Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operator's Manual page 176

Towing a trailer
174
G WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
Always observe the operating instructions
provided by the manufacturers of the trailer
coupling and the ball coupling.
Couple and decouple the trailer carefully.
When backing up the towing vehicle, make
sure nobody is standing between the vehicle
and the trailer.
A trailer which is incorrectly coupled to the
towing vehicle could break away. A correctly
coupled trailer must be positioned horizon-
tally behind the towing vehicle.
Ensure that the following weights are not
exceeded:
the permissible noseweight
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the permissible trailer load
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the permissible rear axle load of the towing
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vehicle
the permissible gross weight of both the
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towing vehicle and the trailer
the permissible gross combination weight
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The applicable permissible values that may
not be exceeded can be found:
in your vehicle documents
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on the type plates for the trailer tow hitch
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on the type plates for the trailer
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on the vehicle identification plate
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( page 319).
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Where the values differ, the lowest is valid.
You will find values approved by the manu-
facturer on the identification plates and those
for the towing vehicle in the "Permissible
trailer loads and trailer drawbar noseweights"
section ( page 178).
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Your vehicle behaves differently with a trailer
than without one.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
is heavier
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is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
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ent-climbing capability
has an increased braking distance
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is more susceptible to strong crosswinds
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requires more sensitive steering
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has a larger turning circle
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This may impair the handling characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to suit the road and weather condi-
tions. Drive carefully. Maintain a safe dis-
tance.
If you require any further explanation of the
information contained in the Operating
Instructions, please contact an authorized
Sprinter dealer.
General notes
Observe the legally prescribed maximum
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speed for vehicle/trailer combinations in
the relevant country, state or Canadian
province. Before setting off, check the vehi-
cle documents of the your trailer to find out
the permissible maximum speed.
This reduces the risk of accidents.
Install only an approved trailer coupling on
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your vehicle. Only use a ball coupling that
is approved for your vehicle and Sprinter
trailer tow hitch. More information on the
availability, mounting and installation of the
trailer electrics is available at any qualified
specialist workshop.
The turn signals on the trailer are only guar-
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anteed to function when incandescent
bulbs are used. You can obtain more infor-
mation about installing the trailer electrics
at any qualified specialist workshop.
The trailer coupling is one of the most
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important vehicle parts with regard to road