Driving and operating
205
bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle to have
it on hand if needed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle. If
using non-factory fitted towing
equipment, deactivation of the hands-
free tailgate operation may be
required 3 29.
specified for full load 3 266.
Trailer towing
Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
Driving characteristics and
towing tips
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements.
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for inclines up
to 12%.
The permissible trailer load applies
up to the specified incline and at sea
level. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10%
for every 1000 m of altitude. The
gross train weight does not have to be
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
During trailer towing do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph. A maximum speed
of 60 mph is only appropriate if an
oscillation damper is used and the
permissible gross trailer weight does
not exceed the vehicle's curb weight.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers, the use of an
oscillation damper is strongly
recommended.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
The bulb outage detection function for
trailer brake light cannot detect a
partial bulb outage. E.g. in case of
four bulbs with a power of 5 W each,
the function only detects light outage
when only a single 5 W light remains
or none remain.
Trailers equipped with LED lights are
not suitable for the wiring harness of
this trailer hitch.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball
