Mercedes-Benz Metris Operating Instructions Manual page 172

Towing a trailer
170
not depress the brake pedal constantly, but
periodically.
Observe the notes on ESP
Y
( page 69).
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.
i You can reduce the risk of the trailer
swinging and rocking by retrofitting anti-roll
bars or trailer stability programs. Further
information is available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Van Dealer.
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 over-
run. Then, increase the brake force quickly.
The figures for the gradient climbing capa-
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bilities 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.
Coupling up a trailer
Trailer coupled ready for use
X
X
®
trailer stabilization
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most federal states and all Canadian provinces
require by law:
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Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Many states require a separate
functional braking system for your trailer once
a certain weight limit is exceeded. For reasons
of safety, it is recommended that all trailers
use a separate functional braking system.
Make sure your vehicle/trailer combination
complies with local laws. This not only means
where you live, but also anywhere you are driv-
ing to. Information on this can be obtained
from the police and local authorities.
Make sure that the selector lever of the
automatic transmission is in position j.
On vehicles with an automatic transmission,
ensure that the transmission is in position
j.
Engage the vehicle's parking brake.
Close all doors.
Position the trailer horizontally behind your
vehicle.
Couple the trailer.
Establish all electrical and other connec-
tions to the trailer. When doing so, hook the
breakaway cable of the trailer into the eye-
let on the ball coupling.
Remove the objects that are preventing the
trailer from rolling, e.g. wheel chocks.
Release the trailer parking brake.
Safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer coupling,
not to the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough slack in the chains. This
allows you to drive round tight corners.
A separate brake system for certain types of
trailer.
A safety shut-off for braked trailers. Find out
the specific requirements according to the
applicable laws.
If the trailer becomes detached from the
towing vehicle, the safety shut-off applies
the trailer brakes.