2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER wheel

Transporting items
Driving notes
ClJl Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Stowing items of luggage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Stowing cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Buckle straps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Ratchet straps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Driving with an open tailgate or open wing doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Driving a loaded vehicle .... 130
Always secure the load transported in the luggage compartment or load compartment, on the roof car-rier, on the load surface or trailer. Always use suita-ble securing straps with the fastening rings to se-cure heavy items. Never exceed the vehicle's max-imum payload. Both the payload and the distribu-tion of the load in the vehicle will have an effect on the driving response and braking distance &.
Using securing straps
• Follow the instructions for the securing straps.
• Observe specifications for maximum load rat-ing.
• The securing straps must be long enough for the item you wish to secure.
Damaged securing straps
Never use the securing straps if:
• Damage to the warp and weft of the webbing (cuts or fraying) accounts for more than 10% of the webbing.
• The seams are damaged.
• The webbing is deformed by friction or heat.
• The securing straps are cracked, especially if cracked across the strap, or if the straps have notches.
• The securing straps have splits or corrosion damage.
• There is damage to the tightening device and connection elements.
Additional information and warnings:
• Tailgate 49
• Wing doors 52
• Lights 106
• Luggage compartment 130
• Roof carrier 137
• Towing a trailer 139
• Wheels and tyres 367
• Vehicle weight and axle weight rating 450
A WARNING
Objects that are not secured, or are secured incorrectly, can cause serious injuries in the event of a sudden driving or braking manoeu-vre or accident. This applies particularly if objects are struck by the airbag when activa-ted and then flung through the vehicle interi-or. To reduce the risk of accidents, please ob-serve the following guidelines:
• Always stow all objects in the vehicle se· curely.
• Always use suitable straps to prevent ob-jects entering the deployment zones of the curtain alrbag, the combined curtain and side airbag or the front airbag during a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre.
• Objects should be stowed in the vehicle interior In such a way that they can never en-ter the alrbag deployment zones while the ve-hicle is In motion.
• Always keep stowage compartments closed while the vehicle is In motion.
• The front airbag must be switched off and the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 'Ji; must light up for as long as the front passenger seat backrest is folded forwards.
• Stowed objects must never cause passen-gers to assume an incorrect sitting position.
• If an item is being stowed on a seat, this seat must not be used by any passengers.
A WARNING
Transporting heavy objects changes the vehi-cle driving characteristics and increases the braking distance. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause se-rious injury. .,..
Transporting items 125

Additional information and warnings:
• Airbag system =:.page 87
• Lights =:.page 106
• Transporting =:.page 125
• Towing a trailer=> page 139
• Luggage net, California =>page 192
• Wheels and tyres =>page 367
A WARNING
When the vehicle is not in use or is not being supervised, always lock the doors and tail-gate to reduce the risk of severe or fatal inju-ries.
• Never leave children unattended, especial-ly when the tailgate is open. Children could make their way into the luggage compart-ment, close the tailgate and be unable to get out. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.
• Never let children play in or around the ve-hicle.
• Do not travel with people in the luggage compartment.
A WARNING
Objects that are not secured, or are secured Incorrectly, can cause serious injuries in the event of a sudden driving or braking manoeu-vre or accident. This applies particularly if objects are struck by the alrbag when activa-ted and then flung through the vehicle interi-or. To reduce the risk of accidents, please ob-serve the following guidelines:
• Always stow all objects In the vehicle se· curely. Always stow luggage and heavy ob-jects in the luggage compartment.
• Always use suitable straps to prevent lug-gage from being thrown through the vehicle Interior and entering the deployment zones of
A WARNING (Continued)
the curtain alrbag, the combined curtain and side airbag or the front airbag In the event of a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre.
• Always keep stowage compartments closed while the vehicle is In motion.
• Do not stow any hard, heavy or sharp ob· jects loose in any of the vehicle's open stow-age areas, on the luggage compartment cov-er or on the dash panel.
• Remove any hard, heavy or sharp objects from items of clothing and bags Inside the vehicle and stow them securely.
A WARNING
Transporting heavy objects changes the vehi-cle's handling and increases the braking dis-tance. Heavy loads that are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and can cause serious injury.
• Transporting heavy objects changes the vehicle's handling and the centre of gravity.
• The payload should be distributed as evenly as possible in the vehicle.
• Always secure heavy objects In the lug-gage compartment as far in front of the rear axle as possible.
CD
Hard objects on the shelf can chafe against the wires of the heating element in the rear window and cause damage.
m Always ensure that the venlilalion openings L!J between the rear window and the stowage area are uncovered to allow stale air to escape from the vehicle. Transporting items 131

Additional information and warnings:
• Lights 106
• Transporting 125
• Driving with respect for the environment 278
• Wheels and tyres 367
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts 394
A wARNING
When transporting heavy or bulky objects in the roof carrier, the vehicle's handling will change due to a shift in the centre of gravity and an increased susceptibility to cross-winds.
• Always secure loads properly using suita-ble and undamaged securing straps.
• Cargo that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat will have a negative effect on the vehicle aerodynamics, centre of gravity and overall handling.
Attaching the mounts and roof carrier
r-Y'n First read and observe the introductory L-J,:.JJ information and safety warnings &. on page 137.
Your vehicle has special roof rails on the right and left for fitting the mounts. Therefore, standard roof carriers cannot be used. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using only mounts and roof carriers that have been approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The mounts are the basis of a complete roof carrier system. Special fixtures must then be added to transport luggage, bicycles, skis, surfboards or boats safely on the roof. All components of this system are available at a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership.
The roof carrier system must always be installed exactly according to instructions and should be kept with the vehicle wallet.
138 I Before the journey
A WARNING (Continued)
• Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking manoeuvres.
• Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic con-ditions.
CD
• Always remove the roof carrier before driv-ing through an automatic car wash.
• The height of the vehicle is changed by the installation of a carrier system and the load se-cured to it. Check and compare the height of the vehicle with clearance heights, e.g. for un-derpasses and garage doors.
• The roof carrier system and its load must not obstruct you from opening and closing the sliding/tilting roof and tallgate. The roof aerial must also remain unaffected.
• When opening the tallgate, take care not to let it hit the roof load.
Driving with a fitted roof carrier will increase W air resistance and thus increase fuel con-sumption. A WARNING
Incorrectly attaching the mounts and roof carrier, and using them Inappropriately, can cause the whole system to fail off the roof. This can cause accidents and injuries.
• Always observe the manufacturer's in-structions.
• Only use mounts and roof carriers when they are undamaged and fitted correctly.
• Fit mounts and roof carriers correctly.
• Check the bolts and anchorage points be-fore starting your journey and adjust as nec-essary after driving a short distance. During a long trip, check ail bolts and fasteners at each stop.
• Special fixtures for items such as bicy-cles, skis, surfboards, etc. should always be properly Installed.
• Do not carry out any alterations or repairs to the mounts and roof carrier.
W Read and observe the instructions provided L!J for the fitted roof carrier system and carry them in the vehicle at all times.

In low temperatures, fit winter tyres to both the ve-hicle and the trailer.
Drawbar load
The drawbar load is the weight that the towing bracket exerts on the ball coupling vertically from above. The maximum permitted weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball coupling of the tow-ing bracket must not exceed 100 kg.
The figures for the draw bar weights that are given on the type plate of the towing bracket are for cer-tification purposes only. The correct values for your specific model, which may be lower than these fig-ures, are given in the vehicle registration docu-ments. All data in the official vehicle documents take precedence over these data &.
In the interest of road safety, Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles recommends that you always trans-port the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will be poor if the drawbar load is too small.
The drawbar load increases the weight on the rear axle and reduces the maximum load level as a re-sult.
Vehicles with starUstop system
• If a factory-fitted towing bracket or a towing bracket retro-fitted by Volkswagen Commercial Ve-hicles is used, the Start/Stop system remains ac-tive when towing a trailer 283.
• If towing brackets that were not retrofitted by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are used, the StarUStop system must be switched off manually using the button in the dash panel before you start towing a trailer and must remain switched off as long as a trailer is being towed &.
Tachograph
For vehicles whose gross vehicle weight rating, in-cluding trailer exceeds 3,500 kg, and those used commercially to transport goods, use of a tacho-graph is required by law. This is irrespective of whether the vehicle or the trailer or both are used for commercial transportation of goods.
Additional information and warnings:
• Exterior views 5
• Lights 106
• Tachograph 172
• Braking, stopping and parking 269
• Driving with respect for the environment 278
• Wheels and tyres 367
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts 394
140 Before the journey
• Maximum permitted trailer weights =>page 450
• Maximum permitted gross combination weight rating =>page 450
A WARNING
it is dangerous to transport people In a trailer and it may also be illegal.
A WARNING
Improper use of the towing bracket can cause Injury and accidents.
• 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.
• To reduce the risk of Injury In rear-end col· lis ions, and to pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle Is parked, always remove the ball coupling when a trailer Is not being used.
• Never Install a weight-distributing or load-balancing towing bracket to the vehicle. The vehicle Is not constructed for these kinds of towing brackets. The towing bracket can fall, causing the trailer to tear loose from the vehl· cl e.
A WARNING
Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky Items can change the way the vehicle's handling. This can lead to accidents.
• Always secure loads properly using suita-ble and undamaged securing straps.
• Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic con-ditions.
• Trailers with a high centre of gravity are more likely to tip over than trailers with a low centre of gravity.
• 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 snak-Ing.
• Never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 m ph) when towing a trailer or 100 km/h (62 mph) In exceptional cases. This also applies to coun-tries where higher speeds are permitted. AI· ways obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles that are towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers. .,.

Key to Fig. 113:
Q) Cap
® Ball coupling
@ Retaining balls
@ Catch for locking mechanism
® Shank
® Centring device
0 Handwheel
® Keys
® Cover
® Gap (pre-tensioned ball coupling)
® Green marking on the ball coupling
@ Green marking on handwheel
@ Red marking on handwheel
Step 1: preparations
• Before using the ball coupling for the first time, make a note of the number stamped on the key. This can be used if you need to acquire a replace-ment key.
• Remove the cap from the mounting.
• Check to ensure that the mounting, handwheel 0. shank® and retaining balls@ of the ball cou-pling are all clean and not damaged Clean as necessary.
Step 2: setting the ball coupling to the "ready" position
The ball coupling cannot be fitted properly unless the spring mechanism inside the ball joint is in the ready position.
• Take the ball coupling in your left hand.
• Remove the cover® from the lock and insert the key ® into the lock.
• Turn the key clockwise.
• Use your right hand to pull out the handwheel 0 in the direction of arrow 1 and keep it in this po-
• Turn the handwheel 0 in the direction of arrow 2 until it engages. The ball coupling is now in the ready position. The red marking @on the hand-wheel must point towards the green marking ® on the ball coupling. The handwheel is clearly visible in front of the ball coupling. The distance between the two is approximately 4 mm @.
• Check to see whether all retaining balls @can be pressed fully into the ball coupling mount @.
Step 3: attaching the pre-tensioned ball coupling to the vehicle
Do not touch the handwheel once the ball coupling has been pre-tensioned. When engaged, the hand-wheel will spring back to its original position and could cause injury = &.
• Guide the pre-tensioned ball coupling into the mounting pipe from below.
• Push the ball coupling firmly upwards until it en-gages. Both of the centring devices ® must en-gage in the insertion point on the vehicle.
• The handwheel has now returned to its original position. There is no longer a gap between the handwheel and the ball coupling.
• Turn the key ® anticlockwise in the handwheel and remove it.
• If the setting is correct, you will not be able to turn the handwheel or pull it out.
• Put the cover® over the lock and place the key in the vehicle toolkit.
Step 4: safety check
Check to see whether the ball coupling is attached properly:
• The green marking@ on the handwheel must point towards the green marking @ on the ball coupling.
• The handwheel must rest on the ball coupling and there may be no gap between them.
• Shake the ball coupling or pull it down with some force. lt must sit firmly in the mounting = &.
• The lock must be locked and the key removed. The cover must be fitted over the lock in the hand-wheel.
A wARNING
Improper fitting of the ball coupling can cause injuries and accidents.
• Only use the ball coupling when it is fitted properly.
• If the smallest diameter on the ball cou-pling ® is smaller than 49 mm, do not use the towing bracket.
• The ball coupling is heavy. When checking whether it is secure, the ball coupling could fall off and cause injuries.
• Do not touch the handwheel once the ball coupling has been pre-tensioned. When the ball coupling is pressed into the mounting, the handwheel will spring back to its original position. ..,
Transporting items 1143

A WARNING (Continued)
• If the ball coupling will not fit properly, the towing bracket should be checked by a quali-fied workshop.
• Do not use the towing bracket If the ball coupling does not engage properly or if you are unable to set it to the "ready" position.
• Do not use the towing bracket if you are unable to remove the key from the handwheel once the ball coupling has been mounted. This means that ball coupling Is not locked properly.
Removing the ball coupling
r--T'n First read and observe the Introductory L-J.:.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 139.
• Unhitch the trailer => &.
• Remove the cover =>Fig. 113 ®from the lock on the handwheel.
• Insert the key® into the lock and turn it clock-wise.
• Hold the ball coupling tightly in your left hand =>&.
• Use your right hand to pull out the handwheel 0 in the direction of arrow 1 and keep it in this po-sition.
• Turn the handwheel 0 in the direction of arrow 2 until it engages.
Hitching and connecting the trailer
Fig. 114 Pin assignment for the trailer socket.
1441 Before the journey
A WARNING (Continued)
• Always fasten the ball coupling securely In the luggage compartment once it has been removed.
CD
• The mounting on the vehicle, handwheel, shank and ball coupling retaining balls must all be clean and undamaged. Otherwise you may not be able to lock the ball coupling securely.
• Do not aim a high-pressure hose or steam cleaner directly at the ball coupling mounting. This could wash the grease required for lubri-cation out of the mounting. • Keep the handwheel in this position and guide the ball coupling downwards out of the mounting. The ball coupling is now in the ready position.
• Pivot the trailer socket back fully from left to right to prevent soiling and damage to the mount-ing.
• Insert the cap in the mounting again.
A WARNING
The removable ball coupling Is heavy. The ball coupling could fall while it Is being re-moved. This could cause Injuries.
• Only unlock the ball coupling once the L-tr_a_ile_r_h_a_s __ be_e_n __ u_n_hi_tc_h_e_d_. ____________
r--T'n First read and observe the Introductory L-J.:.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 139.
Key to diagram Fig. 114:
Pin Meaning
1 Left turn signal
2 Rear fog light
3 Earth for pins 1 -8
4 Right turn signal
5 Rear light, right
6 Brake light
7 Rear light, left

Key to diagram Fig. 114:
Pin Meaning
8 Reversing light
9 Permanent live
10 Charging cable plus
11 Earth pin 10, charging cable
12 Not assigned
13 Earth pin 9, permanent live
Trailer socket
A 13-pin trailer socket makes the electrical connec-tion between the towing vehicle and the trailer. When the engine is running, electrical consumers in the trailer are supplied with voltage (charging ca-ble) via the electrical connection (pin 10 of the trail-er socket). If required, the charging cable charges the caravan's battery.
When a trailer is electrically detected, electrical consumers in the trailer are supplied with voltage (permanent live) via the electrical connection (pin 9). Permanent live supplies a trailer's interior lighting for example. Electrical consumers such as a caravan refrigerator are supplied with voltage on-ly when the engine is running (pin 1 0).
To avoid overloading the electrical system, do not inter-connect the three earth wires (pins 3, 11 and 13).
If the trailer has a 7 -pin plug you will need to use a suitable adapter cable. Pin 10 (charging cable) is then without function.
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 rear lights
Ensure that the trailer lights work properly and meet legal requirements. Do not exceed the maxi-mum power consumption for the trailer 142.
Connection to the anti-theft alarm
The trailer is integrated in the anti-theft system if the following conditions are fulfilled:
• 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 trig-gered 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.
Trailer with LED rear lights
For technical reasons, trailers with LED tail lights cannot be integrated into the anti-theft alarm sys-tem.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is not trig-gered as soon as the electrical connection to the trailer with LED rear lights is interrupted.
A WARNING
Any electrical cables that are not connected properly could cause a power surge to the trailer. This could cause faults tn the entire vehicle electronics system and also lead to accidents and serious Injuries.
• All work on the electric system should be carried out by a qualified workshop.
• Never connect the trailer's electrical sys-tem directly to the electrical connections of the tail lights or to other sources of electrici-ty.
CD
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 vehi-cle and trailer.
CD
Maximum power consumption of the trailer should not be exceeded. Otherwise, the vehicle electrical system could be damaged.
m If there is a fault in the vehicle or trailer elec-L.:!.J trical systems or in the anti-theft alarm, have the systems checked by a qualified workshop.
m If the engine is not running and electrical L.:!.J equipment is switched on in the trailer via the trailer socket, the vehicle battery will discharge. .,.
Transporting Items 145

m If the vehicle battery charge level is low, the W electrical connection to the trailer will be in-terrupted automatically.
Loading the trailer
ill1 First read and observe the introductory L-W.! information and safety warnings & on page 139.
Trailer weight and drawbar load
The trailer weight is the weight that the vehicle can pull &. The drawbar load is the weight that the towing bracket exerts on the ball coupling vertically from above.
The figures for trailer weights and draw bar weights that are given on the data plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The cor-rect values for your specific model, which may be lower than these figures, are given in the vehicle registration documents. All data in the official vehi-cle documents take precedence over these data.
In the interest of road safety, Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles recommends that you always trans-port the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will be poor if the drawbar load is too small.
The drawbar load increases the weight on the rear axle and reduces the maximum load level as a re-sult.
Gross combination weight rating
The combination weight is made up of the actual weight of the loaded vehicle and of the loaded trail-er.
Loading the trailer
The weight of the load should be distributed even-ly. The maximum permitted drawbar load should be utilised. Do not place the load only at the front or the rear of the trailer:
Towing a trailer
ill1 First read and observe the introductory L-W.! information and safety warnings & on page 139.
146 Before the Journey
m When the engine is running, electrical con-w sumers in the trailer are supplied with voltage via the electrical connection (pin 9 and pin 10 of the trailer socket). • Distribute the load in the trailer so that heavy objects are either over or as near to the axle as possible.
• Secure all loads on the trailer properly.
Tyre pressure
Follow the trailer manufacturer's recommendations concerning the tyre pressure for the trailer tyres.
When towing a trailer, inflate the wheels on the towing vehicle with the maximum permitted tyre pressure 367.
A WARNING
Accidents and serious injuries can occur if you exceed the vehicle's maximum permitted gross axle weight rating, drawbar load, gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating.
• Never exceed the specified values .
• Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the gross axle weight ratings. Never exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight for the vehicle with weight at the front and rear of the vehicle.
A wARNING
Loads that may slide can severely Impair sta-bility and driving safety, which can cause ac-cidents and severe injuries.
• Always load trailers correctly .
• Always secure loads using suitable and undamaged securing straps.
Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehi-cle enough for the dipped beam to blind other road users. Use the headlight range control to lower the
light cone as required 113. .,.