towing VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 2015 Owner´s Manual

A WARNING (Continued)
• If the ball coupling will not fit properly, the towing bracket should be checked by a quali-fied workshop.
• Do not use the towing bracket If the ball coupling does not engage properly or if you are unable to set it to the "ready" position.
• Do not use the towing bracket if you are unable to remove the key from the handwheel once the ball coupling has been mounted. This means that ball coupling Is not locked properly.
Removing the ball coupling
r--T'n First read and observe the Introductory L-J.:.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 139.
• Unhitch the trailer => &.
• Remove the cover =>Fig. 113 ®from the lock on the handwheel.
• Insert the key® into the lock and turn it clock-wise.
• Hold the ball coupling tightly in your left hand =>&.
• Use your right hand to pull out the handwheel 0 in the direction of arrow 1 and keep it in this po-sition.
• Turn the handwheel 0 in the direction of arrow 2 until it engages.
Hitching and connecting the trailer
Fig. 114 Pin assignment for the trailer socket.
1441 Before the journey
A WARNING (Continued)
• Always fasten the ball coupling securely In the luggage compartment once it has been removed.
CD
• The mounting on the vehicle, handwheel, shank and ball coupling retaining balls must all be clean and undamaged. Otherwise you may not be able to lock the ball coupling securely.
• Do not aim a high-pressure hose or steam cleaner directly at the ball coupling mounting. This could wash the grease required for lubri-cation out of the mounting. • Keep the handwheel in this position and guide the ball coupling downwards out of the mounting. The ball coupling is now in the ready position.
• Pivot the trailer socket back fully from left to right to prevent soiling and damage to the mount-ing.
• Insert the cap in the mounting again.
A WARNING
The removable ball coupling Is heavy. The ball coupling could fall while it Is being re-moved. This could cause Injuries.
• Only unlock the ball coupling once the L-tr_a_ile_r_h_a_s __ be_e_n __ u_n_hi_tc_h_e_d_. ____________
r--T'n First read and observe the Introductory L-J.:.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 139.
Key to diagram Fig. 114:
Pin Meaning
1 Left turn signal
2 Rear fog light
3 Earth for pins 1 -8
4 Right turn signal
5 Rear light, right
6 Brake light
7 Rear light, left

Key to diagram Fig. 114:
Pin Meaning
8 Reversing light
9 Permanent live
10 Charging cable plus
11 Earth pin 10, charging cable
12 Not assigned
13 Earth pin 9, permanent live
Trailer socket
A 13-pin trailer socket makes the electrical connec-tion between the towing vehicle and the trailer. When the engine is running, electrical consumers in the trailer are supplied with voltage (charging ca-ble) via the electrical connection (pin 10 of the trail-er socket). If required, the charging cable charges the caravan's battery.
When a trailer is electrically detected, electrical consumers in the trailer are supplied with voltage (permanent live) via the electrical connection (pin 9). Permanent live supplies a trailer's interior lighting for example. Electrical consumers such as a caravan refrigerator are supplied with voltage on-ly when the engine is running (pin 1 0).
To avoid overloading the electrical system, do not inter-connect the three earth wires (pins 3, 11 and 13).
If the trailer has a 7 -pin plug you will need to use a suitable adapter cable. Pin 10 (charging cable) is then without function.
Emergency breakaway cable
Always fasten the trailer's emergency breakaway cable properly to the towing vehicle. Leave enough slack in the emergency breakaway cable so that the vehicle can still drive around corners. However the emergency breakaway cable should not drag along the ground while you are driving.
Trailer rear lights
Ensure that the trailer lights work properly and meet legal requirements. Do not exceed the maxi-mum power consumption for the trailer 142.
Connection to the anti-theft alarm
The trailer is integrated in the anti-theft system if the following conditions are fulfilled:
• When the vehicle has a factory-fitted anti-theft alarm and a factory-fitted towing bracket.
• When the trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer socket.
• When the vehicle and trailer electric systems are functional, fault-free and undamaged.
• When the vehicle is locked with the vehicle key and the anti-theft alarm is active.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm will be trig-gered as soon as the electrical connection to the trailer is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm when a trailer is being hitched or unhitched. The tilt sensor could otherwise trigger an alarm unnecessarily.
Trailer with LED rear lights
For technical reasons, trailers with LED tail lights cannot be integrated into the anti-theft alarm sys-tem.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is not trig-gered as soon as the electrical connection to the trailer with LED rear lights is interrupted.
A WARNING
Any electrical cables that are not connected properly could cause a power surge to the trailer. This could cause faults tn the entire vehicle electronics system and also lead to accidents and serious Injuries.
• All work on the electric system should be carried out by a qualified workshop.
• Never connect the trailer's electrical sys-tem directly to the electrical connections of the tail lights or to other sources of electrici-ty.
CD
If you park the trailer using the support wheel or other trailer supports, disconnect the trailer from the vehicle. The vehicle could rock up and down if the load changes or if there is damage to the tyres. If this happens, a great deal of force will be exerted on the towing bracket and trailer, which could lead to damage to the vehi-cle and trailer.
CD
Maximum power consumption of the trailer should not be exceeded. Otherwise, the vehicle electrical system could be damaged.
m If there is a fault in the vehicle or trailer elec-L.:!.J trical systems or in the anti-theft alarm, have the systems checked by a qualified workshop.
m If the engine is not running and electrical L.:!.J equipment is switched on in the trailer via the trailer socket, the vehicle battery will discharge. .,.
Transporting Items 145

m If the vehicle battery charge level is low, the W electrical connection to the trailer will be in-terrupted automatically.
Loading the trailer
ill1 First read and observe the introductory L-W.! information and safety warnings & on page 139.
Trailer weight and drawbar load
The trailer weight is the weight that the vehicle can pull &. The drawbar load is the weight that the towing bracket exerts on the ball coupling vertically from above.
The figures for trailer weights and draw bar weights that are given on the data plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The cor-rect values for your specific model, which may be lower than these figures, are given in the vehicle registration documents. All data in the official vehi-cle documents take precedence over these data.
In the interest of road safety, Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles recommends that you always trans-port the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will be poor if the drawbar load is too small.
The drawbar load increases the weight on the rear axle and reduces the maximum load level as a re-sult.
Gross combination weight rating
The combination weight is made up of the actual weight of the loaded vehicle and of the loaded trail-er.
Loading the trailer
The weight of the load should be distributed even-ly. The maximum permitted drawbar load should be utilised. Do not place the load only at the front or the rear of the trailer:
Towing a trailer
ill1 First read and observe the introductory L-W.! information and safety warnings & on page 139.
146 Before the Journey
m When the engine is running, electrical con-w sumers in the trailer are supplied with voltage via the electrical connection (pin 9 and pin 10 of the trailer socket). • 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 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 367.
A 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.
• 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 permissible gross vehicle weight for the vehicle with weight at the front and rear of the vehicle.
A wARNING
Loads that may slide can severely Impair sta-bility and driving safety, which can cause ac-cidents and severe injuries.
• Always load trailers correctly .
• Always secure loads using suitable and undamaged securing straps.
Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehi-cle enough for the dipped beam to blind other road users. Use the headlight range control to lower the
light cone as required 113. .,.

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 pre-vent the jerking that can be caused by the trailer wheels locking.
• The combination weight causes the braking dis-tance to increase.
• Select a low gear before driving down a slope. This enables you to use the engine braking effect to slow down the vehicle. The brake system could otherwise overheat and fail.
• The vehicle's centre of gravity and, in turn, the vehicle's handling, will change because of the trail-er load and the increased combined towing weight of the vehicle and trailer.
• The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen towing vehicle is very unfavourable. When driving in this situation, drive particularly carefully and slowly.
Tachograph
In most European countries, a tachograph has to be installed in the vehicle and used if the gross combination weight rating of the vehicle and trailer is over 3,500 kg.
• Observe the legal requirements governing the use of tachographs.
Pulling off on slopes when towing a trailer
A vehicle towing a trailer is liable to roll back a short distance when moving off on a slope, de-pending on the angle of the slope and the total weight of the trailer and vehicle.
When towing a trailer, pull off on slopes as follows:
• Depress and hold the brake pedal.
• Manual gearbox: depress the clutch fully.
• Select first gear or D =:o page 260, Changing gears.
Trailer stabilisation
r-('n First read and observe the introductory L-J,:.U information and safety warnings & on page 139.
The trailer stabilisation function can de-
tect if an attached trailer is starting to
lurch from side to side and can provide
countersteer.
• Unlock hand brake and carefully release while holding down lock button. At the same time, gently depress the accelerator and, in a manual vehicle, release the clutch pedal, until you feel the vehicle moving forwards. If necessary, read the notes on the Hill Hold Assist function =:o page 282, Pull-away assist systems.
• Only let go of the handbrake lever when the en-gine has sufficient power to move off.
• Pull away slowly.
A WARNING
Incorrect trailer towing can cause loss of ve-hicle control and serious personal injury.
• Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky items can change the way the vehicle handles and increase the braking distance.
• Always drive carefully and think ahead. Brake earlier than in normal driving.
• Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic con-ditions. Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.
• Accelerate carefully and gently. Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking ma-noeuvres.
• Take special care when overtaking. Re-duce your speed immediately if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of snaking.
• Never try to stop a trailer from snaking by increasing your speed.
• Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers. The trailer stabilisation function is an extension to the electronic stabilisation program (ESC). it helps to reduce the risk of skidding when a trailer is be-ing towed.
If, however, the effects of this snaking on the vehi-cle are detected via the ESC control unit, the vehi-cle is braked automatically by the ESC in order to stabilise the trailer. In this case the ABS indicator lamp flashes .,.
Transporting items 1147

Requirements for trailer stabilisation
• The vehicle is a factory-fitted towing bracket or a compatible towing bracket is fitted.
• ESC is active. The indicator lamp in the in-strument cluster is not lit up.
• The trailer is electrically connected to the tow-ing vehicle via the trailer socket.
• The vehicle speed is higher than approximately 60 km/h (37 mph).
• The maximum drawbar load is being carried.
• The trailer must have a rigid drawbar.
• Trailers with brakes must have a mechanical overrun system.
A WARNING
De not let the extra safety afforded by the trailer stabilisation function tempt you into taking any risks when driving-this can cause accidents.
• Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic con-ditions.
1481 Before the JOUrney
A WARNING (Continued)
• Accelerate carefully on slippery surfaces.
• Take your foot off the accelerator if one of the systems is active.
A wARNING
The trailer stabillsation function may not be able to detect all driving situations correctly.
• Light trailers that are snaking will not be recognised by the trailer stabilisation func-tion and stabilised accordingly in all cases.
• A trailer can still jack-knife on slippery roads with little grip, even if the towing vehi-cle is equipped with the trailer stabilisation system.
• Trailers with a high centre of gravity might tip over before snaking starts.
• Sudden braking procedures could occur automatically In extreme driving situations If the trailer socket Is being used without a trail-er (e.g. for a bicycle carrier with lighting).