Volkswagen Touran Owners Manual: 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 enough slack in the emergency breakaway cable so that the vehicle can still drive around corners. However the emergency breakaway cable should not drag along the ground while you are driving.

Trailer socket

A 13-pole trailer socket makes the electrical connection between the towing vehicle and the trailer. If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to use an adapter cable.

Trailer rear lights

Make sure that the trailer lights work properly and meet legal requirements. Do not exceed the maximum power consumption for the trailer   .

The trailer is connected to the anti-theft alarm:

• When the vehicle has a factory-fitted anti-theft alarm and a factory-fitted towing bracket.

• When the trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer socket.

• When the vehicle and trailer electric systems are functional, fault-free and undamaged.

• When the vehicle is locked with the vehicle key and the anti-theft alarm is active.

When the vehicle is locked, the alarm will be triggered as soon as the electrical connection to the trailer is interrupted.

Always switch off the anti-theft alarm when a trailer is being hitched or unhitched. The tilt sensor could otherwise trigger an alarm unnecessarily.

WARNING

Any electrical accessories which are not connected properly could cause a power surge to the trailer which could cause faults in the entire vehicle electronics system and also cause accidents and serious injuries.

• Have all work on the electric system carried out by a qualified workshop.

• Never connect the trailer's electrical system directly with the electrical connections of the tail lights or to other electricity supplies.

NOTICE

If you park the trailer using the support wheel or other trailer supports, disconnect the trailer from the vehicle. The vehicle could rock up and down if the load changes or if there is damage to the tyres. If this happens, a great deal of force will be exerted on the towing bracket and trailer which could lead to damage to the vehicle and trailer.

If there is a fault in the vehicle or trailer electrical systems or if there are problems with the anti-theft alarm have the systems checked by a qualified workshop.

If the engine is not running and electrical equipment is switched on in the trailer via the trailer socket, the vehicle battery will discharge.

Trailers with LED tail lights cannot, for technical reasons, be integrated in the anti-theft alarm system.