Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual: 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 road users. Use the headlight range control to lower the light cone as required. If you do not have headlight range control, the headlights should be adjusted by a qualified workshop. Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs adjust automatically and do not require manual adjustment.

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.

• The combination weight causes the braking distance 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 trailer 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.

Pulling off on slopes when towing a trailer

Depending on the steepness of the slope and the total weight of the trailer and vehicle, a parked vehicle towing a trailer can roll back a short distance when pulling away on a hill.

When towing a trailer, pull off on slopes as follows:

• Depress and hold the brake pedal.

• Press button once to switch off the electronic parking brake   .

• Pull on the button and hold it in this position to hold the vehicle and trailer with the electronic parking brake.

• Manual gearbox: depress the clutch fully.

• Select first gear or D   .

• Release the brake pedal.

• Pull away slowly. To do this, slowly release the clutch pedal for a manual gearbox.

• Only let go of the button when the engine has sufficient power to move off.

WARNING

• 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.

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

• Accelerate 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 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.