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Towing bracket device
Trailer towing
What do you need t
o bear in mind
when t
o
wing a trailer?
Your vehicle may be used to tow a trailer
when fitted with the correct equipment.
If you wish t
o retrofit a towing bracket, con-
sult
›››
page 311.
Connectors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin connector
for the electrical connection between the
trailer and the vehicle.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to
use an adapter cable. It is available at any
Technical Service.
Trailer weight/drawbar load
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If
you do not load the trailer up to the maximum
permitted trailer weight, you can then climb
correspondingly steeper slopes.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only
applicable for altitudes up to 1000 m above
sea level. With increasing altitude the engine
power and therefore the vehicle climbing
ability are impaired because of the reduced
air density. The maximum trailer weight has to
be reduced accordingly. The weight of the
vehicle and trailer combination must be re-
duced by 10% for every further 1000 m (or
part thereof). The gross combination w
eight
is the actual weight of the laden vehicle plus
the actual weight of the laden trailer. When
possible, operate the trailer with the maxi-
mum permitted drawbar load on the ball
joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed
the specified limit.
The figures for trailer weights and drawbar
loads that are given on the data plate of the
towing bracket are for certification purposes
only. The correct towing bracket figures for
your specific model, which may be lower
than these figures, are given in the vehicle
documentation or on
›››
page 355, Techni-
cal specifications.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy
objects are as near to the axle as possible.
Loads carried in the trailer must be secured
to prevent them moving.
Tyre pressure
The maximum permissible tyre pressure val-
ues are shown on the sticker on the back of
the left front door frame. Set the tyre pressure
of the trailer tyres in accordance with the
trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the
road behind the trailer with the standard rear
vision mirrors. If this is not the case, you
should have additional exterior mirrors fitted.
Both exterior mirrors should be mounted on
hinged extension brackets. Adjust the mirrors
to give sufficient vision to the rear.
Tow rope
Always use a cable between the vehicle and
the trailer
›››
page 308.
Trailer rear lights
The trailer's rear lights should comply with
the statutory safety regulations
›››
page 308.
WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer. This
could result in f
atal accidents.
Note
●
Towing a tr
ailer places additional de-
mands on the vehicle. We recommend ad-
ditional services between the normal in-
spection intervals if the vehicle is used fre-
quently for towing a trailer.
●
Find out whether special regulations ap-
ply to towing a trailer in your country.
307
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