Volkswagen Transporter Instruction Manual page 44

4f
Towing a trailer places a considerable strain on the body,
transmission, clutch and brakes of the towing vehicle.
In order to avoid damage to the towing vehicle, please note the fol ­
lowing instructions and driving rules
• Do not exceed the maximum trailer weight specified for the vehi ­
cle (see Technical Data).
• The weight of the trailer draw bar on the ball of the towing bar
must not exceed 50 kg (110 Ibs.). The permissible rear axle load
must not be exceeded.
The minimum nose weight must not be less than 4 % of the actual
trailer weight but it need not be more than 25 kg.
• Use the clutch carefully when towing. Do not accelerate more
than necessary when moving off and never slip the clutch longer
than necessary.
• Always drive at a moderate speed. In many countries there are
speed restrictions for vehicles towing trailers.
• Use brakes in good time and as gently as possible. Practise brak­
ing properly with a trailer with over-run brakes: In this way you
can avoid the jerking which is caused by locked trailer wheels.
• Change down in good time before going downhill.
Driving tips
• Trailer towing always puts the fuel consumption up. This is due to
the extra weight and the higher rolling and air resistance.
The following points should be noted when towing a trailer in moun ­
tainous regions:
• The trailer weights given in the "Technical Data" section in con­
junction with the 16 % gradient are only applicable up to an al­
titude of 1000
m
above sea level.
When driving above 1000 m, the engine output and thus the
climbing ability decreases due to the lower air density. The max ­
imum combined weight (vehicle and trailer loaded to permissible
total weight) given for altitudes up to 1000 m must therefore be
reduced by 10% for each further 1000 m if the gradients men­
tioned above are to be climbed.
If
the combined vehicle and trailer weight is below the permissi­
ble maximum a correspondingly steeper gradient can be
climbed.
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