Swinging out using the switch in the tail-
gate:
X
Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X
Open the tailgate.
X
Pull switch
:
briefly.
After a short time the ball coupling swings out
from under the rear bumper. It can take up to
seven seconds before the ball coupling visibly
swings out.
X
Remove the protective covering from the ball
coupling and store it in a safe place.
Until the ball coupling securely engages and
locks in a vertical position:
R
indicator lamp
;
flashes
R
the multifunction display shows the display
message
Trailer coupling extend‐
Trailer coupling extend‐
ing...
ing...
.
The ball coupling swivels back into the out-of-
use position when:
R
you drive off before the
Trailer
Trailer coupling
coupling
extending...
extending...
display message has disap-
peared from the multifunction display
R
the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in
the swinging range
Further information:
R
Display messages when towing a trailer
(
Y
page 332)
R
Problems when swivelling the ball coupling
(
Y
page 279)
Coupling up a trailer
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
If you disconnect the trailer cable, the vehicle
is lowered. This can cause you or others to
become trapped between the vehicle body
and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This
poses a risk of injury.
Make sure that no-one is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the
vehicle when disconnecting the trailer cable.
Steel-sprung vehicles
X
Shift the transmission to position P.
X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X
Position the trailer horizontally behind the
vehicle.
X
Couple up the trailer.
X
Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X
Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing.
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package
!
Before beginning the journey, make sure
that the trailer support wheel is completely
raised. Otherwise, the trailer or the vehicle
could be damaged by the lowered trailer sup-
port wheel during the journey.
X
Shift the transmission to position P.
X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X
Start the engine.
X
Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering
package: set the vehicle level to normal level
(
Y
page 216).
X
Vehicles without the Off-Road Engineer-
ing package: select the Comfort drive pro-
gram using the DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(
Y
page 221).
X
Switch off the engine.
X
Close the doors and tailgate.
X
Position the trailer horizontally behind the
vehicle.
X
Couple up the trailer.
X
Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
Towing a trailer
275
Driving
and
parking
Z