Volkswagen Touareg Trailer Towing 2013 Owner's Manual
Trailer towing
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Technical requirement
Hitching up and connecting a trailer
Loading the trailer
Driving with a trailer
Ball mount
Retrofitting a trailer hitch
Maximum permissible trailer weight
Obey country-specific requirements about trailer towing and trailer hitches.
Your Volkswagen was mainly designed for carrying passengers. If you plan to tow a trailer, please
remember your vehicle will be performing a job for which it was not primarily intended. The additional
load will affect durability, handling, fuel economy, and perfo rma nc e, an d may require the vehicle to be
serviced more often.
Trailer towing not only places more stress on the vehicle, it calls for more concentration from the
driver. Always follow the operating and driving instructions given, and u se comm on s en se .
Under winter conditions, install winter tires on the vehicle and the trailer.
Tongue weight
The maximum permissible trailer tongue weight exerted on the ball mount must not exceed 616 lbs
(280 kg).
More information:
Anti-theft alarm system
Lights
Brakes
Saving fuel and helping the environment
Starting assistance systems
Tires and wheels
Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
.
Riding in a trailer is dangerous and may be illegal.
WARNING
.
Improper use of the trailer hitch ca n c aus e accidents and injuries. An improperl y in st alled,
incorrect, or damaged trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from th e towing vehicle
and cause serious personal injuries.
Only use an undamaged, properly mounted trailer hitch.
Never repair or modify the trailer hi tch.
To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists
when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball moun t when you are not towing a trailer.
Never install a “weight distributing” or “load equalizing” trailer hitch on your vehicle. The
vehicle was not designed for these kinds of trailer hitches. The trai ler hi tch attac h men t can
fail, causing the trailer to tear loose from the vehicle.
WARNING
.
Improper trailer towing can cau se l oss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
Driving with a trailer and CARrying heavy or large things can change the way the vehicle
handles, increase the distance it needs to stop safely, and cause accidents.
Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will
not shift.
Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the
vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under
unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
Trailers with a high center of gravity tip more easily than trailers with a low center of
gravity.
Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
Be especially CAReful when passing other vehicles.
Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest sign of sw aying .
Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
Always obey speed limits. In some areas, the spee d li mits for vehicles towing trailers are
lower than for vehicles without trailers. Never drive faster than 50 mph - 80 km/h (under
exceptional circumstances 60 mph - 100 km/h) when towing a trailer. This applies even if the
local speed limit is higher.
If you are driving a new vehicle or a vehicle with a new or reb ui lt engine, do not tow a trailer
.
during the break-in period , about 600 miles (1,000 km) .
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need maintena nce mo re oft e n be ca use of the ex tr a load it
.
has to move.
When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch ball. This helps ke ep the traile r hitch from
.
causing damage to your vehicle and to others if your vehicle is hit from behind.
Some models need a trailer hitch to tow or tow-start other vehicles. You may want to always
.
CARry the ball mount in the vehicle after it has been removed. Be sure to stow it securely.
Technical requirements
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
Use only a weight-carrying trailer hitch designed and approved for the gross weight of the trailer you
want to tow. The trailer hitch must be suitable for your vehicle and trailer and must be securely bolted
to the appropriate place on the vehicle chassis. Use only a trailer hitch with a removable ball mount.
Always check with the trailer hitch manufacturer to make s ur e that you a re usin g t he co rre ct trailer
hitch and CARefully follow the hitch manufacturer's inst ructions. N ever in st al l a “weight di stributin g” or
“load equalizing” trailer hitch on your vehicle. The ve hi cle is n ot de signed for this kind of trailer hitch
.
⇒
Your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility has the genuine
Volkswagen hitch receiver, ball mount and electrical kit that has been specifically approved for your
vehicle.
Do not use a bumper-mounted trailer hitch
Never install a trailer hitch on the bumper or on the bumper attachments. The trailer hitch must not
interfere with the impact-absorbing bumper system. Do not make any changes to the vehicle exhaust
and brake systems. From time to time, check that all trailer hitch mou nt i ng bolt s a re sec u r ely faste n ed.
When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch. This helps ke ep th e trailer hitch from causing
damage if your vehicle is hit from behind.
Engine cooling system
Towing a trailer makes the engine and its cooling system work harder. It is important that the engine
cooling system is up to the job. Make sure that the cooling system has enou gh coolant.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer has its own brakes, make sure it meets all regulations. The trailer brake system must
never be directly connected to the vehicle's brake system.
Safety chains
Always use safety chains between your vehicle and the trailer.
Trailer taillights
Trailer lights must meet all regulations.
Never connect the trailer lights directly to the electrical system of your vehicle. Be sure to check with
your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility about correct wiring,
switches and relays.
Never connect the trailer lights directly to the electrical system of your vehicle.
Outside mirrors
If you cannot see the traffic behind you using the regular outside mirrors, then you must install
extended mirrors. Extended mirrors may also be req uired by law in some countries/states/ provin ces.
Always adjust the outside mirrors before driving. It's vital that you alw ays have a cl ear view to the rear
of the vehicle.
Maximum power consumption for the trailer
Do not exceed the power ratings listed in the chart below.
Electrical load Maximum power
Taillights total 100 watts
Turn signals per side 54 watts
Side marker lights total 108 watts
Electrical load Maximum power
Taillights total 54 watts
WARNING
.
An improperly installed or incorrect trailer hitch can cause a trailer to separate from the
tow vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.
If you don't have to tow a trailer any more, remove the entire trailer hitch. Always seal all
bolt holes to prevent water and deadly exhaust fumes from getting into the vehicle.
NOTICE
.
If the trailer lights are not connected properly, the vehicle's el ec tronics may be damaged.
If the trailer uses too much electricity, the vehicle's ele ctron i cs may be damaged.
Never connect the electrical system for the trailer directly to the electrical connections for
the rear lights or to any other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitabl e connector to
provide power to the trailer.
If you tow a trailer frequently, Volkswage n recomm e nd s having the vehicle serviced between
.
the regular maintenance and inspection intervals because of the extra load it has to pull.
In some countries an additional fire extinguish er must be CARried if the total weight of the trailer
.
exceeds 5,512 lbs. (2,500 kg).
Hitching up and connecting a trailer
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
Safety chains
Always make sure that the safety chains are prope rly att ache d to the to wing vehicle. Leave enough
slack in the chains so that you can go around corners wi thout stretching the chains. The safety chains
must not drag on the ground, however.
Trailer electrical socket
The vehicle is equipped with a setup for connecting a trailer socket. The electrical connection between
the towing vehicle and the trailer is a conventional 7 pin trailer socket.
Trailer taillights
Make sure that the trailer lights work properly and meet legal requirem e nts. Do n ot exce e d the
maximum power consumption for the trailer.
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