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Transporting loads with the vehicle
Loading guidelines
 | Risk of injury |
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Secure and position the load as described in the loading guidelines. You or others could otherwise be injured by the load slipping or being thrown around in the event of sharp braking, sudden changes in direction or on poor road surfaces. This also applies to seats which have been removed if they remain in the vehicle.
Even if you follow all loading guidelines, the load increases the risk of injury in the event of an accident. Observe the tips in the “Securing a load” section.
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| Risk of accident |
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Do not allow the load, including passengers, to exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight or the permissible axle loads for your vehicle.
If the permissible axle loads or permissible gross vehicle weight are exceeded during transport, tyre durability and road safety are adversely affected. The vehicle’s handling and steering characteristics change noticeably. Braking and stopping distances are significantly longer.
The vehicle’s driving, steering and braking characteristics change as the gross vehicle weight increases or the centre of gravity becomes higher.
Always make sure that the distribution of the load is correct and adapt your driving style according to the load.
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| Risk of injury |
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Following an accident, have a damaged load compartment floor or damaged loading surface, the lashing eyelets and the lashing materials checked by a specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. In particular, all work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
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If you are using a roof rack system, observe the maximum roof load and maximum roof rack system load.
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You will find information about the maximum roof load in the "Technical data" section more and information about the roof rack systems in the "Carrier systems" section more.
Before loading
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Tyre pressure: check the tyre pressure and correct if necessary more.
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Load compartment floor: clean the load compartment floor.
The load compartment floor must be free from oil and dust, dry and clean swept to prevent the load from slipping.
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Place non-slip mats (anti-slip mats) on the load compartment floor if necessary.
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As soon as the non-slip mats show signs of deformation or develop squashed areas, or traces of cracking/cutting, they can no longer be used to secure a load and must be replaced.
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During loading
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Observe the permissible axle loads and permissible gross vehicle weight for your vehicle.
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On passenger car versions with maximum seating layout, the permissible rear axle load would be exceeded if the full payload were to be loaded in the load compartment.
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Bear in mind that the unladen weight of the vehicle is increased by installing items of optional equipment and accessories.
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Observe the information about load distribution more.
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Secure the load more. Always observe the relevant national regulations.
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On platform vehicles
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Where possible, load the platform so that the centre of gravity is at the centre of the tipper.
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Load large rocks or pieces of rubble carefully. Do not drop them onto the platform from too great a height.
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Use tensioning chains if necessary to prevent the dropsides from bowing.
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Checks after loading
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Securing loads: check that the load is secure before every journey and at regular intervals during a long journey, and correct if necessary.
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Doors: close the sliding doors and rear doors.
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| Risk of poisoning |
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Make sure that the sliding doors and rear doors are always closed when the engine is running.
Exhaust fumes could otherwise enter the vehicle interior and poison you.
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Loading tailgates: on platform vehicles, the loading tailgates must be locked more.
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Headlamps: correct the headlamp range if necessary more.
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Tyre pressure: adjust the tyre pressures according to the vehicle load more.
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Driving style: adapt your driving style according to the vehicle load.
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Load distribution
The overall centre of gravity of the load should always be as low as possible, centred and between the axles near the rear axle.
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Excessive loads on individual points of the load compartment floor or on the load surface impair vehicle handling characteristics and could cause damage to the floor covering.
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On crewbuses:
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Always transport loads in the load compartment.
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Always place the load against the backrests of the rear bench seat.
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Move large and heavy loads as far towards the front of the vehicle as possible against the rear bench seat. Stow the load flush with the rear bench seat.
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Always additionally secure the load with suitable transport equipment or lashing material.
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Observe the following notes:
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Do not stack loads higher than the upper edge of the backrests.
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Transport loads behind seats that are not occupied.
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If the rear bench seat is not occupied, insert the seat belts crosswise into the buckle of the opposite seat belt.
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Securing a load
The driver is responsible for ensuring that the load is secured against slipping, tipping, rolling or falling off, both in usual traffic conditions and when swerving to avoid an obstacle or during full brake applications and on poor road surfaces.
If the load is not secured in accordance with the relevant requirements and regulations relating to load-securing techniques, this may constitute a punishable offence under local legislation.
You should therefore observe the respective legal requirements for the relevant country.
Check that the load is secure before every journey and at regular intervals during a long journey, and correct an incorrectly or inadequately secured load if necessary.
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You can obtain information about securing the load correctly from the manufacturer of the transport equipment or lashing material for securing the load.
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Fill spaces between the load and the load compartment walls or wheel arches (form fit). Use rigid transport equipment such as wedges, wooden fixings or padding.
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Attach secured and stabilised loads in all directions to lashing points, lashing eyelets and loading rails in the load compartment or on the load surface, depending on the equipment in the vehicle. Only use lashing material, such as lashing rods or lashing nets and lashing straps, that has been tested in accordance with current standards (e. g. DIN EN).
Always use the lashing eyelets closest to the load to secure it and pad sharp edges for protection.
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Lashing material tested in accordance with current standards (e. g. DIN EN) can be obtained from any specialist firm or Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Always use the lashing eyelets to secure the load, particularly when transporting heavy loads.
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 | Lashing eyelets |
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Illustration showing a crewbus
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| Lashing eyelets |
 | Loading rails |
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Illustration showing a panel van
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| Lashing eyelets |
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Illustration showing a platform
| Risk of injury |
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Do not attempt to modify or repair the lashing points, lashing eyelets or the lashing materials. The load or the lashing eyelets could work loose and cause serious injury to you and other people as well as damage to objects in the vehicle.
Spread the load evenly between the lashing points or eyelets.
Observe the loading guidelines.
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Secure loose loads with a tested lashing net or a tarpaulin, in particular on the load surface of a platform.
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Always fasten the lashing net or tarpaulin to all available lashing points. Make sure that the retaining hooks are secured against accidental opening.
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Observe the information on the maximum loading capacity of the lashing points.
If you use multiple lashing points to secure a load, you should observe the maximum loading capacity of the weakest lashing point.
When you brake hard, for example, forces apply that can be far higher than the weight force of the transported load. Always use multiple lashing points to distribute these forces, and distribute the load equally among them.
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Information about the maximum loading capacity of the lashing points can be found in the "Technical data" section more.
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If your vehicle is equipped with loading rails on the load compartment floor, you should place lashing rods directly in front of and behind the load. The lashing rods directly absorb the potential shifting forces.
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| Risk of injury |
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If you tension the lashing straps between the side walls, or between a side wall and the load compartment floor, the maximum permissible load for the loading rails or lashing points or eyelets could be exceeded if the brakes are applied suddenly or the vehicle's direction is changed abruptly.
The load would no longer be secured and there is a risk of serious injury being caused by the load slipping.
For this reason, do not tension a lashing strap between the side walls or between a side wall and the load compartment floor.
Only lashing rods are to be used between the loading rails on the side walls. Observe the operating instructions of the lashing rod manufacturer.
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Securing loads on the load compartment floor (floor lashing straps) is only recommended for lightweight loads and in combination with non-slip (anti-slip) mats.
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| Risk of injury |
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Before releasing the lashing straps, you must make sure that the load stands firmly and that it cannot tip over, even after removing the straps. Otherwise, you or others could be injured by the load slipping.
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Fitting/removing lashing points for the loading rails
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| Locking mechanism |
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To fit: slide the lashing eyelet through a recess in the loading rail close to the load until locking mechanism engages in the recess.
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| Risk of injury |
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If the lashing eyelet is not firmly anchored in the loading rail, the lashing eyelet may slip or snap out of the seat or loading rail in the event of sudden braking.
The load would no longer be secured and there is a risk of serious injury being caused by the load slipping. For this reason, always check the lashing eyelet for firm seating after fitting.
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Check lashing eyelet for firm seating.
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To remove: pull locking mechanism up and pull the lashing eyelet through a recess towards the locking mechanism and out of the loading rail.
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Carrier systems
It is possible to fit a roof rack if your vehicle is equipped with securing rails on the roof.
Special mountings (sliding blocks) are available as accessories. These are available from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
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| Securing rails |
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| Risk of accident |
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If you have fitted roof rack systems, the vehicle’s handling, steering and braking characteristics may change due to the higher centre of gravity. This is the case particularly if the roof rack system is laden. Adapt your driving style according to the vehicle load.
Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. An incorrectly secured roof rack system and / or load could:
and thereby endanger you and others.
Observe the maximum roof load and maximum roof rack system load. Loads transported on the roof must always be secured with particular care.
Do not allow the load, including passengers, to exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight or the permissible axle loads for your vehicle.
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You can find information about the maximum roof load in the "Technical data" section.
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Make sure that:
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the securing bolts for the roof rack are tightened to a torque of 8-10 Nm in the sliding blocks provided
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the bolts do not make contact with the rails when tightened
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the sliding blocks are not positioned near the plastic caps
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the sliding blocks have the correct cross-section
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the securing rails are free of dirt on the inside
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the securing bolts are retightened evenly after approximately 500 km
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use roof rack systems which have been tested and approved for Mercedes-Benz. This will help avoid damage to the vehicle.
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If you wish to retrofit securing rails, have them fitted at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work required. You could otherwise damage the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose.
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Trailer towing
The trailer tow hitch is one of the most important items on the vehicle with regard to road safety. The notes on operation, care and maintenance issued by the manufacturer should be observed.
| Risk of accident |
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Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions for the trailer tow hitch when coupling a detachable trailer tow hitch.
Couple and decouple the trailer carefully. A trailer which is incorrectly coupled to the towing vehicle could break away. A correctly coupled trailer must be positioned horizontally behind the vehicle.
Ensure that the following weights are not exceeded:
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the permissible nose weight
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the permissible trailer load
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the permissible rear axle load of the towing vehicle
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the permissible gross weight for both the towing vehicle and the trailer
The permissible values, which must not be exceeded, can be found in your vehicle documents and on the trailer tow hitch type plates for the trailer and the vehicle. Where the values differ the lowest is valid.
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You will find information about installation dimensions and loads in the "Technical data" section more.
Take into account that the vehicle’s permissible payload must be reduced to compensate for the nose weight.
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Trailer coupled ready for use
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Position the trailer horizontally behind the vehicle.
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Couple the trailer.
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| Risk of accident |
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Do not uncouple a trailer with an overrun brake when the brake is engaged. You could otherwise trap your hand between the bumper and drawbar.
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Do not uncouple a trailer with overrun brake between the bumper and drawbar, otherwise your vehicle could be damaged by the spring action of the overrun brake.
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Driving when towing a trailer
In Germany, the maximum permissible speed for vehicle/trailer combinations is 80 km/h and 100 km/h in exceptional cases.
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Do not exceed the maximum speed of 80 km/h or 100 km/h even in countries where higher speeds are permitted for vehicle/trailer combinations.
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Vehicles with passenger vehicle approval:
On vehicles with passenger vehicle approval, the permissible gross vehicle weight is increased by 100 kg when towing a trailer (EC Directive 92/ 21/EEC).
The nose weight must not exceed 100 kg for a trailer load of 2,000 kg or 120 kg for a trailer load of 2,800 kg or 3,000 kg.
The maximum permissible speed is limited to 100 km/h. Always observe the legal requirements.
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Acceleration and gradient climbing capability are reduced
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Braking distance is greater
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Vulnerability to side winds is increased
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Directional stability is adversely affected
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Fuel consumption is increased
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Maintain a greater distance than you would when driving without towing a trailer.
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Avoid sudden braking. Apply the brakes gently at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then increase the brake force quickly.
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The figures for the gradient climbing capabilities from a standstill refer to sea level. When driving in mountainous areas, note that the power output of the engine, and with it its gradient climbing capability, decrease with increasing altitude.
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On long and steep downhill gradients, you must shift to a lower gear/shift range in good time. You thereby make use of the braking effect of the engine and do not have to brake as often to maintain the speed. This protects the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. If you have to apply the brakes additionally, depress the brake pedal at intervals rather than continuously.
| Risk of accident |
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Never depress the brake pedal continuously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause the brakes to rub by applying constant slight pedal pressure. This causes the brake system to overheat, increases the braking distance and can lead to the brakes failing completely.
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If the trailer begins to swing from side to side:
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Do not accelerate.
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Do not counter-steer.
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Brake if necessary.
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| Risk of accident |
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On no account should you attempt to draw the vehicle/trailer combination out by increasing speed.
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Trailers with a 7-pin connector
If your trailer has a 7-pin connector, you can connect it to the 13-pin socket on the ball coupling using an adapter or an adapter cable, if necessary. These are both available at any qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
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| Socket with groove |
| Connector with lug |
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To fit the adapter: open the socket cover.
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Insert connector with lug into the groove of socket and turn the connector clockwise to the stop.
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Close the cover so that it engages.
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If you are using an adapter cable, secure the cable to the trailer with cable ties.
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Make sure that there is sufficient cable play so that the cable cannot become detached when cornering.
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