towing VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC 2018 Owner's Manual

NOTICE
Never drop the luggage compartment floor; guide it slowly back down. The trims or the luggage
compartment floor could otherwise be damaged.

NOTICE
In the upper position, the variable luggage compartment floor has a maximum load capacity of
120 kg.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, there may be compartments for stowing small items under
the luggage compartment floor.
Luggage compartment equipment
Fastening rings

Fig. 151 In the luggage compartment: fixed and folding fastening rings.
There are fastening rings Fig. 151at the front and rear of the luggage compartment which can be
used to secure loose items and luggage with the help of lashing, retaining or securing straps.

WARNING
Unsuitable or damaged lashing, retaining or securing straps could tear in the event of a braking
manoeuvre or accident. This could cause objects to be flung through the vehicle interior and lead to
severe or fatal injuries.
Always use suitable and undamaged lashing, retaining or securing straps.
Pull lashing, retaining and securing straps taut crosswise over the cargo on the luggage compartment
floor and attach securely to the fastening rings.
Never exceed the maximum load rating of the fastening rings when securing objects.
Make sure that the upper edge of the load is higher than the fastening rings, particularly when
stowing flat objects.

The vehicle height exceeds the required clearance height, e.g. in a garage.

NOTICE
Always remove the roof carrier before driving through an automatic car wash.
The height of the vehicle is changed by the installation of a roof carrier and the load secured to it.
Check and compare the height of the vehicle with clearance heights, e.g. for underpasses and garage
doors.
The roof carrier and its load must not obstruct you from opening and closing the glass roof and the
boot lid. The roof aerial must also remain unaffected.

Driving with a fitted roof carrier will increase air resistance and thus increase fuel consumption.
Trailer towing
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
Technical requirements
Fitting the removable ball head
Removing the ball head
Notes on towing a trailer
Loading the trailer
Driving with a trailer
Trailer stabilisation
Retrofitting a towing bracket
The vehicle can be used to tow a trailer if it has the required technical equipment for this. The
additional trailer load will affect the amount of wear, fuel consumption and performance of the
vehicle and, in certain circumstances, could shorten the service intervals.
Driving with a trailer not only places an extra load on the vehicle, but also requires increased
concentration on the part of the driver.
Vehicles with start/stop system
When using towing brackets that were not retrofitted by Volkswagen, the start/stop system must be
deactivated manually using the button in the centre console before towing a trailer, and it must
remain deactivated for as long as a trailer is being towed

DANGER
It is dangerous to transport people in a trailer and it may also be illegal.

WARNING
Improper use of the towing bracket can lead to a loss of vehicle control, accidents and serious
injuries.
Only use the towing bracket if it is fitted properly and is not damaged.
Do not carry out any alterations or repairs to the towing bracket.
Wherever possible, swivel in or remove the ball head when a trailer is not being used in order to
reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists when
the vehicle is parked.
Never install a weight-distributing or load-balancing towing bracket to the vehicle. The vehicle is not
designed for these kinds of towing brackets. The towing bracket can fail, causing the trailer to tear
loose from the vehicle.

WARNING
Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky items can change the vehicle handling and increase
the braking distance. This can lead to accidents.
Always secure loads properly using suitable and undamaged lashing, retaining or securing straps.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.
Trailers with a high centre of gravity are more likely to tip over than trailers with a low centre of
gravity.
Always drive carefully and think ahead. Accelerate very carefully and gently. Avoid abrupt and
sudden driving and braking manoeuvres.
Take special care when overtaking. Reduce your speed immediately if the trailer shows even the
slightest sign of snaking.
Never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph) when towing a trailer, also 100 km/h (60 mph) in
exceptional cases. This also applies to countries where higher speeds are permitted. Keep to
country-specific speed limits, which may be lower for vehicles with trailers than for vehicles without
trailers.
Never try to stop a trailer from snaking by increasing your speed.
Never install a weight-distributing or load-balancing towing bracket on the vehicle.

WARNING
The start/stop system must always be switched off manually when towing a trailer using towing
brackets that have not been retrofitted by Volkswagen. Otherwise faults can occur in the brake
system, possibly resulting in accidents and serious injuries.

NOTICE
Observe the instructions and information for vehicles with an N1 approval Information about
vehicles wit

Always switch off the anti-theft alarm before a trailer is hitched or unhitched or a bicycle carrier is
loaded or unloaded Anti-theft alarm
unintentionally.

With a new engine, do not tow a trailer during the first 1,000 km Running in the engine

Some retrofitted towing brackets may cover the aperture for fitting the towing eye. If so, the towing
eye cannot be used for towing or tow-starting other vehicles. For this reason, the removed ball head
of a retrofitted towing bracket should be kept in the vehicle at all times.
Technical requirements
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Cooling system
There is an increased load on the engine and the cooling system when towing a trailer. The cooling
system must contain sufficient coolant and be able to cope with the extra load due to trailer towing.
Trailer brake
If the trailer is equipped with its own brake system, comply with the relevant regulations.
Trailer tail light clusters
The trailer tail light clusters must work correctly and meet legal requirements. Do not exceed the
maximum power consumption for the trailer.
Exterior mirrors
If you are unable to see the traffic behind the trailer using the vehicle's standard exterior mirrors,
additional exterior mirrors should be fitted in accordance with any country-specific regulations.
Before setting off, adjust the exterior mirrors so that you have a sufficient view towards the rear.

Only use a towing bracket which has been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle type. Always
check and observe the data provided by the towing bracket manufacturer.
Maximum power consumption of the trailer's electrical consumers
Never exceed the specified values.
Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America
All brake lights 84 watts
Turn signal per side 42 watts
All side lights 100 watts
All tail lights 42 watts
Rear fog light 42 watts

Australia
All brake lights 108 watts
Turn signal per side 54 watts
All side lights 100 watts
All tail lights 54 watts
Rear fog light 54 watts

WARNING
If the towing bracket is unsuitable or incorrectly fitted, the trailer could become detached from the
towing vehicle. This can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries.
Never fit a towing bracket to the rear bumper or its mountings. The towing bracket must not prevent
the rear bumper from functioning correctly.
Do not carry out any alterations to the exhaust or brake systems.

NOTICE

Never connect the trailer's electrical system directly to the electrical connections of the tail light
clusters or to other power sources. Use only suitable connectors to supply power to the trailer.

Towing a trailer places additional demands on the vehicle. Volkswagen recommends additional
services between the normal inspection intervals if the vehicle is used frequently for towing a trailer.
Fitting the removable ball head

Fig. 155 Overview: removable ball head.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Key toFig. 155
Protective cap 1)
Ball head
Retaining balls
Shank
Centring device
Release lever
Keys
Lock cap

Step 5: safety check
Before hitching a trailer, check if the ball head is fixed correctly.
The locking lever Fig. 155
The green section of the release pin

The lock must be locked and the key
The lock cover

WARNING
Improper use of the towing bracket can cause injuries and accidents.

t diameter of the ball Fig. 155mm, do not use the towing
bracket.
injuries.
been pre-tensioned. When the ball head is
pressed into the mounting, the locking lever will spring back to its original position.
workshop.
wing bracket if the ball head does not engage properly or if you are unable to
pre-tension it.
ball head has been mounted. This means that ball head is not locked properly.


NOTICE
and undamaged. Otherwise you may not be able to lock the ball head securely.
-pressure hose or steam cleaner directly at the ball head mounting. This could
wash the grease required for lubrication out of the mounting.
1) Not always included in the scope of delivery.

oving the ball head
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Electronic parking brake

ailer and disconnect the electrical connection between the vehicle and the trailer.
If fitted, remove adapters from the trailer socket.
Fig. 155

e key clockwise until the part of the key with the hole is at the top.


he ball head is pre-tensioned.

tensioned ball head safely with the vehicle toolkit.

damage to the mounting.


WARNING
The removable ball head is heavy. The ball head could fall while it is being removed. This could cause
injuries.

Notes on towing a trailer

156 Pin assignment for the trailer socket (illustration).
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Pin assignment for the trailer socket Fig. 156
Left turn signal
Rear fog light
Earth for pins 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Right turn signal
Tail light, right
Brake light
Tail light, left
Reversing light
Permanent positive
Permanent positive
Earth for pin 10
Not assigned
Earth for pin 9
Trailer socket
A 13-pin trailer socket produces the electrical connection between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
When the vehicle electrically detects a trailer, the consumers in the trailer are supplied with an
electrical voltage via the electrical connection (pins 9 and 10). Pin 9 is assigned as the permanent
positive, enabling operation of the trailer interior lighting, for example.
Electrical consumers such as a caravan refrigerator are supplied with power only when the engine is
running (pin 10).
To avoid overloading the electrical system, do not connect the earth wires (pins 3, 11 and 13) with
each other.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to use a suitable adapter cable. The function of pin 10 is
then not available.

vehicle, please contact a qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen
dealership for this purpose.
Connection to the anti-theft alarm
The trailer is integrated in the anti-theft system if the following conditions are fulfilled:
-fitted anti-theft alarm and a factory-fitted towing bracket.

ult-free and undamaged.
-theft alarm is active.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm will be triggered as soon as the electrical connection to the
trailer is interrupted.
Connection to the anti-theft alarm (trailer with LED tail light clusters)
For technical reasons, trailers with LED tail light clusters cannot be integrated into the anti-theft
alarm system.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is not triggered as soon as the electrical connection to the
trailer with LED tail light clusters is interrupted.

WARNING
Any electrical cables which are not connected properly or are connected incorrectly could cause the
trailer to become live. This could lead to malfunctions in the entire vehicle electronics system and
could also cause accidents and serious injuries.

wing
vehicle's tail light clusters or to other power sources.

WARNING
Contact between the pins in the trailer socket can lead to short circuits, overloading of the electrical
system and failure of the lighting system, thereby causing accidents and serious injuries.



NOTICE