Volkswagen Polo Owners Manual: Loading the trailer
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Trailer weight and drawbar load
The 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 vertically from above .
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.
In the interest of road safety, Volkswagen recommends that you always transport 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 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 wheels on the towing vehicle with the maximum permitted tyre pressure .
WARNING
- 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
- Always load trailers correctly.
- Always secure loads using suitable and undamaged securing straps.
Hitching and connecting the trailer
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Emergency breakaway cable
Always fasten the trailer's emergency breakaway cable properly to the towing
vehicle. Leave eno ...
Towing a trailer
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the dipped
beam to blind other ro ...
Other materials:
Front airbags
Fig. 56 Location and deployment zone of
the driver front airbag
Fig. 57 Location and deployment zone of
the front passenger front airbag
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front occu ...
Handling wheels and tyres
Fig. 145 Diagram showing how to swap wheels
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warningsThe tyres are the most used and most underestimated parts
of a vehicle. Tyres are very important as the narrow tyre surfaces are the only
contact between the vehicle and the ro ...
Switching the TCS on and off
Fig. 116 In the centre console: button
for switching the TCS on and off manually
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings The electronic stability control (ESC) only
functions when the engine is running. It consists of ABS, EDL and TCS.
When the engine is r ...
