Get Trailer towing -> Introduction Guide for Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

1. Release the hooks and loops on the luggage net from the tie-downs and luggage net hooks.

2. Store the luggage net in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

The elastic luggage net must be stretched in order to secure it on the tie-downs or the hooks in the luggage compartment. The luggage net is under tension

when it is installed. The hooks and eyes on the luggage net could cause injuries if the luggage net is installed or removed incorrectly.

Always hold on to the hooks of the luggage net to prevent them springing out of the tie-down when hooking and unhooking them.

Protect your eyes and face to reduce the risk of injuries from the hooks springing out when securing and releasing them.

Always secure the hooks of the luggage net in the order described. There is a risk of injury if a luggage net hook springs back.

WARNING

If used improperly, the luggage net hooks could break during a braking maneuver or in the event of an accident. This could result in objects being thrown through

the vehicle interior and causing serious or fatal injuries.

Only use the luggage net hooks to secure a luggage net.

Never secure a child restraint to the luggage net hooks.

Shopping bag hooks

Fig. 166 In the luggage compartment: fold-out shopping bag hooks.

You may have shopping bag hooks in your luggage compartment for hanging light shopping bags.

WARNING

Loose objects can be thrown around the inside of the vehicleduring sudden driving or braking maneuvers. This can cause serious injuries and loss of vehicle

control.

Never use the shopping bag hooks to tie down pieces of luggage or objects. The shopping bag hooks could break during sudden braking maneuvers or in

the event of an accident.

Only hang lightweight items, up to a maximum of 2.5 kg (approximately 5.5 lbs), from the shopping bag hooks in the vehicle.

Trailer towing

Introduction

If equipped correctly, the vehicle can be used to tow a trailer. The increased weight from towing affects vehicle wear, fuel consumption, and vehicle performance

and may shorten the service intervals.

Driving a trailer not only increases the vehicle load, but requires more concentration from the driver.

Vehicles with a start/stop system

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Before trailer towing using towing brackets which have not been retroﬁtted by Volkswagen, the start/stop system must be manually deactivated and remain

deactivated during the entire trailer towing process ⇒ Start-stop system.

Trailer with function check for the lighting

No trailer with tail lights and brake lights that require a function check for the tail light or brake light in order to be approved may be operated on this vehicle. Please

consult the trailer manufacturer to ﬁnd out what approval applies to your trailer.

Unused ball mount

Swivel the ball mount or remove it if there is no trailer, bicycle rack or similar attached to the ball mount. This is especially applicable if the vehicle's license plate or

lighting is obscured by the unused ball mount. Note the country-speciﬁc regulations for using a ball mount ⇒

Special conditions

Before driving with a trailer, please note that the functions of the assistance and parking systems may be limited.

DANGER

Transporting persons in a trailer can cause life-threatening injuries and may be against the law.

Never transport anyone in a trailer.

WARNING

Using the trailer hitch incorrectly can result in loss of control of the vehicle, accidents, and serious injuries.

Install and use the trailer in accordance with the instructions provided by the corresponding manufacturer.

Only use the ball mount if it is undamaged and secured correctly.

Do not modify or repair the ball mount.

To reduce the risk of injury during a rear collision and to pedestrians and cyclists near parked vehicles, always swivel in or remove the ball mount when

you are not towing a trailer.

Never install “weight distributing” or “load equalizing” ball mounts. The vehicle was not designed for these types of trailer hitches. The trailer hitch could

malfunction and the trailer could disconnect from the vehicle.

WARNING

Driving with a trailer and transporting heavy or large objects can change the vehicle handling performance, increase the braking distance, and cause accidents.

Always secure cargo correctly with suitable and undamaged cords, ﬁxation belts or tensioning straps.

Always adapt your speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road and trafﬁc conditions. Reduce the vehicle speed, especially when driving

downhill.

Trailers with a high center of gravity may tip sooner than trailers with a low center of gravity.

Always drive carefully and try to anticipate what may be ahead. Accelerate with extra care and caution. Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking

maneuvers.

Be very careful when passing. Reduce vehicle speed as soon as you detect the slightest swaying movement in the trailer.

Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h), or 60 mph (100 km/h) if absolutely necessary, when towing a trailer. This also applies in countries where

higher speeds are permitted. Adhere to the applicable local maximum speed limit, which may be lower for vehicles towing a trailer than it is for vehicles

that are not towing a trailer.

Never try to “straighten out” a swaying trailer by accelerating.

WARNING

When towing with towing brackets which have not been retroﬁtted by Volkswagen the start/stop system must always be manually deactivated. Otherwise this

can lead to a failure in the brake system and can cause accidents and severe injury.

NOTICE

Follow all warning and information for vehicles with an N1 certiﬁcate → page , Useful information on vehicles with N1 type approval (light commercial vehicle) .

If you have integrated a trailer into the anti-theft alarm system, breaking the connection to the trailer may trigger the anti-theft alarm system ⇒ Anti-theft alar

system.

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Do not tow a trailer during the first 1000 km (600 miles) driven with a new engine ⇒ Breaking in the engine.

Some retrofitted trailer hitches cover the mount for the towing eye. If this is the case, it will not be possible to use the towing eye to tow other vehicles. Because

of this, you should always keep the ball mount from a retrofitted trailer hitch inside the vehicle when it is removed.

Hitching a trailer

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

and

Introduction.

Trailer socket

If the trailer has a 7-pin connector, a suitable adapter must be used.

1. Lift the socket cap and insert the plug.

2. Rotate the plug clockwise by a quarter of a rotation until it fully engages into the socket.

3. Release the cap to lock the plug in place.

4. Check that the entire lighting system is working properly before starting the journey.

If you are not sure how to connect the trailer with the towing vehicle’s electrical system correctly, consult an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswage

Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Safety chains

Always make sure that the safety chains are correctly secured on the vehicle. The safety chains require sufﬁcient play and can sag, but should not touch the ground

Integrating into the anti-theft alarm system

The trailer is integrated into the anti-theft alarm system if the following requirements are met:

If the vehicle is equipped with a factory-installed anti-theft alarm system and trailer hitch.

If the trailer is connected to the electrical system in the towing vehicle.

If the vehicle and trailer electrical systems are functioning correctly and are not damaged.

If the vehicle was locked using the vehicle key and the anti-theft alarm system is active.

When the vehicle is locked, the alarm will be triggered if the electrical connection to the trailer is disconnected.

Trailers with LED taillights cannot be integrated into the anti-theft alarm system due to the technology involved.

When the vehicle is locked, the alarm will not be triggered if the electrical connection to the trailer with LED taillights is disconnected.

WARNING

Improperly or incorrectly connected electrical wires can electrify the trailer and lead to malfunctions in the entire vehicle electrical system as well as accidents

and serious injuries.

Have all work on the electrical system performed only by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen

recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Never connect the electrical system on a trailer to the electrical connectors for the taillights or other power sources on the towing vehicle.

WARNING

Contact between the pins on the trailer socket can cause short circuits, overloading of he electrical system, or malfunction of the lighting system, which can

result in accidents and serious injuries.

Never connect the pins in the trailer socket to one another.

Have bent pins repaired only by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an

authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

NOTICE

A trailer that is resting on a supporting wheel or on the trailer support should not remain hitched to the vehicle. Changes to the load or tire damage may raise or

lower the vehicle. This would put great stress on the trailer hitch and the trailer, which could lead to damage to the vehicle and trailer.

If the engine is stopped and accessories on the trailer are on while there is an electrical connection through the trailer socket, then the 12 V vehicle battery will

drain.

The electrical connection to the trailer will be automatically disconnected if the charge level of the 12 V vehicle battery becomes too low.

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Trailer towing -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

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