How to Couple Your Travel Trailer
Being able to couple your trailer with your tow vehicle is one of the most important aspects of safely traveling with your trailer. It’s definitely something that takes practice, but you’ll need to do it correctly every time. The hitching and unhitching process doesn’t have to be complicated, though. Keep reading to learn the basics so you can hit the road!
The Hitching Process
Before you can go anywhere, you have to hook your travel trailer up to a tow vehicle. Start by double-checking that there is no hitch lock and position the receiving latch into the open position. From that point, you’ll need a jack to lift the front end of the trailer; make sure to use wheel chocks during this step.
Consult your owner’s manual to determine if your specific travel trailer has any unique specifications involved with the hitch, such as a removable sway arm. These factors will need to be considered before coupling the trailer with the vehicle.
Once you have appropriately prepared the trailer hitch, you will need to line up the tow vehicle for coupling. Utilize your mirrors and have someone there to signal you if needed. Remember your vehicle will shift slightly once it’s in park, so you’ll need to account for that space as you line up with the trailer hitch!
After it’s lined up, you will need the hitch to meet the receiver so it can be locked into place. You may need to use the jack to adjust the height for it to be joined correctly. Always use a lockpin to secure the attachment!
If you have sway bars, attach them before lowering the trailer completely, otherwise, you can lower the trailer fully onto the joint. At this point, everything should be connected and you can remove the wheel blocks and raise the jack.
Make sure to connect your safety chains and electronics. Test that everything is working correctly before you hit the road!
The Unhitching Process
When you've arrived at the destination and are ready to disconnect the trailer, the process can essentially be repeated in reverse order. The most important part of unhitching is making sure to choose a location that is even and can support the weight of the trailer. Although you can level your travel trailer, it’s a lot easier to do if you’ve selected a good spot!
Once you’ve positioned the trailer in the best location, start by disconnecting the chains, cables, and sway bars, if you have them. Place the wheel blocks and lower the trailer slightly to put pressure on the tow vehicle. Remove the lockpin and release the latch. Then, jack the trailer up to disconnect it from the vehicle’s hitch. This process can be a little tricky, so make sure to take your time and avoid lifting the trailer too high. The tension between the vehicles can result in shifting instead of disconnecting the trailer. When it’s disconnected, move the tow vehicle forward and proceed to level and secure the travel trailer in its place!
The coupling process plays a major role in safety, so we hope this guide will help you gain confidence in completing the steps and hitting the road! Our team at Click It RV - Tri-Cities would love to share our inventory with you. You can visit us in Pasco, WA, where we proudly serve the Kennewick area.