Yeti 4x4

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weyr

Jan 19, 2015
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Hi

We are considering getting a Yeti 4x4

Our Octavia has given us good service but can't tow the van we would like.
Not the fault of the Octavia but having fallen foul of one of the many Pot holes of today's roads ,we quite fancy the ground clearance and more off road ability of the Yeti.

We plan to do all season caravan trips and probably a lot of wet grass hence the 4x4.

We plan to get a dealer special based on the Sprite Major 4FB with an MTPLM of
1350 KG it will give a tow ratio of about 88%

I really liked the Challenger Sport 554 but with an MTPLM of 1420 kg it pushed the ratio up for the Yeti closer to the wire at about 92.5%

I am not a complete novice to towing

I have done some towing of Motorcycles on Trailers, Boats on trailers and loaded Trailers but not a caravan

I plan to do one of those courses that The Caravan club run for towing

will think about the dealer special Sprite and the Challenger Sport 554 and mull over the percentages
 
Tukums

Tukums

Dec 7, 2010
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I use my Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 all year round and it is good on wet grass and muddy fields getting the van on and off, it does also have a slightly raised suspension, mass in service is 1495kg. I am also getting better grip now, have put a set of Vredestein Quatrac 3 all season tyres on, giving better grip in mud and solo in the recent snow! I was going to get a Yeti but the estate has more load / carry space. Looking at getting another van towards the end of the year and that will have a mtplm of 1,350kg.
Did have a problem over the New Year and had to call out Skoda assist, EGR valve failed, only 24,600 miles on the clock! replaced under warranty.
Try this link, it explains all about Haldex.
www.freel2.co...haldex gen4.pdf
 
W

weyr

Jan 19, 2015
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Thanks for the input Tukums :)
An Octavia Estate 4x4 is an impressive vehicle and on our back up list B)
 
R

rosies

Mar 9, 2008
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I find my Yeti 170 bhp TDI 4x4 tows extremely well especially in poor weather conditions due to its very very short rear overhang , always keeping in control over the caravan . Plenty of power and torque to tow my caravan weight of 1270 kgs and giving a reasonable average fuel consumption of - 32 mpg towing and 49 mpg when not . The Yeti is a nice short vehicle and never overwhelms you in size when driving/towing , the only thing you have to learn is to vertically pack the boot , once learned then you will be amazed at what you can manage to load . All three rear seats can be individually removed for greater storage , this I find perfect for longer touring holidays with my dog and cage .. Remove as many seats as required . Traction always seems good even on summer tyres on wet or muddy surfaces , even quite steep inclines towing . but with winter tyres this increases somewhat during those icy/snowy times you need the extra grip . Our SUV is the older version ,2013 , with halidex gen 4 system whereas the newest Yeti 4x4 outdoor model has the gen 5 system . All in all I can say that I'm very pleased with all aspects of the Skoda Yeti and rate it very highly as one of the best if not the best all round towing / family vehicles I have owned in my 40+ years of caravanning .
 
W

weyr

Jan 19, 2015
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Thanks for your Input Rosie :)
A while ago we went to a dealer to have a look at a Scout and an Estate 4x4
which both have The Haldex four-wheel drive system B)
They suggested have a look at the Yeti
I always liked the Yeti so didn't need my arm twisted to have a look
I opened the boot and thought exactly what you said, have to pack vertically
I was surprised that the Yeti Kerb weight is higher than the Scout or the Estate 4x4
I like The Scout , Octavia Est 4x4 and the Yeti and I like the Haldex four-wheel drive system
I think it will be the Kerb weight of the Yeti which will decide if we go for the 1350 kg Dealer Special
I also like the nice short compact but business likeness of the Yeti
Wifey had a look at the Swift Challenger 570 and Liked it but I fear that would be out of the range of the Yeti and more a Tiguan realm
We will be able to view Two dealer Specials in a few weeks and I think that will decide which route we go.
I have a feeling it will be Yeti+ dealer Special but we will have to look and see how it goes :)
 
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rosies

Mar 9, 2008
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Good luck with whichever way you go , With the Skoda Yeti I'd advise testing the elegance or better still the L&K range if possible . Especially the L&K ( Lauren and Klement , original manufacturers to Skoda ) which has rear view camera , a wonderful panoramic sunroof ( wifey will love ) , embossed L&K leather seats etc etc . The factory fit westfalia detachable towbar is a very very neat fitment and shows absolutely nothing when removed and literally takes a minute to fit . You may also find that the 140 bhp or 170 bhp models more to your liking regards towing but also look at the DSG ( tiptronic , semi automatic ) which I'm sure will appeal to you . BTW , I have nothing to do with Skoda but I'm proud to own one .
 
W

weyr

Jan 19, 2015
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We were abe to have a look at the Challenger Sport 554 today
with an MTPLM of 1420 kg
Nice van, has a fully lined shower :)
Tow ratio is about 93% for the Yeti
Either the 140 or 170 Yetis 4x4 can haul the The Challenger Sport 554
from what I can tell by Max tow weight and kerb weight
The 570 is asking too much and needs a heavier kerb weight
so discarded the 570
I do like the Yeti and feel it's right for us
just have to match the right van with it that suits us and the Yeti if we can
find something suitable
If not Always the Superb 4x4 to look at and see what it can match up with
 
W

weyr

Jan 19, 2015
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That is the trouble Sprocket

Figures quoted seem to be all over the place

current kerb weights (not including 75 kg for the driver) in Skoda's own 2015
put the 4x4 140bhp at 1460 kg

Some sites list it at 1535 kg for the lastest 2015 model

I was thinking of getting an older heavier model like the 2010 Practical caravan review

Unless that review was incorrect

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/reviews/tow-car/28254-skoda-yeti-20-tdi-140bhp-4x4-elegance
It's a mine field for sure
 
S

Sproket

Apr 7, 2008
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The MIRO of the van is showing as 1267
So if the van had nothing in it's still up there at about 86%

But it depends on how much towing experience you have as to how much you want the Yeti & the 554 ?
 
ProfJohnL

ProfJohnL

Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Weyr,

Your experience of the data available on the web just goes to show how potentially unreliable it is, which in turn makes the comparison and towing guide website just as potentially wrong.

You need to get the weight information form either V5c registration document which should be specific to the car, or ask Skoda direct (horses mouth so to speak) Only then can you have reasonable certainty of the information.

With regards the towing ratio's, I always suggest you aim to keep the trailers weight as small as possible. As a novice, the caravan industry offers guidance and suggest you should aim for no more than 85%, and only consider increasing up towards 100% as you gain experience, but its important to understand that neither of these guidance figures offer any guarantee of a good tow combination, and neither are a legal requirement.

Of course you must not exceed the car manufacture technical specifications for weight limits.

That being so, and considering the mechanical layout of the Yeti, with its very short rear overhang I would guess you would have no problems exceeding 85%. subject to all other considerations such as proper loading of the van and car and nose weight and good driving.
 
W

weyr

Jan 19, 2015
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Funny you should say that ProfjohnL

we went on a round Robin trip and one of the visits was to a Skoda dealer to ask that very question

We also went to a Nissan dealer and a VW dealer to compare

I have joked with the other half at this rate we will probably end up with a Morris Minor towing a skakeboard :lol:

In about two weeks We are going to look a Dealer Special of the 554 and two Dealer Specials versions based on the Sprite FB which is 70kg lighter

From there we can decide which direction we go

As pointed out
with wise loading and most kit put in the vehicle the 554 is not completely out of reach

You would think that the industries would be more accurate with their figures

Hey maybe Skoda will bring out a slightly bigger Yeti for me or its bigger brother. :whistle:
 
W

weyr

Jan 19, 2015
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Just to muddy the water a bit

On the skoda forum for the 4x4 Yeti

I realised Skoda don't include the EU 75kg for the driver in the Kerb Weight

but apparently they weigh the vehicle without fluids :huh:

Someone took their Skoda to a weigh bridge with just them in it at 13 stone, half a tank and nothing else in the vehicle and it weighed 230 kgs more that the Skoda quoted kerb weight :blink:

I am thinking we will go look at the Vans and see which one suits us
Find a suitable 4x4 Yeti 140 bhp
as that will be better for us solo as well

Load the caravan with the very basic's , the rest in the Yeti
With Fuel, our Kit , Mr and Mrs sat in the front

the ratio isn't going to be 85% but it won't be so much over if load accordingly

The Max tow is within the law and the Kerb Weight is within the law and the Max train weight is within the law

Got a working plan now :woohoo:

I do agree with Rosie and Sprocket the 570 is too heavy, so thanks for your input
but I feel we can manage the 554 with some thought and care if we go for that van

Just have to look at vans now in two weeks time
 
Tukums

Tukums

Dec 7, 2010
214
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18,585
My Octavia 4x4 was built Dec 2011, registered Jan 2012 the handbook is very clear and states the kerbweight does include 90% tank of fuel and driver / equipment 75kg. However there is no reference to kerbweight in the handbook technical section, only unloaded weight ready for work 1495kg!!!!!! this is the same figure on the V5C document under mass in service.
About time there was a set standard.
 
W

weyr

Jan 19, 2015
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Thanks Tukums

It certainly is about time there was an Industry Standard

I had spent over a week looking at weights and measures

so I have had enough :evil:

I have a working plan now :p

We are going to look at the 3 vans that we have narrowed it down to and decide which one is best for what we want to do

Then we will match it with a 4x4 Yeti 140 :p
 
R

rosies

Mar 9, 2008
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Excellent Choice weyr , on my V5c the mass in running order states 1535 kg , I've added a spare wheel and jack :cheer: ing tools , detachable towbar and electrics , now that's without dog and dog cage , coats and usual tools in boot plus all the other bits we all carry so I'm sure the Yeti must weigh 1600 kg minimum before touring loads . As Skoda say the maximum Yeti 140/170 4x4 is 2000 kgs and if you are experience in towing then there is no problems at all as I think you have come to that conclusion . :cheer:
 
R

rosies

Mar 9, 2008
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PS , No Yeti from new has a spare wheel and accessories or Towbar , these a optional extras .
spare wheel accessories include a boot floor and supports and jack plus storage .
 
ProfJohnL

ProfJohnL

Mar 14, 2005
18,674
3,931
50,935
Hello Again Weyr,

Having seen the MTPLM (1420) of the challenger, and the fact you have mentioned the Yeti 170 with 4x4 (MAM 2135Kg from Skoda website) together that is a combined MAM of 3555Kg. Now that maybe a problem depending on when you passed your driving test, because after Jan 1997, the standards licence only provided Cat B (for cars and trailers) and limits the new driver to a Max MAM (solo or combined) of no more than 3500Kg.

IF you passed before end of Jan 1997 than you automatically have entitlement B+E which covers this combination.
 
W

weyr

Jan 19, 2015
34
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Yup

don't want to be sorry

We pretty much decided we want a Yeti for a Tug and every day use

We have gone over all the vans and vehicles we considered and Yeti hits our spot

We are looking at a number of vans in 2 weeks but to be honest the most likely
contender is going to be a dealer special of the Major 4FB
It has good kit and is weighs in at 1350 kg.

I think we will be comfortable with that set up
 
xtrailman

xtrailman

Mar 10, 2006
3,274
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Why don't you buy the Yeti which usually only has good reports, but get the higher powered version, get it weighed and see what weight you really have.

My tow bar weighs over 21kg, and the spare wheel an extra over 27kg, none of which are included in kerb weight.

Don't reply on the V5c the data on mine is inaccurate at 1490kg for a car with a kerb weight of 1663kg, a member on the CT forum with exactly the same car weighed his at 1725kg.
So what I'm saying is the car will most probably be heavier, not lighter.

A CT member also found the towing limit on his V5c to be inaccurate, just to illustrate that what's on the V5c can be inaccurate.
 
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