Operation Manual

Driving and o peration 165
Coup ling socket l oa d
The coupling socket load is the load
exerted by the caravan / trailer on the
coupling ball. It can be varied by changing
the w eight distribution when loading the
caravan / trailer.
The ma ximum permissible coup ling socket
load for the towing vehicle (80 kg) is stated
on the towing equipment id entific ation
plate and should always be aimed for,
particularly in the ca se of heavy caravans /
trailers. The coup ling socket load should
never be below 25 kg.
When measuring the coupling socket load,
make sure that the drawbar of the loaded
caravan / trailer is at the sa me height as it
will be when the caravan / trailer is coupled
with the towing vehicle loa ded. This is
particularly important for caravans /
trailers with tandem axle.
Rear axle load duri ng towing
When the carav an / trailer is coup led a nd
the towing vehic le fully loaded (including
all occupants), the permissible rear axle
load must not be exceeded.
National regulations regarding m aximum
speeds for vehicles towing a caravan /
tra iler must be observed.
Tyre p ressure
Increase the tyre pressure on the towing
vehicle to the value specified for full load
(see page 219). Also check the pressure of
the caravan / trailer tyres.