How much longitudinal play may there be in the drawbar of the hitch?

Your answer is correct: No longitudinal play is permitted in the drawbar of the hitch. According to German traffic regulations, the connection between a towing vehicle and trailer must be secure and without any play to ensure safe handling and prevent accidents. Any longitudinal play could lead to unstable driving behavior, increased wear, or even detachment of the trailer. Therefore, the drawbar must have a snug fit with no allowable movement in the towing direction. This strict requirement helps maintain safety on the road.