Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Owners Manual: Hitching and connecting the trailer

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings 

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 socket

A 13-pin trailer socket makes the electrical connection between the towing vehicle and the trailer. If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to use an adapter cable.

Rear trailer lights

Ensure that the trailer lights work properly and meet legal requirements. Do not exceed the maximum power consumption for the trailer   .

The trailer is connected to the anti-theft alarm:

• 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 triggered 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.

WARNING

Any electrical accessories which are not connected properly could cause a power surge to the trailer which could cause faults in the entire vehicle electronics system and also cause accidents and serious injuries.

• All work on the electric system should be carried out by a qualified workshop.

• Never connect the trailer's electrical system directly to the electrical connections of the tail lights or to other sources of electricity.

NOTICE

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 vehicle and trailer.

If there is a fault in the vehicle or trailer electrical systems or if there are problems with the anti-theft alarm, the systems should be checked by a qualified workshop.

If the engine is not running and electrical equipment is switched on in the trailer via the trailer socket, the vehicle battery will discharge.

For technical reasons, trailers with LED tail lights cannot be integrated into the anti-theft alarm system.

When the engine is running, electrical consumers in the trailer are supplied with voltage via the electrical connection (pin 9 and pin 10 of the trailer socket).

Questions & answers

Hitching and connecting the trailer — Volkswagen Golf Mk7

How do I connect a trailer to the Golf Mk7?

Swivel out the ball coupling, lower the trailer coupling onto the ball, lock it, plug in the trailer electrical connector, and attach the emergency breakaway cable to the car — leaving enough slack for turns.

What is the emergency breakaway cable on a Golf Mk7 trailer?

A cable that connects the trailer brake to the towing vehicle. If the trailer detaches unexpectedly, the cable activates the trailer brakes to bring it to a stop.

Where should I attach the breakaway cable on the Golf Mk7?

To the designated attachment point on the towing bracket. Leave enough slack for corners but not so much that it drags on the ground.

How do I check the Golf Mk7 trailer electrical connection?

Plug in the trailer and walk around it: check indicators, brake lights, tail lights and rear fog light. Use a helper or reflections from a wall to verify the brake lights.