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Make sure that your trailer combination meets
local regulations. This not only applies to your
place of residence, but also to your destination.
Information on this can be obtained from the
police and local authorities.
Comply with the following when driving with a
trailer:
Practice cornering, stopping and backing up in
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a traffic-free location. In this way, you will gain
driving experience and become accustomed to
the new handling characteristics.
Before driving, check the following:
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that the trailer hitch and ball neck are
-
secure
that the safety switch for braked trailers is
-
functioning correctly
that the safety chains are secure and
-
undamaged
that the electrical connections are secure
-
that the lights are functioning correctly
-
the wheels for damage and correct tire
-
pressure (
page 190)
/
Adjust the outside mirrors so that you have a
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clear view of the rear section of the trailer.
If the trailer is equipped with an individual brak-
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ing system, check before each journey whether
the brakes are functioning correctly.
If the trailer has electronically controlled
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brakes, pull away carefully with the vehicle/
trailer combination. Brake manually using the
brake controller and check whether the brakes
are functioning correctly.
Secure the load on the trailer in line with the
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requirements and rules for load-securing meth-
ods.
When driving with a trailer, check at regular
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intervals that the load is secure and that the
lights and brakes are functioning correctly.
Bear in mind that the handling characteristics
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are more unstable when towing a trailer than
when driving without a trailer. Avoid sudden
steering movements.
The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
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accelerates more slowly, has a reduced grade-
ability and an increased braking distance. It is
more susceptible to side winds and requires
careful steering.
If possible, do not brake suddenly, but rather
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moderately at first so that the trailer can acti-
Driving and parking 135
vate its brakes. Then increase the pressure on
the brake pedal.
Avoid constant braking, as this could cause the
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vehicle brakes and possibly also the trailer
brakes to overheat.
If the coolant temperature increases signifi-
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cantly when the air conditioning system is
switched on, switch the air conditioning system
off.
Coolant heat will also be dissipated if you
switch the airflow and the temperature of the
heating or air conditioning system to the maxi-
mum level. Open the windows if necessary.
When overtaking, pay particular attention to
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the increased overtaking distance of your vehi-
cle/trailer combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer combi-
nation, you will require a longer stretch of road
before switching back to the original lane.
Permissible trailer loads and tongue weights
Weight information
& WARNING Risk of accident due to an
unbraked trailer with an excessive gross
weight
If you pull an unbraked trailer with a gross
trailer weight (GTW) of more than 1,653 lbs
(750 kg), the vehicle's brake system may over-
heat.
This increases the braking distance and may
even cause the brake system to fail.
Always use a trailer with a separate brak-
#
ing system if you are pulling a gross
trailer weight (GTW) of more than
1,653 lbs (750 kg).
* NOTE Damage to the drive train, transmis-
sion 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-
#
bination weight.
In vehicles with a permissible gross vehicle weight
of 11030 lbs (5003 kg), the permissible gross
combination weight is less than the sum of the per-
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