2021 VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC towing

Depending on the vehicle equipment, observe the signs about stowing loads that are attached in the
luggage compartment.
Never secure a child seat to the fastening rings.

The maximum load rating of the fastening rings is approximately 3.5 kN.

Suitable lashing, retaining or securing straps and luggage securing systems are available from
qualified workshops. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Bag hooks

Fig. 152 In the luggage compartment: bag hook.
Bag hooks may be located on the left and right-hand sides of the luggage compartment ⇒ Fig. 152 .

WARNING
Never use the bag hooks for lashing down items of luggage or other objects. The bag hook could
break off during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in the event of an accident.

NOTICE
Do not load each bag hook with more than 2.5 kg.
Load-through hatch

Before driving through an automatic car wash.
The vehicle height exceeds the required clearance height, e.g. in a garage.

NOTICE
Always remove the roof carrier before driving through an automatic car wash.
The height of the vehicle is changed by the installation of a roof carrier and the load secured to it.
Check and compare the height of the vehicle with clearance heights, e.g. for underpasses and garage
doors.
The roof carrier and its load must not obstruct you from opening and closing the glass roof and the
boot lid. The roof aerial must also remain unaffected.

Driving with a fitted roof carrier will increase air resistance and thus increase fuel consumption.
Trailer towing
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Technical requirements 
⇒ Fitting the removable ball head 
⇒ Removing the ball head 
⇒ Notes on towing a trailer 
⇒ Loading the trailer 
⇒ Driving with a trailer 
⇒ Trailer stabilisation 
⇒ Retrofitting a towing bracket 
The vehicle can be used to tow a trailer if it has the required technical equipment for this. The
additional trailer load will affect the amount of wear, fuel consumption and performance of the
vehicle and, in certain circumstances, could shorten the service intervals.
Driving with a trailer not only places an extra load on the vehicle, but also requires increased
concentration on the part of the driver.
Vehicles with start/stop system
When using towing brackets that were not retrofitted by Volkswagen, the start/stop system must be
deactivated manually using the button in the centre console before towing a trailer, and it must
remain deactivated for as long as a trailer is being towed ⇒ .

DANGER
It is dangerous to transport people in a trailer and it may also be illegal.

WARNING
Improper use of the towing bracket can lead to a loss of vehicle control, accidents and serious
injuries.
Only use the towing bracket if it is fitted properly and is not damaged.
Do not carry out any alterations or repairs to the towing bracket.
Wherever possible, swivel in or remove the ball head when a trailer is not being used in order to
reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists when
the vehicle is parked.
Never install a weight-distributing or load-balancing towing bracket to the vehicle. The vehicle is not
designed for these kinds of towing brackets. The towing bracket can fail, causing the trailer to tear
loose from the vehicle.

WARNING
Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky items can change the vehicle handling and increase
the braking distance. This can lead to accidents.
Always secure loads properly using suitable and undamaged lashing, retaining or securing straps.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.
Trailers with a high centre of gravity are more likely to tip over than trailers with a low centre of
gravity.
Always drive carefully and think ahead. Accelerate very carefully and gently. Avoid abrupt and
sudden driving and braking manoeuvres.
Take special care when overtaking. Reduce your speed immediately if the trailer shows even the
slightest sign of snaking.
Never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph) when towing a trailer, also 100 km/h (60 mph) in
exceptional cases. This also applies to countries where higher speeds are permitted. Keep to
country-specific speed limits, which may be lower for vehicles with trailers than for vehicles without
trailers.
Never try to stop a trailer from snaking by increasing your speed.
Never install a weight-distributing or load-balancing towing bracket on the vehicle.

WARNING
The start/stop system must always be switched off manually when towing a trailer using towing
brackets that have not been retrofitted by Volkswagen. Otherwise faults can occur in the brake
system, possibly resulting in accidents and serious injuries.

NOTICE
Observe the instructions and information for vehicles with an N1 approval ⇒ Information about
vehicles with N1 approval (light commercial vehicle) .

Always switch off the anti-theft alarm before a trailer is hitched or unhitched or a bicycle carrier is
loaded or unloaded ⇒ Anti-theft alarm . The tilt sensor could otherwise trigger an alarm
unintentionally.

With a new engine, do not tow a trailer during the first 1,000 km ⇒ Running in the engine .

Some retrofitted towing brackets may cover the aperture for fitting the towing eye. If so, the towing
eye cannot be used for towing or tow-starting other vehicles. For this reason, the removed ball head
of a retrofitted towing bracket should be kept in the vehicle at all times.
Technical requirements
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
Cooling system
There is an increased load on the engine and the cooling system when towing a trailer. The cooling
system must contain sufficient coolant and be able to cope with the extra load due to trailer towing.
Trailer brake
If the trailer is equipped with its own brake system, comply with the relevant regulations.
Trailer tail light clusters
The trailer tail light clusters must work correctly and meet legal requirements. Do not exceed the
maximum power consumption for the trailer.
Exterior mirrors
If you are unable to see the traffic behind the trailer using the vehicle's standard exterior mirrors,
additional exterior mirrors should be fitted in accordance with any country-specific regulations.
Before setting off, adjust the exterior mirrors so that you have a sufficient view towards the rear.

Retrofitting a towing bracket
Only use a towing bracket which has been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle type. Always
check and observe the data provided by the towing bracket manufacturer.
Maximum power consumption of the trailer's electrical consumers
Never exceed the specified values.
Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America
All brake lights 84 watts
Turn signal per side 42 watts
All side lights 100 watts
All tail lights 42 watts
Rear fog light 42 watts

Australia
All brake lights 108 watts
Turn signal per side 54 watts
All side lights 100 watts
All tail lights 54 watts
Rear fog light 54 watts

WARNING
If the towing bracket is unsuitable or incorrectly fitted, the trailer could become detached from the
towing vehicle. This can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries.
Never fit a towing bracket to the rear bumper or its mountings. The towing bracket must not prevent
the rear bumper from functioning correctly.
Do not carry out any alterations to the exhaust or brake systems.

NOTICE

The vehicle electronics system may be damaged if the trailer's power consumption is too high.
Never connect the trailer's electrical system directly to the electrical connections of the tail light
clusters or to other power sources. Use only suitable connectors to supply power to the trailer.

Towing a trailer places additional demands on the vehicle. Volkswagen recommends additional
services between the normal inspection intervals if the vehicle is used frequently for towing a trailer.
Fitting the removable ball head

Fig. 155 Overview: removable ball head.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
Key to⇒ Fig. 155 
Protective cap 1)
Ball head
Retaining balls
Shank
Centring device
Release lever
Keys
Lock cap

Turn the key ⑦ clockwise until the part of the lock with the holes is at the top.
Fit the lock cap ⑧ on the lock and place the key ⑦ in the vehicle toolkit.
Step 5: safety check
Before hitching a trailer, check if the ball head is fixed correctly.
The locking lever ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑥ is in the uppermost position.
The green section of the release pin ⑨ is visible.
Shake the ball head ② or pull it down with some force. It must sit firmly in the mounting ⇒ .
The lock must be locked and the key ⑦ removed.
The lock cover ⑧ must cover the lock in the locking lever.

WARNING
Improper use of the towing bracket can cause injuries and accidents.

t diameter of the ball ⇒ Fig. 155  ③ is less than 49 mm, do not use the towing
bracket.
injuries.
been pre-tensioned. When the ball head is
pressed into the mounting, the locking lever will spring back to its original position.
workshop.
wing bracket if the ball head does not engage properly or if you are unable to
pre-tension it.
ball head has been mounted. This means that ball head is not locked properly.


NOTICE
and undamaged. Otherwise you may not be able to lock the ball head securely.
-pressure hose or steam cleaner directly at the ball head mounting. This could
wash the grease required for lubrication out of the mounting.
1) Not always included in the scope of delivery.

Removing the ball head
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
⇒ Electronic parking brake .

ailer and disconnect the electrical connection between the vehicle and the trailer.
If fitted, remove adapters from the trailer socket.
⇒ Fig. 155  ⑧ from the lock in the locking lever and insert the key ⑦ into
the lock.
e key ⑦ anti-clockwise until the part of the key with the hole is at the top.
② with your hand.
⑨ and at the same time press the locking lever ⑥ down as far as it will go
⇒ . The ball head is pre-tensioned.

⑥ and stow the pre-tensioned ball head safely with the vehicle toolkit.
② with your hand.
damage to the mounting.


WARNING
The removable ball head is heavy. The ball head could fall while it is being removed. This could cause
injuries.

Notes on towing a trailer