2015 Volkswagen GTI Owners Manual - Trailer towing

Trailer towing

 Introduction to the subject

In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:

Obey country-specific requirements about trailer towing and trailer hitches.

Volkswagen does not recommend installing a trailer hitch on your vehicle. Your Volkswagen was mainly designed for carrying passengers. If you plan to tow a trailer, please remember your vehicle will be performing a job for which it was not primarily intended. The additional load will affect durability, handling, fuel economy, and performance, and may require the vehicle to be serviced more often.

Trailer towing not only places more stress on the vehicle, it calls for more concentration from the driver. Always follow the operating and driving instructions given, and use common sense.

Under winter conditions, install winter tires on the vehicle and the trailer.

More information:

• Power locking system  

• Anti-theft alarm system  

• Lights and vision  

• Tires and wheels  

• Braking and parking  

• Saving fuel and helping the environment  

• Starting assistance systems  

• Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications  

WARNING

Riding in a trailer is dangerous and may be illegal.

WARNING

Improper use of the trailer hitch can cause accidents and injuries. An improperly installed, incorrect, or damaged trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the towing vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.

• Only use an undamaged, properly mounted trailer hitch.

• Never repair or modify the trailer hitch.

• To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball mount when you are not towing a trailer.

• Never install a weight distributing or load equalizing trailer hitch on your vehicle. The vehicle was not designed for these kinds of trailer hitches. The trailer hitch attachment can fail, causing the trailer to tear loose from the vehicle.

WARNING

Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.

• Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or large things can change the way the vehicle handles, increase the distance it needs to stop safely, and cause accidents.

• Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will not shift.

• Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.

• Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.

• Trailers with a high center of gravity tip more easily than trailers with a low center of gravity.

• Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.

• Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.

• Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest sign of swaying.

• Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.

• Always obey speed limits. In some areas, the speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers. Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h; under exceptional circumstances, 60 mph - 100 km/h) when towing a trailer. This applies even if the local speed limit is higher.

If you are driving a new vehicle or a vehicle with a new or rebuilt engine, do not tow a trailer during the break-in period, about 600 miles (1000 km)  .

If you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need maintenance more often because of the extra load it has to move.

When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch ball. This helps keep the trailer hitch from causing damage to your vehicle and to others if your vehicle is hit from behind.

Some models need a trailer hitch to tow or tow-start other vehicles. You may want to always carry the ball mount in the vehicle after it has been removed. Be sure to stow it securely.

Technical requirements

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

Use only a weight-carrying trailer hitch designed and approved for the gross weight of the trailer you want to tow. The trailer hitch must be suitable for your vehicle and trailer and must be securely bolted to the appropriate place on the vehicle chassis. Use only a trailer hitch with a removable ball mount. Always check with the trailer hitch manufacturer to make sure that you are using the correct trailer hitch and carefully follow the hitch manufacturer's instructions. Never install a weight-distributing or load-equalizing trailer hitch on your vehicle. The vehicle is not designed for this kind of trailer hitch  .

Do not use a bumper-mounted trailer hitch

Never install a trailer hitch on the bumper or on the bumper attachments. The trailer hitch must not interfere with the impact-absorbing bumper system. Do not make any changes to the vehicle exhaust and brake systems. From time to time, check that all trailer hitch mounting bolts are securely fastened. When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch. This helps keep the trailer hitch from causing damage if your vehicle is hit from behind.

Engine cooling system

Towing a trailer makes the engine and its cooling system work harder. It is important that the engine cooling system is up to the job. Make sure that the cooling system has enough coolant.

Trailer brakes

If your trailer has its own brakes, make sure it meets all regulations. The trailer brake system must never be directly connected to the vehicle's brake system.

Safety chains

Always use safety chains between your vehicle and the trailer  .

Trailer taillights

Trailer lights must meet all regulations  .

Never connect the trailer lights directly to the electrical system of your vehicle.

Outside mirrors

If you cannot see the traffic behind you using the regular outside mirrors, then you must install extended mirrors. Extended mirrors may also be required by law in some countries/states/provinces. Always adjust the outside mirrors before driving. It's vital that you always have a clear view to the rear of the vehicle.

Maximum power consumption for the trailer

Do not exceed the power ratings listed in the chart below.

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.

NOTE

• 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

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

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  .

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.

NOTE

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

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

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   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  .

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  .

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.

WARNING

Trailer loads that are not properly secured can shift when the vehicle is moving or braking and suddenly change the way the vehicle handles, causing accidents and severe injuries.

• Always load the trailer properly.

• Always secure the load properly with suitable, undamaged straps that can be tightened so that the load cannot shift.

Driving with a trailer

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

Headlight settings

Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the low beams to blind other road users. If your vehicle does not have headlight range adjustment, have the headlights adjusted by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Vehicles with Xenon headlights self-adjust to vehicle load and do not need manual adjustment.

Special towing considerations

• If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the brakes gently at first and then firmly. This helps to prevent sudden brake shock and helps prevent trailer wheels from locking up.

• Due to the combined towing weight including the higher gross vehicle weight, the stopping distance is longer.

• Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, shift into a lower gear (manual or automatic transmission) so that the engine helps to brake the vehicle. Otherwise, the brake system could overheat and might fail.

• The vehicle's center of gravity and, in turn, the vehicle's handling, will change because of the trailer load and the increased combined towing weight of the vehicle and trailer.

• Weight distribution is especially bad if the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer is loaded. If you absolutely must drive with this combination, drive with extra care and at a reduced speed.

Starting off with a trailer on hills

Depending on how steep the hill is and the combined towing weight, a parked vehicle with trailer can roll backwards when you first start moving.

When starting off with a trailer on a hill:

• Depress and hold the brake pedal (and depress and hold the clutch - manual transmission).

• Shift into first gear or Drive (D) .

• Unlock the parking brake and gently release it while holding the unlock button. At the same time, release the brake pedal and gradually depress the accelerator and, for a manual transmission, let out the clutch until you can feel the car moving forward. If applicable, follow the instructions for the Hill Hold feature  .

• Do not release the parking brake lever until the engine starts to move the vehicle forward. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, you can also depress and hold the brake pedal for added braking and then let up on the brake pedal when you feel that the vehicle wants to move forward.

• Drive ahead slowly.

WARNING

Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.

• Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or bulky items changes the way the vehicle handles and increases the distance it needs to stop safely.

• Always watch what is happening up ahead and around you. Brake earlier than you would if you were not towing a trailer.

• Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.

• Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.

• Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.

• Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.

• Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of swaying.

• Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.

• Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers.

Ball mount

Fig. 98 Dimensions of the ball mount support.

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

Your vehicle is not equipped with a trailer hitch or preparations for the installation of a trailer hitch. If you must tow a trailer, you must have the necessary electrical wiring and socket together with a suitable trailer hitch installed. Because towing a trailer places a great deal of stress on the vehicle, the attachment of a trailer to the vehicle and the dimensions of the receiver and ball mount are very important so that the extra forces the vehicle has to withstand can be properly handled.

The receiver used requires both a ball mount and a ball that meet special requirements regarding geometry and size. This applies to both the height of the ball above the surface where it attaches  , and the pin-to-ball distance  .

These dimensions are important because they help determine the way that the forces that arise during towing are applied to the receiver and its attachments to the vehicle. If you buy a ball mount and ball, make sure that they meet the following specifications.

Ball mount dimensions

• The drop height Ⓐ from the center of the ball to the center of the hole for the securing pin on the ball mount must be at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) and at most 2⁷/₈ inches (73 mm).

• The pin-to-ball distance Ⓑ from the center of the ball to the center of the hole for the securing pin on the ball mount must be no more than 7 inches (178 mm).

• The ball diameter must be no more than 1¹/₄ inches (32 mm).

A ball mount and ball combination that does not meet these specifications can damage your vehicle and may even fail in use  .

Never install a weight distributing or load equalizing trailer hitch on your vehicle. The vehicle is not designed for this kind of trailer hitch  .

WARNING

An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the towing vehicle and result in a major accident with serious personal injuries.

• Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch done by a qualified workshop.

CAUTION

The ball mount sticks out behind the rear bumper and can cause injury to pedestrians and cyclists.

• To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball carrier when you are not towing a trailer.

NOTE

• Never use a ball larger than 1¹/₄ inches (32 mm) on your vehicle. The vehicle was not designed to tow heavier trailers with a receiver larger than the specified ball. The increased loads can damage the attachment points for the trailer hitch.

• Never use an adapter to increase the size of the trailer hitch receiver from 1¹/₄ inches (32 mm) to 2 inches (50.8 mm) or more to tow a trailer that is heavier than the maximum permissible trailer weight that your vehicle can tow.

• You can use an adapter if required for the proper installation of a bicycle rack or other similar carrier as long as the maximum weight limits are observed. When using bicycle racks or similar carriers, make sure that the rear lights are not blocked.

• Only use trailer hitches that are approved by the hitch manufacturer for your vehicle and model.

Retrofitting a trailer hitch

Fig. 99 Dimensions and attachment points for retrofitting a trailer hitch.

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

Volkswagen recommends having the trailer hitch retrofit performed by a qualified workshop because cooling system modifications or the installation of heat shields may be necessary. Volkswagen recommends that you see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility before having a trailer hitch installed on your vehicle.

When retrofitting a trailer hitch, the specified distance dimensions must be strictly adhered to. Under no circumstances may the distance from the center of the hitch ball to the surface of the road   be less than the specified minimum. This minimum height must be present even when the vehicle is fully loaded and subject to the maximum tongue weight.

Distance dimensions :

1. Attachment points.
2. 33 inches (838 mm)
3. 20.2 inches (513 mm)
4. 11.5 inches (293 mm)
5. at least 2.6 inches (65 mm)
6. 13.8 – 16.5 inches (350 – 420 mm)
7. 41.1 inches (1043 mm)
8. 41.3 inches (1048 mm)

WARNING

Improper or incorrect connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions that affect the entire vehicle electrical system and cause accidents and serious personal injury.

• Never connect the electrical system of the trailer directly to the electrical connections of the rear lights or other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide power to the trailer.

• Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch done by a qualified workshop.

WARNING

An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the towing vehicle and result in a major accident with serious personal injuries.

Maximum permissible trailer weight

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the Gross Axle Weight Rating must not be exceeded, even with a trailer. These ratings are listed on the safety compliance label on the driver front door jamb  . When a trailer is towed, the weight of the ball mount and the tongue weight of the trailer are added to the vehicle weight  .

The trailer weight ratings given above are valid only up to altitudes of 3000 ft (1000 m) above sea level. The maximum permissible combined towing weight must be reduced by about 10% for every 3000 ft (1000 m), or portion thereof, of additional altitude.

WARNING

Exceeding the gross trailer weight rating and tongue weight can cause accidents and serious personal injury.

• Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Never let the combined front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

NOTE

Exceeding the gross weight ratings can cause extensive vehicle damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.

^a) Information not available at time of printing.