Trailer towing -> Loading the trailer for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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.  
The maximum permissible trailer weight and tongue weight for your  
vehicle are listed on 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 al-  
ways 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, re-  
duces 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 recommenda-  
tions for the trailer tires.  
When towing, inflate the towing vehicle's tires to the maximum per-  
missible pressure listed on the tire pressure label Tire inflation  
pressure.  
WARNING  
Exceeding the gross weight ratings for axle, tongue, vehicle,  
trailer or combined weight can cause accidents and serious  
personal injury.  
Never exceed the specified values.  
Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed  
the Gross Axle Weight Rating. Never let the combined front and  
rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.