Volkswagen Golf GTI 2016, Owner'S Manual

Page: 550 / 1341

great deal of stress on the vehicle, the attachment of a trailer to the
vehicle and the dimensions of the receiver and ball mount are very
important so that the extra forces the vehicle has to withstand can
be properly handled.
The receiver used requires both a ball mount and a ball that meet
special requirements regarding geometry and size. This applies to
both the height of the ball above the surface where it attaches
→ Fig. 107 Ⓐ , and the pin-to-ball distance → Fig. 107 Ⓑ .
These dimensions are important because they help determine the
way that the forces that arise during towing are applied to the
receiver and its attachments to the vehicle. If you buy a ball mount
and ball, make sure that they meet the following specifications.
Ball mount dimensions
The drop height Ⓐ from the center of the ball to the center of the
hole for the securing pin on the ball mount must be at least 1 inch
(25.4 mm) and at most 2
7
/
8
inches (73 mm).
The pin-to-ball distance Ⓑ from the center of the ball to the center
of the hole for the securing pin on the ball mount must be no more
than 7 inches (178 mm).
The ball diameter must be no more than 1
1
/
4
inches (32 mm).