%
You can prevent the trailer from swaying and
rocking by retrofitting stabilizer bar or trailer
stability programs. You can obtain further
information from a Freightliner Sprinter
service center.
When you are driving with a trailer, comply with
the following points:
R
Maintain a greater distance than when driving
without a trailer.
R
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen‐
tly first of all so that the trailer closes up
behind your vehicle. Then, increase the brak‐
ing force rapidly.
R
The values given for start-off gradeability
refer to sea level. When driving in mountain‐
ous areas, note that engine output, and there‐
fore start-off gradeability, will decrease with
increasing altitude.
Coupling/uncoupling a trailer
Coupling a trailer
*
NOTE Damage to the vehicle battery due
to full discharge
Charging the trailer battery using the power
supply of the trailer can damage the vehicle
battery.
#
Do not use the vehicle's power supply
to charge the trailer battery.
#
Shift the selector lever to position
j
.
#
Apply the vehicle's parking brake.
#
Close all the doors.
#
Position the trailer on a level surface behind
the vehicle.
%
The ball head height changes depending on
the vehicle's load. In this case, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable trailer drawbar.
#
Couple up the trailer.
#
Establish all electrical and other connections
to the trailer.
#
Remove objects or devices which prevent the
trailer from rolling, e.g. wheel chocks.
#
Release the trailer's parking brake.
%
The vehicle harness has a cable connection
to the brake light indicator lamp.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer dimen‐
sions (width and length).
Most US states and all Canadian provinces pre‐
scribe the following points, and you are urgently
recommended to comply with these:
R
Safety chains between the towing vehicle and
the trailer. The chains should be routed in a
criss-cross pattern under the trailer drawbar.
They must be connected to the trailer tow
hitch and not to the bumper or to the vehicle
axle.
Leave sufficient slack in the chains. This
allows for even sharp cornering.
R
A separate brake system is required for cer‐
tain trailers.
R
A safety feature is required for braked trailers.
Determine the specific requirements accord‐
ing to the relevant laws.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow‐
ing vehicle, the safety feature triggers the
trailer brakes and can thus reduce the danger.
Uncoupling a trailer
&
WARNING Risk of being crushed and
becoming trapped when uncoupling a
trailer
When uncoupling a trailer with an engaged
inertia-activated brake, your hand may
become trapped between the vehicle and the
trailer drawbar.
#
Do not uncouple trailers with an
engaged overrun brake.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an overrun brake in
a state of overrun. Otherwise, the rebound of the
overrun brake can damage your vehicle.
#
Shift the selector lever to position
j
.
#
Apply the vehicle's parking brake.
#
Close all the doors.
#
Apply the trailer's parking brake.
#
Secure the trailer against rolling away with a
wheel chock or similar object.
#
Remove the trailer cables and safety chains.
#
Uncouple the trailer.
Information about towing a trailer
Operating a trailer is subject to many statutory
regulations such as speed restrictions.
Many states also require an auxiliary separate
functional braking system when towing a weight
that exceeds a certain limit. For your safety, it is
Driving and parking 167
