VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC 2021 Owner´s Manual

The vehicle electronics system may be damaged if the trailer's power consumption is too high.
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⇒Introduction 
Key to⇒ Fig. 155 
Protective cap 1)
Ball head
Retaining balls
Shank
Centring device
Release lever
Keys
Lock cap

Release pin with coloured marking
The removable ball head is located with the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.
Step 1: preparations
Remove the cap from the ball head mounting under the rear bumper ⇒ Rear view  and stow in the
vehicle.
Starting from the bottom right side, swivel the trailer socket as far as possible to the top left. This
gives you access to the ball head mounting.
Check to ensure that the mounting, locking lever ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑥, shank ④ and the retaining balls
③ of the ball head are all clean and not damaged ⇒ . Clean if necessary.
Step 2: check whether the ball head is pre-tensioned
The ball head cannot be fitted properly unless it is pre-tensioned.
The following conditions must be fulfilled:
The lock cover ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑧ is open and the key ⑦ is inserted
The release pin ⑨ can be moved.
The locking lever ⑥ is in the bottom position.
All retaining balls ③ can be pressed fully into the shank ④.
If all these conditions are met, continue with Step 4.
If conditions are not met, continue with Step 3.
Step 3: pre-tensioning the ball head
If the ball head is not pre-tensioned, pre-tension the ball head as follows:
Remove the lock cover ⑧ from the lock and insert the key ⑦ into the lock.
Turn the key ⑦ anti-clockwise until the part of the key with the hole is at the top.
Press the release pin ⑨ and at the same time press the locking lever ⑥ down as far as it will go ⇒
 . The locking lever remains locked in this position.
Step 4: attaching the pre-tensioned ball head to the vehicle
Do not touch the locking lever once the ball head has been pre-tensioned. When the ball head is
engaged, the locking lever will spring back to its original position and could cause injury ⇒ .
Guide the pre-tensioned removable ball head into the mounting tube from below.
Push the ball head firmly upwards until it engages. The centring devices ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑤ must engage
in the mounting points on the vehicle.
The locking lever ⑥ automatically turns up to its original position and the green section of the
release pin ⑨ is visible.

Turn the key ⑦ clockwise until the part of the lock with the holes is at the top.
Fit the lock cap ⑧ on the lock and place the key ⑦ in the vehicle toolkit.
Step 5: safety check
Before hitching a trailer, check if the ball head is fixed correctly.
The locking lever ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑥ is in the uppermost position.
The green section of the release pin ⑨ is visible.
Shake the ball head ② or pull it down with some force. It must sit firmly in the mounting ⇒ .
The lock must be locked and the key ⑦ removed.
The lock cover ⑧ must cover the lock in the locking lever.

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

t diameter of the ball ⇒ Fig. 155  ③ is less than 49 mm, 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.

Removing the ball head
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
⇒ 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  ⑧ from the lock in the locking lever and insert the key ⑦ into
the lock.
e key ⑦ anti-clockwise until the part of the key with the hole is at the top.
② with your hand.
⑨ and at the same time press the locking lever ⑥ down as far as it will go
⇒ . The ball head is pre-tensioned.

⑥ and stow the pre-tensioned ball head safely with the vehicle toolkit.
② with your hand.
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

Fig. 156 Pin assignment for the trailer socket (illustration).
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
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.

If you are uncertain whether the trailer has been properly electrically connected to the towing
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

If you park the trailer using the support wheel or other trailer supports, the trailer must be
unhitched from the vehicle. The vehicle could move up and down if the load changes or if there is
damage to the tyres, for example. If this happens, a great deal of force will be exerted on the towing
bracket and trailer, which could lead to damage to the vehicle and trailer.

If there is a fault in the vehicle or trailer electrical systems or in the anti-theft alarm, have the vehicle
checked by a qualified workshop.

If the 12-volt vehicle battery charge level is low, the electrical connection to the trailer will be
interrupted automatically.
Loading the trailer
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
Trailer weight and drawbar load
The trailer weight is the weight that the vehicle can pull ⇒ .
The drawbar load is the load that is exerted vertically from above onto the ball head of the towing
bracket.
The figures for trailer weights and drawbar weights that are given on the data plate of the towing
bracket are for certification purposes only. The correct values for your specific model, which may be
lower than these figures, are given in the vehicle registration documents. All data in the official
vehicle documents take precedence over these data.
The maximum permitted drawbar load exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball head of the towing
bracket must not exceed 80 kg.
In the interest of driving safety, Volkswagen recommends that you always use the maximum
drawbar load. The handling of the vehicle combination will be impaired if the drawbar load is too
low.
The drawbar load increases the weight on the rear axle and reduces the maximum payload of the
vehicle as a result.
Gross combination weight
The gross combination weight is made up of the actual weight of the loaded vehicle and of the
loaded trailer.
In some countries, trailers are divided into different classes. Volkswagen recommends that you
contact a qualified workshop to find out about suitable trailers.
Loading the trailer
The weight of the load should be distributed evenly. The maximum permitted drawbar load should
be utilised. Do not place the load only at the front or the rear of the trailer:

possible.

Tyre pressure
Follow the trailer manufacturer's recommendations concerning the tyre pressure for the trailer
tyres.
When towing a trailer, inflate the wheels on the towing vehicle with the maximum permitted tyre
pressure ⇒ Tyre pressure .

WARNING
Accidents and serious injuries can occur if you exceed the vehicle's maximum permitted gross axle
weight rating, drawbar load, gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating.

exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight for the vehicle 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.

secure loads using suitable and undamaged lashing, retaining or securing straps.
Driving with a trailer
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the dipped beam to dazzle other
road users. Use the headlight range control to lower the light cone as required. Vehicles with
dynamic headlight range control are adjusted 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.

prior to downhill gradients (manual gearbox or Tiptronic mode of the
automatic gearbox) to additionally make use of engine braking. The brake system could otherwise
overheat and fail.
will change because of the
trailer load and the increased combined towing weight of the vehicle and trailer.
When driving with this combination, drive particularly carefully and slowly.
Pulling off on slopes when towing a trailer
Depending on the steepness of the uphill gradient and the total weight of the trailer and vehicle, a
vehicle towing a trailer could roll back a short distance when moving off on a hill.
When towing a trailer, pull off on slopes as follows:

once to switch off the electronic parking brake ⇒ Electronic parking brake .
ly.
⇒ Manual gearbox: selecting a gear  or selector lever position D/S⇒ DSG® dual
clutch gearbox .
button and hold it in this position to hold the vehicle and trailer with the electronic
parking brake.
ake pedal.

button only when the engine has sufficient power to move off.

WARNING
Incorrect trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
and increase the braking distance.

pt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.

care when overtaking. Reduce your speed immediately if the trailer shows even the
slightest sign of snaking.

trailers than for vehicles
without trailers.
Trailer stabilisation
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
The trailer stabilisation function can detect if an attached trailer is starting to snake and can
countersteer.
Trailer stabilisation is an extension of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
If trailer snaking is detected, the trailer stabilisation function automatically helps to reduce the
snaking motion of the trailer using counter steering assistance.
Requirements for trailer stabilisation
-fitted or a compatible towing bracket has been retrofitted.
or in the instrument cluster is not lit up.
trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer socket.
mph).


have a mechanical overrun system.

WARNING
Do not let the extra safety afforded by the trailer stabilisation function tempt you into taking any
risks when driving.
conditions.



WARNING
The trailer stabilisation function may not be able to detect all driving situations correctly.
Trailer stabilisation is switched off when ESC is deactivated.
stabilised accordingly in all cases.