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

4. Release the brake pedal.

5. Start driving slowly.

6. Only release the

switch once the engine has created enough drive power to start driving.

WARNING

Towing a trailer incorrectly can result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause serious injuries.

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

Ensure sufﬁcient visibility behind you. Attach additional rearview mirrors if rear visibility is impaired due to the trailer. Volkswagen recommends the use of

Volkswagen original parts or Volkswagen original accessories, which you can acquire from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility.

Always drive carefully and try to anticipate what may be ahead. Brake earlier than usual.

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

downhill.

Accelerate with extra care and caution. Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking maneuvers.

Take particular care when overtaking. Reduce vehicle speed as soon as you detect the slightest swaying movement in the trailer.

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

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.

Trailer stabilization

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

and

Introduction.

If a trailer is hitched to the vehicle and it begins to sway, the trailer stabilization can detected this and countersteer.

Trailer stabilization is an additional feature of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

If the system detects that the trailer is swaying, the trailer stabilization will automatically countersteer to the reduce “vibration” of the trailer.

Trailer stabilization requirements

The trailer hitch must be installed at the factory or a compatible trailer hitch must be retroﬁtted.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) must be active. The

indicator light in the instrument cluster must not be on.

The trailer must be connected to the electrical system in the towing vehicle using the trailer socket.

The driving speed must be less than 37 mph (60 km/h).

The maximum tongue weight must be used.

The trailer must have a ﬁxed drawbar.

Braked trailers must have a mechanical overrun protection device.

WARNING

Do not allow the increased convenience provided by the trailer stabilization to tempt you into taking risks.

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

Accelerate carefully on slippery roads.

Take your foot off the accelerator pedal when a system is actively regulating.

WARNING

The trailer stabilization may not be able to detect all driving situations correctly.

The trailer stabilization switches off when ESC is deactivated.

Trailer stabilization may not always detect if a light trailer is swaying and stabilize it.

When driving on slippery roads with poor traction, the trailer can still jackknife despite the trailer stabilization.

Trailers with a high center of gravity can tip before you notice any swaying back and forth.

If there is no trailer hitched to the vehicle but there is a connector in the trailer socket, for example from a bike carrier with lights, sudden braking

maneuvers may occur automatically in extreme driving situations.

Trailer hitch

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Ball mount holder

Fig. 167 Dimensions of the ball mount holder and receptacle.

Suspended height of the ball mount.

Distance between socket pin and ball mount.

To pull a trailer you must have installed the necessary cabling, including a socket, and the corresponding trailer hitch. Since pulling a trailer represents a heavy stra

for the vehicle towing it, connecting the trailer to the towing vehicle and correct dimensions for the receptacle and the ball mount holder are extremely important in

order for the towing vehicle to cope with the strain to be placed on it.

The mount requires a special shape and size of ball mount holder and ball mount. This affects both the suspended height of the ball coupling ﬁg. 167

distance between the socket pin and the ball coupling ﬁg. 167

and the

These dimensions determine the distribution of strain on the receptacle and the connections to the vehicle during towing. When purchasing a ball mount holder and

a ball mount, always ensure that these will cope with the requirements.

Dimensions of the ball mount holder

The suspended height ﬁg. 167

from the top of the ball mount to the top of the neck must not exceed 50.8 mm (2 inches).

The distance between the socket pin and the ball mount ﬁg. 167

must not exceed 209.55 mm (8 1/4 inches) from the middle of the ball mount to the midd

of the eye of the pin.

The diameter of the ball mount may not exceed 50.8 mm (2 inches).

Ball mounts and holders which do not meet these speciﬁcations could damage your car or could fail completely

⇒

Securing cables

In some countries, unbraked and braked trailers must be secured by means of securing or breakaway cables.

Follow the country-speciﬁc regulations for using a securing cable.

1. Secure the securing or breakaway cable to the provided ball mount eyelet.

2. Guide the cable through the eyelet and hook it in the karabiner

⇒

WARNING

Incorrect mounting or the use of an incorrect trailer hitch can lead to the trailer becoming detached from the towing vehicle during the journey, potentially

causing serious accidents and injuries.

Only have work on your trailer hitch or the retroﬁtting of a trailer hitch carried out by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen service

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

WARNING

An improperly secured trailer can cause accidents and injuries.

Never drape the securing or breakaway cable of the trailer loosely over the ball mount.

CAUTION

Always remove the ball mount holder when you do not require it, in order to reduce the risk of injuries in a rear-end collision.

275

NOTICE

Fitting an unsuitable ball mount can cause vehicle damage and invalidation of the operating license.

Use the ball mount supplied by the factory or a ball mount approved for your vehicle model and its model year.

Volkswagen recommends the use of Volkswagen original parts or Volkswagen original accessories, which you can acquire from an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

NOTICE

Your vehicle was not designed to tow trailers requiring larger ball heads than those speciﬁed. Never use ball mounts with a diameter that exceeds

50.8 mm (2 inches).

Never use an adapter in order to use a larger ball mount.

If necessary, you may use an adapter to enable you to mount a bicycle carrier or similar. Always observe the weight speciﬁcations when doing so. These

should never cover your tail lights.

Retroﬁtting a trailer hitch

Volkswagen recommends having a trailer hitch retroﬁtted by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. For example,

modiﬁcations to the cooling system or installation of heat shields may be necessary. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Mount the trailer hitch in accordance with the instructions supplied.

A retroﬁtted, non-removable trailer hitch must not cover the label or the lighting system on the rear of the vehicle. Note the country-speciﬁc regulations for using a b

mount ⇒

WARNING

Improperly or incorrectly connected electrical wires can lead to malfunctions in the entire vehicle electrical system as well as accidents and serious injuries.

Never connect the electrical system on a trailer directly to the electrical connectors for the taillights or other unsuitable power sources. Only use suitable

connectors to connect the trailer.

If retroﬁtting the vehicle with a trailer hitch, have the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

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

WARNING

A trailer hitch that is installed incorrectly or that is not suitable for the vehicle can lead to the trailer separating from the vehicle that is towing it. This can cause

accidents and fatal injuries.

Only use trailer hitches that are provided for the vehicle model, model year and vehicle equipment by the corresponding manufacturer. Volkswagen

recommends the use of Volkswagen original parts or Volkswagen original accessories, which you can acquire from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Roof rack

Introduction

Depending on the model, the vehicle may be designed to have a roof rack installed.

Bulky objects can be transported on the vehicle roof using the roof rack.

If you are not sure if your vehicle is designed to have a roof rack installed, check with an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

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

Only use roof racks that are approved by Volkswagen for use with your vehicle.

Do not use or retroﬁt a roof rack if this is not approved for your vehicle.

WARNING

When transporting heavy or large objects on the roof rack, your vehicle's driving characteristics could change because of the different center of gravity or

increased wind resistance.

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

Large, heavy, long, or ﬂat objects can have a negative effect on the vehicle’s aerodynamics, center of gravity, and handling.

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

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