2021 VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC trailer

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

Release pin with coloured marking
The removable ball head is located with the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.
Step 1: preparations
Remove the cap from the ball head mounting under the rear bumper ⇒ Rear view  and stow in the
vehicle.
Starting from the bottom right side, swivel the trailer socket as far as possible to the top left. This
gives you access to the ball head mounting.
Check to ensure that the mounting, locking lever ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑥, shank ④ and the retaining balls
③ of the ball head are all clean and not damaged ⇒ . Clean if necessary.
Step 2: check whether the ball head is pre-tensioned
The ball head cannot be fitted properly unless it is pre-tensioned.
The following conditions must be fulfilled:
The lock cover ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑧ is open and the key ⑦ is inserted
The release pin ⑨ can be moved.
The locking lever ⑥ is in the bottom position.
All retaining balls ③ can be pressed fully into the shank ④.
If all these conditions are met, continue with Step 4.
If conditions are not met, continue with Step 3.
Step 3: pre-tensioning the ball head
If the ball head is not pre-tensioned, pre-tension the ball head as follows:
Remove the lock cover ⑧ from the lock and insert the key ⑦ into the lock.
Turn the key ⑦ anti-clockwise until the part of the key with the hole is at the top.
Press the release pin ⑨ and at the same time press the locking lever ⑥ down as far as it will go ⇒
 . The locking lever remains locked in this position.
Step 4: attaching the pre-tensioned ball head to the vehicle
Do not touch the locking lever once the ball head has been pre-tensioned. When the ball head is
engaged, the locking lever will spring back to its original position and could cause injury ⇒ .
Guide the pre-tensioned removable ball head into the mounting tube from below.
Push the ball head firmly upwards until it engages. The centring devices ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑤ must engage
in the mounting points on the vehicle.
The locking lever ⑥ automatically turns up to its original position and the green section of the
release pin ⑨ is visible.

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

Fig. 156 Pin assignment for the trailer socket (illustration).
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
Pin assignment for the trailer socket ⇒ Fig. 156 :
Left turn signal
Rear fog light
Earth for pins 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Right turn signal
Tail light, right
Brake light
Tail light, left
Reversing light
Permanent positive
Permanent positive
Earth for pin 10
Not assigned
Earth for pin 9
Trailer socket
A 13-pin trailer socket produces the electrical connection between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
When the vehicle electrically detects a trailer, the consumers in the trailer are supplied with an
electrical voltage via the electrical connection (pins 9 and 10). Pin 9 is assigned as the permanent
positive, enabling operation of the trailer interior lighting, for example.
Electrical consumers such as a caravan refrigerator are supplied with power only when the engine is
running (pin 10).
To avoid overloading the electrical system, do not connect the earth wires (pins 3, 11 and 13) with
each other.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to use a suitable adapter cable. The function of pin 10 is
then not available.

If you are uncertain whether the trailer has been properly electrically connected to the towing
vehicle, please contact a qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen
dealership for this purpose.
Connection to the anti-theft alarm
The trailer is integrated in the anti-theft system if the following conditions are fulfilled:
-fitted anti-theft alarm and a factory-fitted towing bracket.

ult-free and undamaged.
-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.
Connection to the anti-theft alarm (trailer with LED tail light clusters)
For technical reasons, trailers with LED tail light clusters cannot be integrated into the anti-theft
alarm system.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is not triggered as soon as the electrical connection to the
trailer with LED tail light clusters is interrupted.

WARNING
Any electrical cables which are not connected properly or are connected incorrectly could cause the
trailer to become live. This could lead to malfunctions in the entire vehicle electronics system and
could also cause accidents and serious injuries.

wing
vehicle's tail light clusters or to other power sources.

WARNING
Contact between the pins in the trailer socket can lead to short circuits, overloading of the electrical
system and failure of the lighting system, thereby causing accidents and serious injuries.



NOTICE