Get Trailer towing -> Notes on towing a trailer Guide for Volkswagen Caddy SUV Fifth Generation (2020-2025)

position.

—Turn the handwheel→ Fig. 1

—Hold the handwheel → Fig. 1

as far as it will go in the direction of the arrow

in this position and guide the ball coupling neck

downwards out of the

mount. The ball coupling neck engages and is pre-tensioned.

—Insert the sealing plug into the mount for the ball coupling neck.

Slackening the ball coupling neck

The ball coupling neck must be slackened before being returned to the storage box.

—Hold the ball coupling neck in one hand.

—Use your other hand to turn the handwheel→ Fig. 1

as far as it will go in the direction of the arrow

—Press in the ball → Fig. 1

—Turn the handwheel back→ Fig. 1

anti-clockwise.

—Release the ball → Fig. 1

. The handwheel no longer protrudes from the ball coupling neck. The ball coupling

neck is now slack.

—Turn the key → Fig. 1

clockwise and remove. Store the key in the stowage box.

—Close the lock cap→ Fig. 1

—Place the slackened ball coupling neck in the stowage box. Secure the stowage box under the right-hand front

seat.

WARNING

The removable ball coupling neck is heavy. The ball coupling neck could fall and cause injuries while it is being

removed.

● Only unlock the ball coupling neck once the trailer has been unhitched.

NOTICE

The removable ball coupling neck is required for towing. Make sure you always carry the ball coupling in the vehicle.

Notes on towing a trailer

Trailer socket

A 13-pin trailer socket makes the electrical connection between the towing vehicle and the trailer. The pin

assignment corresponds with DIN ISO 11446.

If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to use a suitable adapter.

Please contact a qualified workshop if you are uncertain whether the electrical connection between the trailer and

the vehicle is correct. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

dealership for this purpose.

Emergency breakaway cable

Always fasten the trailer's emergency breakaway cable properly to the towing vehicle. Leave enough slack in the

emergency breakaway cable so that the vehicle can still drive around corners. However the emergency breakaway

cable should not drag along the ground while you are driving.

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Connection to the anti-theft alarm

The trailer is integrated in the anti-theft system if the following conditions are fulfilled:

—When the vehicle has a factory-fitted anti-theft alarm and a factory-fitted towing bracket.

—When the trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer socket.

—When the vehicle and trailer electric systems are functional, fault-free and undamaged.

—When the vehicle is locked with the vehicle key and the anti-theft alarm is active.

When the vehicle is locked, the alarm will be triggered as soon as the electrical connection to the trailer is interrupted.

Connection to the anti-theft alarm (trailer with LED tail light clusters)

For technical reasons, trailers with LED tail lights cannot be integrated into the anti-theft alarm system.

When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is not triggered as soon as the electrical connection to the trailer with LED rear

lights is interrupted.

WARNING

Any electrical cables which are not connected properly or are connected incorrectly could cause a power surge to

the trailer. This could lead to faults in the entire vehicle electronics system and could also cause accidents and

serious injuries.

● All work on the electrical system should only be carried out by a qualified workshop.

● Never connect the trailer's electrical system directly to the electrical connections of the towing vehicle's tail light

clusters or to other power sources.

WARNING

Contact between the pins in the trailer socket can lead to short circuits, overloading of the electrical system and

failure of the lighting system, thereby causing accidents and serious injuries.

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

● Have bent pins repaired by a qualified workshop.

NOTICE

If you park the trailer using the support wheel or other trailer supports, disconnect the trailer from the vehicle. The

vehicle could move up and down if the load changes or if there is damage to the tyres, for example. If this happens,

a great deal of force will be exerted on the towing bracket and trailer, which could lead to damage to the vehicle

and trailer.

If there is a fault in the vehicle or trailer electrical systems or if there is a fault in the anti-theft alarm, have the

vehicle checked by a qualified workshop.

If the engine is not running and electrical equipment is switched on in the trailer via the trailer socket, the 12-

volt vehicle battery will discharge.

If the 12-volt vehicle battery charge level is low, the electrical connection to the trailer will be interrupted

automatically.

Loading the trailer

Trailer weight and drawbar load

The maximum trailer weight is the weight that the vehicle can pull→

The drawbar load is the weight that the towing bracket exerts on the ball coupling neck vertically from above.

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The figures for trailer weights and draw bar weights that are given on the data plate of the towing bracket are for

certification purposes only. The correct values for your specific model, which may be lower than these figures, are

given in the vehicle registration documents. All data in the official vehicle documents take precedence over these

data.

The maximum permitted drawbar load exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball coupling neck of the towing bracket

must not exceed 75 kg. Refer to the official vehicle documents for the maximum possible trailer weight.

In the interest of driving safety, Volkswagen Commercial vehicles recommends that you always use the maximum

drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will be poor if the drawbar load is too small.

The drawbar load increases the weight on the rear axle and reduces the maximum load level as a result.

Gross combination weight rating

The combination weight is made up of the actual weight of the loaded towing vehicle and of the loaded trailer .

Loading the trailer

The weight of the load should be distributed evenly. The maximum permitted drawbar load should be utilised. Do not

place the load only at the front or the rear of the trailer:

—Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are either over or as near to the axle as possible.

—Secure all loads on the trailer properly.

Tyre pressure

Follow the trailer manufacturer's recommendations concerning the tyre pressure for the trailer tyres.

When towing a trailer, inflate the tyres on the towing vehicle with the maximum permitted tyre pressure (→ Tyre

pressure).

WARNING

Accidents and serious injuries can occur if you exceed the vehicle's maximum permitted gross axle weight rating,

drawbar load, gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating.

● Never exceed the specified values.

● Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the gross axle weight ratings. Never exceed the

permissible gross vehicle weight for the vehicle with weight at the front and rear of the vehicle.

WARNING

Loads that may slide can severely impair stability and driving safety, which can cause accidents and severe injuries.

● Always load trailers correctly.

● Always secure loads using suitable and undamaged securing straps.

Driving with a trailer

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.

Things to note when driving with a trailer

—If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the brakesgently at first and then firmly. This will prevent the jerking that

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Trailer towing -> Notes on towing a trailer for Your Volkswagen Caddy SUV Fifth Generation (2020-2025)

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