Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual: Loading the trailer
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
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 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.
In the interest of road safety, Volkswagen recommends that you always transport 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 result.
Gross combination weight rating
The combination weight is made up of the actual weight of the loaded vehicle and of the loaded trailer.
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:
- Distribute loads 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 .
WARNING
- 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.
WARNING
- Always load trailers correctly.
- Always secure loads using suitable and undamaged securing straps.
Hitching and connecting the trailer
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings Emergency breakaway cable
Always fasten the trailer's emergency breakaway cable properly to the towing
vehicle. Leav ...
Towing a trailer
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the dipped
beam to blind other r ...
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Note
There are different designs and makes of heater and air
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Removing and installing lock carrier – petrol/diesel
Note
The lock carrier is a safety-relevant component. For this reason, the
lock carrier must only be repaired at the points indicated.
In the event of damage, renew lock carrier
For vehicles with adaptive cruise control unit -J428-, the adaptive
cruise control unit -J428- must be adjus ...
Operating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Fig. 169 Left-hand side of the multifunction
steering wheel: buttons for operating the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings When the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is switched on,
the green indicator lamp in the instrument cl ...
