Towing A Trailer - Mercedes-Benz G-Class Operator's Manual

When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
is heavier
R
is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
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climbing capability
has an increased braking distance
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is affected more by strong crosswinds
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demands more sensitive steering
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has a larger turning radius
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This could impair the handling characteristics.
Adapt your driving style accordingly. Maintain a
safe distance. Drive carefully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to the current road and weather conditions. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
Notes on towing a trailer
General notes
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
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speed for vehicle/trailer combinations in the
relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident.
Only install an approved trailer coupling on
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your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
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for installing detachable trailer couplings.
Do not install hired trailer couplings or other
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detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle.
If you do not need the ball coupling, remove
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the ball coupling from the ball coupling
recess. This will reduce the risk of damage to
the ball coupling.
When towing a trailer, set the tire pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the max-
imum load. Further information on the tire pres-
sure table in the fuel filler flap (
Please note that when towing a trailer,
PARKTRONIC ( page 140) and Blind Spot
Y
Assist ( page 137) availability is limited or not
Y
available at all.
The height of the ball coupling changes with the
load of the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find permissible trailer loads under
"Technical data" (
Driving tips
Observe the notes on ESP
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tion (
On long and steep downhill gradients, select
X
shift range 1, 2 or 3(
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or the speed limiter.
If necessary, shift the transfer case to LOW
X
RANGE (
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so that less braking will be required to main-
tain the speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you
need additional braking, depress the brake
pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permitted speed is. Observe the maximum per-
missible speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical data"
section to find out whether this applies to your
vehicle (
rear axle load, the car/trailer combination may
not exceed a maximum speed of 60 mph
(100 km/h) for reasons concerning the operat-
ing permit. This also applies in countries in
which the maximum permissible speed for car/
trailer combinations is greater than 60 mph
(100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to
when driving without a trailer and it will con-
sume more fuel.
page 119).
Y

Towing a trailer

page 284).
Y
®
page 60).
Y
page 114) in good time.
Y
page 146).
Y
page 284). In the event of increased
Y
151
trailer stabiliza-
Z