Towing A Trailer - Mercedes-Benz 2015 M-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
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is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
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ent-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 characteris-
tics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to the current road and weather con-
ditions. Do not exceed the maximum permis-
sible speed for your vehicle/trailer combina-
tion.
Notes on towing a trailer
General notes
Do not exceed the legally prescribed max-
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imum speed for vehicle/trailer combina-
tions 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 suita-
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ble for installing detachable trailer cou-
plings.
Do not install hired trailer couplings or
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other detachable trailer couplings on the
bumpers of your vehicle.
If you no longer need the ball coupling,
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remove it from the ball coupling recess.
This will reduce the risk of damage to the
ball coupling.
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When towing a trailer, set the tire pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle
for a maximum load; see the tire pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (
Please note that when towing a trailer, PARK-
TRONIC ( page 217) and Blind Spot Assist
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( page 237) are only available with limita-
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tions, or not at all.
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On vehicles without level control, the
height of the ball coupling will alter accord-
ing to the load placed on the vehicle. If nec-
essary, use a trailer with a height-adjusta-
ble drawbar.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (
Driving tips
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Observe the information on ESP
stabilization ( page 74) and on pulling
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away with a trailer (
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 max-
imum permissible speed is. Observe the
legally prescribed maximum speed in the rel-
evant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See "Technical data" to
find out whether this applies to your vehicle
( page 460). If you utilize any of the added
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maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not
exceed a maximum speed of 60 mph
(100 km/h) for reasons concerning the oper-
ating permit. This also applies in countries in
which the permissible maximum speed for
vehicle/trailer combinations is above 60 mph
(100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
Use the left-hand paddle shifter to shift into a
lower gear in good time on long and steep
downhill gradients.

Towing a trailer

page 421).
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page 459).
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®
trailer
page 161).
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