Connecting Your Trailer To A Tow Vehicle

First time trailer owners and even users who don’t connect a trailer often can see hooking up a trailer as a
daunting task. Here is a simple guide to connect the trailer to your vehicle.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to hook up your trailer the right way:

1. Look for a helping hand or use the attached jack.
   

It’s almost impossible to lift a heavy trailer and attach it to your vehicle on your own without the use of
fixed jack. Always use the jack on the front of the tongue to lift with ease. Try to ask a nearby friend or your
neighbor to assist you if your jack is in-operable or non-existent.

1. Position your vehicle, not the other way around

Align your vehicle to the trailer tongue as this will make it easier in estimating the height and distance
compared to manually pulling the trailer. Position your vehicle about a foot away from the trailer, then adjust
the trailer’s height to match the coupler and the trailer ball via the jack.

1. Back the vehicle up carefully

Slowly back up your car until it touches the edge of the coupler. It should be done with extreme caution, or
you might hit the trailer too hard.

During this process, ask your helping set of extra eyes to observe the coupler and the trailer ball and make
sure that they are precisely aligned. If they aren’t, pull forward to reset, then back up again.

Also consider purchasing a hitch and coupler alignment tool which is simply a tennis ball on an extendable
pole.

1. Lower the coupler onto the ball.
   

Once the coupler is aligned with the trailer ball, park the vehicle properly and pull up the emergency brake to
prevent it from wobbling. Afterward, start lowering the coupler and affix it on the ball. To do this, you need
to unlock the coupler.

1. Latch the coupler and attach the safety chains

Latch the coupler securely onto the trailer ball and lock it with a safety pin or a coupler lock. Test the
connection by jacking up the trailer tongue. A securely attached coupler won’t come undone easily. When that
happens, it means that the coupler is loose and needs to be re-seated. Unlatch it and try again, and make sure
it is resting fully on the trailer ball.

After a successful attempt, attach both safety chains. Attaching a safety chain is done in a crisscross
pattern. That is to guarantee that it won’t come loose easily and in hopes it may “catch” the trailer if it were
to disconnect. The chain shouldn’t be touching the ground, if it is to low (less than2′ from ground) twist the
chains slightly reducing the slack.

There are various types of safety chains and ratings, ensure you have some that are strong enough to endure the
trailer’s weight.

1. Test the trailer lights

Lastly, test the trailer lights if they’re working properly. Check your  turn signals, running lights, and
brake lights. It’s critical to test that these are functioning right in observance of road safety procedures. If
there’s no response from the lights entirely, it’s likely that your trailer isn’t properly attached. If that’s
the case, repeat the previous steps and try again.

Conclusion

Attaching your trailer to your vehicle will require observance of safety procedures. That being said, it’s not
a complicated process. By following the steps above, you’ll have a higher chance of hitching up your trailer
safely, quickly and precisely.

If you’re shopping for trailers for sale in Georgia and are looking for a quality enclosed trailer for sale, get in touch with us
today. 770-603-8511