Trailer Towing; Fitting The Ball Coupling - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operating Instructions Manual

maximum permissible speed is 80 km/h
(100 km/h in exceptional cases).
When towing a trailer, set the tyre pressure
R
for the rear axle of the towing vehicle to
Y
"laden" ( page 275).
The trailer tow hitch is one of the most impor-
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tant components on the vehicle with regard to
road safety. Observe the notes on operation,
care and maintenance in the manufacturer's
operating instructions.
Vehicles with a detachable trailer coupling:
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minimise the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling. If you do not require the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess.
i Vehicles with passenger vehicle approval:
According to EC Directive 92/ 21/EEC, on
vehicles with passenger vehicle approval, the
permissible gross vehicle weight is increased
by 100 kg when towing a trailer.
The trailer drawbar noseweight must not
exceed:
100 kg with a trailer load of 2,000 kg
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120 kg with a trailer load of 2,800 kg or
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3,000 kg
140 kg with a trailer load of 3,500 kg
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The maximum permissible speed is limited to
100 km/h. Always observe the legal require-
ments.
You will find information about installation
dimensions in the "Technical data" section
Y
( page 307).
Note that, when towing a trailer, PARKTRONIC is
only available with limitations or not at all
Y
( page 173).
The height of the ball coupling changes with
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the load of the vehicle. If this is case, use a
trailer with a height-adjustable trailer draw-
bar.
Driving tips
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.
On long and steep downhill gradients, select a
lower gear or shift range 3, 2 or 1.
i This also applies if cruise control or SPEED-
TRONIC is activated.
You thereby make use of the braking effect of
the engine and do not have to brake as often to
maintain 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.
Observe the notes on ESP
Y
( page 57).
Driving tips
If the trailer begins to swing from side to side:
X
Do not accelerate.
X
Do not counter-steer.
X
Brake if necessary.
Maintain a greater distance than you would
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when driving without towing a trailer.
Avoid sudden braking. Apply the brakes gen-
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tly at first to allow the trailer brake to overrun.
Then, increase the brake force quickly.
The figures for the gradient climbing capabil-
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ities from a standstill refer to sea level. When
driving in mountainous areas, note that the
power output of the engine, and with it its
gradient climbing capability, decrease with
increasing altitude.

Fitting the ball coupling

G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not properly engaged, it
could come loose and endanger other road
users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Engage the ball coupling as described.
G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly engaged,
the trailer can detach. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always engage the ball coupling as described.

Trailer towing

®
trailer stabilisation
Z
177