Trailer - Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual

Always check the tow bar before hitching a trailer. Apply suitable grease where
necessary.
Use the protective cover when stowing away the tow bar, in order to stop the
boot from getting dirty.
In the event of dirt, clean the surfaces of the mounting recess and treat with a
suitable preservative.
CAUTION
Apply grease to the upper part of the mounting recess. Make sure you do not re-
move any grease.

Trailer


Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Loading a trailer
Driving with a trailer
Anti-theft alarm system
WARNING
Always drive particularly carefully with the trailer.
Loading a trailer

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 119.
The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced, whereby the maximum permis-
sible drawbar load must be utilised. If the drawbar load is too low, it jeopardises
the performance of the vehicle/trailer combination.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as
close to the axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping.
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trail-
er is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a "full load"
Service life of tyres.
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan-
ces » page 200, Technical data.
The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean

sea level.
The engine output falls as altitude increases, as does the vehicle's climbing pow-
er. Therefore, for every additional 1000 m in height (or part), the maximum per-
missible towed weight must be reduced by 10%.
The towed weight is made up of the actual weights of the loaded towing vehicle
and the loaded trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device is
119 merely a test value for the towing device. The vehicle-specific values are detailed
in the vehicle documents.
120
121
WARNING
Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the
■
maximum permissible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer –

risk of accident and serious injury!
Slipping loads can significantly impair the stability and safety of the vehicle/
■
trailer combination – risk of accident and serious injury!
» page 169,

119
Towing a trailer