?p=2

     

  • DavidRC
    DavidRC Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited February 2023 #5

    Thanks all for the replies.

    I will need to look carefully at this aspect when considering a replacement!

  • watto64
    watto64 Forum Participant Posts: 162
    edited February 2023 #6

    Another thing to look for is the towing capacity of a vehicle may vary between OEM and aftermarket towbars.

    Many years ago the original VW Tiguan was rated as 2000kg towing capacity, after a test drive and what seemed like hours in the dealership I enquired about getting an after market towbar fitted only to be told the capacity would drop to 1500kg. The 2000kg ability was only possible with the factory fit option as it came with larger oil coolers etc. 

    This may not be the case these days but its worth checking - maybe thats what the term 'towing preparation' spec means.

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2023 #7

    The car must be type approved for towing, if not it is illegal to tow - even if an aftermarket towbar is available. Type approval is becoming a minefield as different trim or engine variants of the same base model May or may not be type approved. If buying new I would specify tow bar prep for the avoidance of doubt. 

  • Sootyvandriver
    Sootyvandriver Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited March 2023 #8

    I got close to buying the large XJ Jaguar but luckily realised it did not have type approval for towing.

    Also my Mustang GT 550 is approved for towing in the USA but not in Europe, not that I would want to.

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