The permissible roof load is 75 kg. The
roof load is the combined weight of the
roof rack and the load.
Trailer towing
Trailer hitch
CAUTION
For new vehicles, only tow a trailer after
having driven at least 620 miles.
Only use towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle.
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.
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 bar for
towing. Always keep the coupling ball
bar in the vehicle to have it on hand if
needed.
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.
During trailer towing do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph. A maximum speed
of 62 mph is only appropriate if an
oscillation damper is used and the
permissible gross trailer weight does not
exceed the vehicle’s kerb 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. Adjust tyre pressure to the
value specified for full load ð
page 167.
Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are vehicle
and engine-dependent maximum values
that 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 gradients 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 reduced
when driving on roads with slight inclines
(less than 8%, e.g. motorways)
The permissible gross train weight must
not be exceeded. This weight is specified
on the identification plate ð
page 173.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling ball.
It can be varied by changing the weight
distribution when loading the trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load is specified on the towing
equipment identification plate and in the
vehicle documents.
106 Starting and operating
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