Notes on installing a trailer hitch - AH31.10-P-1000-02A

MODEL 163.### 1# 

Trailer hitch removable 

The following applies for Germany:

The installed trailer coupling must be submitted to an officially-appointed expert for the purpose of inspection and approval. Foreign countries must observe the appropriate registration regulations or legal requirements for the installation of a trailer coupling.

On all areas in which the trailer hitch comes into contact with the body, the body sealing compound and the underbody coating are to be removed. The mounting points should then be cleaned with a commercially available cleaning agent. Apply anticorrosion paint to bare-metal areas of the body.

Trailer hitches are homologated safety-related parts. They are to be mounted to the vehicle by skilled personnel. Trailer couplings which have been damaged in an accident, by bottoming or by an impact from behind, must be replaced; subsequent modifications such as bending, machining, welding etc. are not permitted.

The coupling ball must have a minimum diameter of 49 mm at all points, measured using a caliper gauge.

The ball must be greased before use to reduce wear. Advise the customer accordingly.

The customer should be asked to read the chapters entitled "trailer hitch" and "Trailer operation" in the vehicle's operating instructions.

On vehicles up to model year 2000, the rear bumper must be replaced with a model year bumper.

If a rear bumper is installed on a vehicle as of model year 2000 which does not correspond to the model year 2000, it should be replaced by a rear bumper with code 800 (model year 2000).

The customer must be advised that fuse 18 in the fuse and relay module (F1) must only be inserted when towing a trailer - an external user could drain the vehicle battery when stationary.