Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2006 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 318)

317
Operation
Driving instructions
̈ Plug in all electrical connectors.
Towing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure your rig will be le-
gal, not only for where you reside, but also
for where you will be driving. A good
source for this information can be the po-
lice or local authorities.
Note the following points, when driving
with the trailer:
ț In order to gain skill and an under-
standing of the vehicle’s behavior, you
should practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area which is free from
traffic.
ț Before you start driving check the
ț trailer hitch
ț break-away switch
ț safety chains
ț electrical connections
ț lighting and tires
Adjust the mirrors to permit unobstructed
view beyond rear of trailer.
ț If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to make sure the
brakes are working properly.
ț Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.
ț When towing a trailer, check occasion-
ally to make sure the load is secure,
and that lighting and trailer brakes (if
so equipped) are functioning properly.
ț Take into consideration that when tow-
ing a trailer, the handling characteris-
tics are different and less stable from
those when operating the vehicle with-
out a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers.
ț The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore is limited in ac-
celeration and climbing ability, and re-
quires longer stopping distances.
It is more prone to reacting to cross
wind gusts, and requires more sensi-
tive steering input.
ț If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its
brake. Then increase the braking force.
i
When you are towing a trailer, the vehi-
cle level always remains in the Highway
setting.