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Subject Topic: Alko Hitch 1cm Distance from Bumper Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonMrModo
27/5/2015 at 8:59pm
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Hi Chaps

I've just had a new towbar fitted to my car, I chose a swan neck stye as read that it gave more clearance for an Alko hitch.

After fitting the tow ball looked very close to the bumper, the installer reckoned it would be OK When fitting the caravan to check, I had a measure and the distance between the hitch and the bumper is just over 1cm and not even 1/2"

image here

Would anyone know if this is sufficient?

Post last edited on 27/05/2015 21:07:13


PersonGrampian91
27/5/2015 at 9:51pm
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I wouldnt be happy with that. Does your car have a larger bumper due to the spec?

Maybe they chose the wrong towbar?


Personbilly
27/5/2015 at 9:53pm
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Try turning it with assistant watching. If it don't contact you are ok.


PersonMrModo
27/5/2015 at 10:26pm
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Cheers.

I don't think the bumper is any larger, its a Octavia VRS.

I'll have a try, it does concern me that on a turn it'll hit the bumper

Alko's min spec is 60mm from bumper to center of ball. I will measure that tomorrow also


Personcheckley1973
28/5/2015 at 8:00pm
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VW group insist the space between the ball and the bumper is less than 60mm although I can't recall what they spec to Westfalia for the bar.

My Audi A4 is the same and we've had no issues ,just careful hitching. Is you towbar Westfalia by any chance?


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PersonGrampian91
29/5/2015 at 3:26am
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The VRS models are slightly longer so i assume thats down to the bumper styles.

The VRS requires a different towbar to the standard Octavia also. Similar issue with mine it says not for the Ghia/Ghia X models and a few other sporty ones, The bumpers can be deeper or slightly larger in style.

Its only a small difference but it thats all the rear bumper then it will answer your question.

Check the part numbers, is it for the VRS model or a standard Octavia?


Persontango55
29/5/2015 at 10:52am
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It looks like the towbar mountings for the Octavia VRS are identical to the 4x4 scout but the others are different.
However, the link below may be helpful to identify the various towbars (detachable, swan neck and fixed) for the year of vehicle and estate/saloon versions.


Octavia Towbars


PersonIainM
29/5/2015 at 4:58pm
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Had three Octavia vRS models and none of them sat as close as that. Two had Westfalia brackets and one a Witter. My recently traded in Tiguan had a VW towbar that sat close to the bumper but not as close as that. Concerned about it I drove the car on lock and my caravan dealer checked out that it didn't touch ... have to say though in the year that I had the car we used the mover for positioning the van on site ... this was my main reason for trading the car in so soon.

-------------
2020 Volvo XC60 B5 R Design Geartronic / 2018 Swift Elegance 580

Best Wishes

Iain


PersonMrModo
29/5/2015 at 9:53pm
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HI

The towbar fitted is a Thule. But yes it does seem the vRS bumper is a little plumper than the standard models. It doesn't help that my car is the Mk3 which seems less supported

Westfalia seem to be the only suppliers which actually state that their towbar fits the vRS model. The installer is trying to get more info out of Westfalia, otherwise they plan to fit a flange style with the Alko ball to give a little extra clearance.



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