Trailer Towing - Opel Vivaro C 2023 Manual

224 Driving and operating
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers, the use of an
oscillation damper is strongly
recommended.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
If the outside temperature exceeds
37 °C, reduce the load on the trailer
to protect the engine of the vehicle.
At high outside temperatures it is
recommended to leave the engine
running for one or two minutes after
having stopped the vehicle in order to
faciliate cooling.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 283.
Towing a trailer increases the braking
distance of the vehicle. To limit the
heating of the brakes, it is
recommended to use the braking
effect of the engine.
By driving uphill, the temperature of
the coolant is increased. To reduce
heating, drive at a reduced speed and
pay attention to the coolant
temperature. If the control indicator
2 of the engine coolant temperature
gauge illuminates, stop the vehicle
and switch off engine as soon as
possible.

Trailer towing

Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to 12%.
The permissible trailer load applies
up to the specified incline and at sea
level. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10%
for every 1000 metres of altitude. The
gross train weight does not have to be
reduced when driving on roads with
slight inclines (less than 8%, e.g.
motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 277.
When distributing the loads in the
trailer, heavy objects should be
placed as close as possible to the
axle.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load is specified on the
towing equipment identification plate
and in the vehicle documents.