Get Driving and parking -> Trailer hitch Guide for Mercedes GLA SUV Second Generation (2020-2026)

The picture is illustrative and shown without a

trailer.

You can select various manoeuvres in the Trailer

Manoeuvering Assist menu. The manoeuvres

available depend on the trailer's current articula-

tion angle and length.

To adjust the articulation angle: select 4. To

change the articulation angle, swipe to the le

or right in the central display in the entire area

of the camera image.

To activate the straightening manoeuvre:

select 2.

The system calculates the articulation angle in

such a way that the direction of the trailer at

the time of activation is maintained. There is a

short countersteering movement of the trailer

while the vehicle is reversed, guiding it back to

the desired line. In this way, the vehicle is

aligned straight with the trailer, and, at the

same time, the trailer's direction is main-

tained.

To activate the 90° manoeuvre:

Align the vehicle in the same direction

(line) as the trailer.

Select (le or right)

The system calculates the articulation angle

so that a trailer can be manoeuvred into a

driveway at the smallest possible angle when

it is perpendicular to its own vehicle. Aer

turning, the vehicle is aligned again in the trail-

er's direction.

Accelerate and brake as required.

The maximum articulation angle depends on

the length of the trailer. The system calculates

this by driving the vehicle forwards, including

cornering. Before the trailer length has been

calculated, the maximum articulation angle is

approximately 23°. The longer the trailer is,

the higher the maximum articulation angle

(max. approximately 60°).

Be aware of all surroundings and always

remain ready to brake.

Trailer hitch

Notes on trailer operation

NOTE The operating permit may be invali-

dated due to the illegal installation of

trailer hitches

The installation – including retrotting – of a

non-folding or non-removable trailer hitch that

even partially conceals the license plate or the

lighting system is prohibited.

Observe the applicable legal regulations

for the installation of trailer hitches.

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WARNING Risk of accident due to car/

trailer combination swerving

If you drive too fast in trailer operation, the

car/trailer combination may start to swerve.

This could cause you to lose control of the

car/trailer combination. The car/trailer com-

bination may even overturn.

Under no circumstances should you try

to straighten the car/trailer combination

by increasing your speed.

Reduce the speed and do not counter-

steer.

Brake if necessary.

NOTE Damage to the engine due to over-

heating

If you have a trailer hitch retrotted,

modications to the engine cooling sys-

tem may be necessary depending on the

vehicle type.

If you have a trailer tow hitch retrotted,

observe the fastening points on the vehicle

frame.

Retrotting a trailer hitch is permissible only if a

trailer load is specied in your vehicle documents.

If this is not the case, the vehicle is not approved

for trailer operation.

Further information can be obtained at a qualied

specialist workshop.

Observe the following notes on the tongue weight:

do not use a tongue weight that exceeds or

falls below the permissible tongue weight

use a tongue weight as close as possible to

the maximum tongue weight

Do not exceed the following values:

Permissible trailer load

Permissible rear axle load of the towing vehi-

cle

Permissible gross mass of the towing vehicle

Permissible gross mass of the trailer

Maximum permissible speed of the trailer

Ensure the following before starting a journey:

the tyre pressure on the rear axle of the tow-

ing vehicle is set for a maximum load

the lighting of the connected trailer is opera-

tional

vehicles without LED headlamps or MULTI-

BEAM LED headlamps: the headlamps have

been set correctly

In the event of increased rear axle load, the car/

trailer combination may not exceed a maximum

speed of 100 km/h for reasons concerning the

operating permit. This also applies in countries in

which the permissible maximum speed for car/

trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.

When you are reversing with a trailer, remem-

ber to use the Trailer Manoeuvring Assist

function (/ page 392).

Driving and parking

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Folding the ball neck out and in

WARNING Risk of accident due to the ball

neck not being engaged

If the ball neck is not engaged, the trailer may

come loose.

Always engage the ball neck as descri-

bed.

WARNING Risk of injury from ball neck

swinging outwards

The ball neck may swing outwards when

unlocking or when it has not been properly

engaged.

There is a risk of injury within the ball neck's

range of movement!

Unlock the ball neck only when its range

of movement is unobstructed.

Always be sure the ball neck is engaged

when folding inwards.

NOTE Increased risk of damage to prop-

erty due to folded-out ball neck

When the trailer is not coupled or the

bicycle rack is attached, fold in the ball

neck or, in the case of a fully electric

trailer hitch, retract the ball neck.

NOTE Damage to the vehicle due to incor-

rect use of the trailer hitch

If a trailer hitch is used to recover the vehicle,

the vehicle or the trailer hitch itself may be

damaged in the process.

Use the trailer hitch only for pulling a

trailer or attaching approved carrier sys-

tems (e.g. a bicycle rack).

Exception: Since vehicles with a trailer

hitch do not have a xture for a towing

eye at the rear, towing or tow-starting is

permitted.

When towing or tow-starting with the

trailer hitch, observe the information in

the section "Fitting and removing the

towing eye."

Folding the ball neck out

Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

Keep the swivel range clear.

Remove the trailer cable or adapter plug.

Pull switch 2 until the ball neck unlocks.

The ball neck will fold out from under the rear

bumper.

Indicator lamp

1 will ash.

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Pull the ball neck in the direction of the arrow

until it engages audibly in a vertical position.

Indicator lamp

1 on the ball neck release

switch will go out.

If the ball neck is not securely locked in place,

a message reading

Trailer coupling Check

lock

will appear on the driver's display.

Remove the cover cap from the ball head and

store it in a safe place.

Make sure that the ball on the ball neck is clean.

Check that it is either greased or dry (grease-

free), depending on the instructions for the trailer.

Folding the ball neck in

Pull switch 2 until the ball neck unlocks.

The ball neck will fold up under the rear

bumper.

Indicator lamp

1 will ash.

Push the ball neck in the direction of the

arrow until it engages audibly behind the

bumper.

Indicator lamp

1 will go out and the message

on the driver's display will disappear.

Observe the information about indicators on the

driver's display:

Indicator and warning lamps (/ page 861)

Driving and parking

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F247 0074 02

Display messages (/ page 777)

Coupling up/uncoupling a trailer

The trailer will be correctly detected by the vehi-

cle only if the following conditions are met:

The ball neck is extended and engaged in a

securely locked position.

Trailers with a 7-pin plug can be connected to the

vehicle with the following adapters:

adapter plug

adapter cable

The trailer will be correctly detected by the vehi-

cle only if the following conditions are met:

the trailer is connected correctly

the trailer lighting system is in working order

A correctly connected trailer inuences, among

other things, the functions of the following sys-

tems:

ESP

trailer stabilisation

Trailer Manoeuvring Assist

Active Lane Keeping Assist

Parking Assist PARKTRONIC

Active Parking Assist

Blind Spot Assist

Drive Away Assist

Cross Trac Alert

Manoeuvring brake function

Reversing camera

360° Camera

Coupling up a trailer

NOTE Damage to the starter battery due

to full discharge

Charging the trailer battery using the power

supply of the trailer can damage the starter

battery.

Do not use the vehicle's power supply to

charge the trailer battery.

Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

Remove the cover cap from the ball head and

store it in a safe place.

Position the trailer on a level surface behind

the vehicle and couple it up to the vehicle.

Open the socket cap.

Insert the plug with lug 1 in groove 3 on

the socket.

Turn bayonet coupling 2 to the right as far as

it will go.

Let the cap engage.

Secure the cable to the trailer with cable ties

(only if you are using an adapter cable).

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Make sure that the cable is always slack for

ease of movement during cornering.

In the following circumstances, a message may

appear on the driver's display even if the trailer

has been connected correctly:

LEDs have been installed in the trailer lighting

system.

The current has fallen below the trailer lighting

system's minimum current (50 mA).

Accessories can be connected to the perma-

nent power supply up to 180 W and to the

power supply that is switched on via the igni-

tion lock.

Uncoupling a trailer

WARNING Risk of being crushed and

becoming trapped when uncoupling a

trailer

When uncoupling a trailer with an engaged

inertia-activated brake, your hand may

become trapped between the vehicle and the

trailer drawbar.

Do not uncouple trailers with an engaged

overrun brake.

NOTE Damage during uncoupling with an

engaged overrun brake

The vehicle may be damaged if you uncouple

with an engaged overrun brake.

Do not uncouple trailers with an engaged

overrun brake.

Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

Disconnect the electrical connection between

the vehicle and the trailer.

Uncouple the trailer.

Place the cover on the ball head.

Trailers with LED lighting: aer uncoupling the

trailer, switch the vehicle on and then o

again.

Selecting a trailer type

Multimedia system:

Settings

Vehicle

Driving

Trailer type

Making settings for a trailer

The settings in this menu enable the calculation of

a route suitable for the selected trailer and opti-

mise the calculated arrival time.

Select the desired trailer type.

Select the maximum permissible speed of the

selected trailer.

To save changes: select Confirm.

When contact with the trailer socket is estab-

lished (trailer/rear bicycle rack), a menu auto-

matically appears on the display.

The following options are available:

Bicycle rack

Small trailer

Large trailer

Driving and parking

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Driving and parking -> Trailer hitch for Your Mercedes GLA SUV Second Generation (2020-2026)

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