that you contact a qualified workshop to find
out about suitable trailers.
Loading a trailer
The vehicle and trailer should be balanced.
For this purpose, the maximum permitted
drawbar load should be utilised. Do not place
the load only at the front or the rear of the
trailer:
— Distribute the load in the trailer so that
heavy objects are either over or as near to
the axle as possible.
— Secure all loads on the trailer properly.
Tyre pressure
Follow the trailer manufacturer's recommen-
dations concerning the tyre pressure for the
trailer tyres.
When towing a trailer, inflate the tyres on the
towing vehicle with the maximum permitted
WARNING
Accidents and serious injuries can occur if
you exceed the vehicle's maximum permit-
ted gross axle weight rating, drawbar load,
gross vehicle weight rating or gross combi-
nation weight rating.
·
Never exceed the specified values.
·
Never let the actual weights at the front
and rear axles exceed the gross axle
weight ratings. Never exceed the per-
missible gross vehicle weight for the ve-
hicle with weight at the front and rear of
the vehicle.
WARNING
Loads that may slide can severely impair
stability and driving safety, which can
cause accidents and severe injuries.
·
Always load trailers correctly.
·
Always secure loads properly using suit-
able and undamaged lashing, retaining
or securing straps.
Driving with a trailer
Please refer to , and at the start
Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the
vehicle so that the dipped beam dazzles other
road users. Use the headlight range control
to lower the light cone as required. Vehicles
with dynamic headlight range control are ad-
justed automatically.
Things to note when driving with a trailer
— If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply
the brakes
gently at first
and then firmly.
This will prevent the jerking that can be
caused by the trailer wheels locking.
— The combination weight causes the brak-
ing distance to increase.
— Select a higher brake energy recuperation
level on downhill gradients. This will make
use of the electric drive braking effect and
relieve the load on the brakes. The brake
system could otherwise overheat and fail.
— The vehicle's centre of gravity and in turn
the vehicle handling will change because
of the trailer load and the increased gross
weight of the vehicle and trailer.
— The weight distribution of a loaded trailer
with an unladen towing vehicle is very un-
favourable. When driving in this situation,
drive particularly carefully and slowly.
Pulling off on uphill gradients when towing
a trailer
A vehicle towing a trailer is liable to roll back
a short distance when moving off on an uphill
slope depending on the gradient and the
gross weight of the trailer and vehicle.
When towing a trailer, pull off on uphill gra-
dient as follows:
— Depress and hold the brake pedal.
— Switch the electronic parking brake off
— Select position D/B.
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Transporting items