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164 Driving and parking
Permissible trailer loads and trailer drawbar
noseweights
Weight information
& WARNING Risk of accident due to
unbraked trailer with excessively high
gross weight
If you tow a trailer without a separate func‐
tional braking system and a gross trailer
weight (GTW) of more than 1635 lbs (750 kg),
then the vehicle brake system may overheat.
This increases the braking distance and the
brake system may even fail.
Always use a trailer with a separate
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functional braking system when towing
a trailer with a gross trailer weight
(GTW) of more than 1635 lbs (750 kg).
* NOTE Damage to the drive train, trans‐
mission or trailer tow hitch due to excess
gross combination weight
The permissible gross combination weight is
exceeded.
The drive train, the transmission or the trailer
tow hitch may be damaged.
Comply with the permissible gross com‐
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bination weight.
For vehicles with a permissible gross vehicle
weight of 11030 lbs (5003 kg), the permissible
gross combination weight is less than the sum of
the permissible gross vehicle weight plus the per‐
missible trailer load. If either the vehicle or the
trailer is fully laden, the permitted gross vehicle
weight or the permitted trailer load values are
reduced accordingly. In this case, you may only
partially load the trailer or the vehicle.
The gross trailer weight (GTW) is calculated by
adding the weight of the trailer to the weight of
the load and equipment. If the trailer is equipped
with a separate braking system, then the maxi‐
mum gross trailer weight is 5000 lbs (2268 kg) or
7500 lbs (3402 kg).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar nose‐
weight on the ball head is 500 lbs (227 kg) or
750 lbs (340 kg). However, the actual trailer
drawbar noseweight must not exceed the value
given on the trailer tow hitch or trailer identifica‐
tion plates. Where the values differ, the lowest
value always applies.
The permissible gross weight for vehicle-trailer
combinations (GCWR) is calculated by adding the
gross weight of the trailer to the gross vehicle
weight including a driver's weight of approx‐
imately 150 lbs (68 kg). The maximum permissi‐
ble gross combination weight is vehicle-specific
and equipment-dependent. When driving with a
trailer, you should not exceed the maximum per‐
mitted permissible gross weight for vehicle-trailer
combinations (GCWR).
The permissible values, which must not be excee‐
ded, can be found in your vehicle documents and
on the identification plates of the trailer tow
hitch, the trailer and the vehicle. The values
approved by the manufacturer can also be found
in the "Technical data" section. Where the values
differ, the lowest value always applies.
Loading the trailer
Use a drawbar noseweight that is as close as
possible to the maximum permissible nose‐
weight. Do not undershoot the minimum permis‐
sible noseweight. Otherwise, the trailer may
become detached.
Distribute the load over the vehicle and the
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trailer so as not to exceed either the maxi‐
mum permissible values for the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) and gross trailer weight
(GTW), the permissible gross weight for vehi‐
cle-trailer combinations (GCWR), nor the max‐
imum permissible gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) and trailer drawbar noseweight (TWR)
of your vehicle.
Add the rear axle load to the trailer drawbar
R
noseweight of the trailer drawbar on the ball
head (TWR). This will ensure that you do not
exceed the permissible gross axle weight rat‐
ing (GAWR).
Add the vehicle load to the trailer drawbar
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noseweight of the trailer drawbar on the ball
head (TWR). This will ensure that you do not
exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR).
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight
Make sure that the weights of the towing
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vehicle and the trailer comply with the maxi‐
mum permissible values. Have the car/trailer
combination weighed on a calibrated weigh‐
ing machine. The car/trailer combination
comprises the towing vehicle including driver,
passengers and load as well as the laden
trailer.
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