Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual: Ball mount

Fig. 107 Dimensions of the ball mount
support.
Read and follow the introductory information and
safety information first⇒

Introduction
to the subject
If you must tow a trailer, you must have the necessary electrical
wiring and socket together with a suitable trailer hitch installed. Because towing
a trailer places a great deal of stress on the vehicle, the attachment of a trailer
to the vehicle and the dimensions of the receiver and ball mount are very important
so that the extra forces the vehicle has to withstand can be properly handled.
Depending on its equipment, certain parts required for the installation of a
trailer hitch may already have been installed at the factory. If your vehicle does
not already have the preparation package installed, your authorized Volkswagen dealer
or authorized Volkswagen Service facility can install the necessary parts and equipment
including the proper trailer hitch for you.
The receiver used requires both a ball mount and a ball that meet special requirements
regarding geometry and size. This applies to both the height of the ball above the
surface where it attaches ⇒ Fig. 107Ⓐ , and the pin-to-ball distance ⇒ Fig. 107Ⓑ .
These dimensions are important because they help determine the way that the forces
that arise during towing are applied to the receiver and its attachments to the
vehicle. If you buy a ball mount and ball, make sure that they meet the following
specifications.
Ball mount dimensions
- The drop height Ⓐ from the center of the ball to the center of the hole
for the securing pin on the ball mount must be at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) and
at most 27 /8 inches (73 mm).
- The pin-to-ball distance Ⓑ from the center of the ball to the center of
the hole for the securing pin on the ball mount must be no more than 7 inches
(178 mm).
- The ball diameter must be no more than 2 inches (51 mm).
Volkswagen recommends that you have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility install the hitch receiver, electrical system and socket.
A ball mount and ball combination that does not meet these specifications can
damage your vehicle and may even fail in use ⇒
.
Never install a weight distributing or load equalizing trailer hitch on your
vehicle. The vehicle is not designed for this kind of trailer hitch ⇒
.

Warning
An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate
from the towing vehicle and result in a major accident with serious personal injuries.
- Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch done by
a qualified workshop.

Caution
The ball mount sticks out behind the rear bumper and can cause injury to pedestrians
and cyclists.
- To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians
and cyclists when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball carrier when
you are not towing a trailer.

Note
- Never use a hitch ball larger than 2 inches in diameter on your vehicle.
The vehicle was not designed to tow heavier trailers with a receivers larger
than the specified ball. The increased loads can damage the attachment points
for the trailer hitch.
- Never use an adapter to increase the size of the trailer hitch receiver
from 2 inches to a larger size to tow a trailer that is heavier than the maximum
permissible trailer weight that your vehicle can tow.
- You can use an adapter if required for the proper installation of a bicycle
rack or other similar carrier as long as the maximum weight limits are observed.
When using bicycle racks or similar carriers, make sure that the rear lights
are not blocked.
- Only use trailer hitches that are approved by the hitch manufacturer for
your vehicle and model.
Read and follow the introductory information and
safety information first⇒Introduction
to the subject Headlight settings
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the ...
Fig. 108 Dimensions and attachment points
for retrofitting a trailer hitch.
Read and follow the introductory information and
safety information first⇒Introduction
to the subject Volkswagen ...
See More:
Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual > Towing: Introduction to the subject
In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:⇒ Towing
on a commercial tow truck
⇒ Tips on towing ⇒ Installing the front towing eye
⇒ Installing the rear towing eye ⇒ Driving tips while towing
Observe legal requirements when towing.
Your vehicle is ...