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Trailer towing -> Hitching up and connecting a trailer for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

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 electronics may be damaged.  
If the trailer uses too much electricity, the vehicle's electronics 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 suitable connector to  
provide power to the trailer.  
If you tow a trailer frequently, Volkswagen recommends having the vehicle serviced between the  
regular maintenance and inspection intervals because of the extra load it has to pull.  
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 properly attached to the towing vehicle. Leave enough  
slack in the chains so that you can go around corners without stretching the chains. The safety chains  
must not drag on the ground, however.  
Trailer taillights  
Make sure that the trailer lights work properly and meet legal requirements. Do not exceed the  
maximum power consumption for the trailer, Maximum power consumption for the trailer.  
WARNING  
Improper connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions that affect the  
entire vehicle electrical system, which can lead to accidents and serious personal injury.  
Have any work on the electrical system done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
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 suitable connector to  
provide power to the trailer.  
NOTICE  
Never attach a trailer to the vehicle or leave it attached to the vehicle when the trailer is  
supported by a trailer jack or blocks. Various things (such as a change in trailer or vehicle load  
or a flat tire) can lower or raise the vehicle. This subjects the trailer hitch and the trailer to  
strong forces that can damage the vehicle or the trailer.  
If the engine is switched off and accessories in the trailer are on and use electricity from the  
vehicle, the vehicle battery will be drained as long as the electrical systems of the vehicle and the  
trailer are connected.  
Loading the trailer  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
Maximum permissible trailer weight and tongue weight  
Maximum permissible trailer weight is the load that the vehicle can tow ⇒ꢀ . The tongue load or  
tongue weight is the load pressing down on the trailer hitch ball mount, Ball mount.  
The maximum permissible trailer weight and tongue weight for your vehicle are listed on, Maximum  
permissible trailer weight, Maximum permissible trailer weight in this Manual.  
The trailer load and tongue weight on the type identification plate for the trailer hitch are only test  
values. The vehicle-specific figures are often lower than these values. In some countries, but generally  
not in the United States, the vehicle-specific figures are listed in the official vehicle documents.  
Specifications in official vehicle documents always take precedence.  
To help ensure optimum handling and driving safety, Volkswagen recommends always using the  
maximum permissible tongue weight. If the tongue weight is too low, the vehicle and trailer will not  
handle as well.  
Tongue weight increases the load on the rear axle and, in turn, reduces the remaining load your  
vehicle can carry, Determining the correct load limit.  
Combined towing weight  
Combined towing weight is the weight of the loaded towing vehicle plus the weight of the loaded  
trailer.  
This vehicle has not been designed to tow a Class II trailer and must never be retrofitted to tow a  
Class II trailer. Always make sure that your vehicle has been designed to tow the trailer you want to  
use and that it is legal to tow the trailer where you will be driving.  
Loading the trailer  
The weight distribution in the vehicle and trailer must be balanced. Use the maximum permissible  
tongue weight and make sure that the load in the trailer is evenly distributed and that it is not front-  
heavy or tail-heavy:  
Distribute the load in the trailer so that heavy objects are directly above the axle or as close as  
possible to the axle.  
Secure loads properly on the trailer.  
Tire pressure  
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's tire pressure recommendations for the trailer tires.  
When towing, inflate the towing vehicle's tires to the maximum permissible pressure listed on the tire  
pressure label, Tires and wheels.