Become
methodical about hitching up and unhitching so that you do not forget
anything.
If your towcar's mirrors do not give a good view past the trailer
you should fit towing mirrors. |
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Apply
the trailer handbrake, remove any towball and electrical socket
dust covers and security devices then wind the jockey wheel to the
required height. Check the towball is lightly oiled. (Not greased)
(If not being used with a head stabiliser.) |
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Get a
helper to stand with their hands showing you where the hitch is
(place a broom against it if you are alone) and reverse slowly back.
Your helper indicates if you are off line. |
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Raise
the front of the trailer by means of the jockey wheel assembly to
the required height, roll trailer up to the rear of the towing vehicle. |
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If the
trailer has tandem axles, raise sufficiently to raise the front
wheels clear of the ground to aid maneuverability. |
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Do not
attempt to lift the front of the trailer. Lower the trailer by means
of the jockey wheel assembly onto the towball of the vehicle. |
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Over
the last foot or so, your helper should use their hands to show
you the actual distance between towball and coupling head. |
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If you
have to stop a few inches short, judge how far back you are going
by comparing the front wheels' movement to something on the ground. |
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Wind
the jockey wheel down to lower the coupling head onto the towball. |
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Some
coupling heads have a locking handle which stays up then automatically
locks onto the ball, others have to be held up and may have an indicator
to show when the ball is in place. |
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Once
the coupling head appears locked on, lower the jockey wheel a few
turns to lift the back of the vehicle to prove the coupling head
is on properly, then fully raise the wheel before unclamping it
and, finally, securely locking it fully raised. Check that the wheel
in the position you have locked it is not interfering with the operation
of the coupling overrun mechanism. |
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Attach
safety breakaway cable(s) to the rear of vehicle. This cable will
apply the hand brake if for any reason the trailer becomes detached
whilst towing. (Clip the breakaway cable onto the special rings
some towbars have or loop it around the bar, making sure it cannot
foul the coupling head. Do not loop it round the towball neck unless
you can find no alternative.) Check that the breakaway and lighting
cables have enough slack for cornering but will not touch the ground. |
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Plug
in the lighting plug, and check all lights and indicators. The electrical
plug only fits one way, so line up its cut-out with the lug on the
bottom edge of the socket. Some cars have two sockets – use
the one with the black cover flap because the one with the white
flap is for caravan supplementary electrical systems. |
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It is
your responsibility as the driver to ensure all lights work. Turn
on the car lights and check the trailer's lights. With the ignition
on, make sure the correct indicators are working – car and
trailer indicators not matching is a common fault – then get
someone to see if the trailer brake lights work. (If you are alone,
use a short stick between the pedal and the seat to hold down the
brake pedal.) |
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Adjust
both external mirrors so that a view down both sides of the trailer
can be obtained.
(If this cannot be achieved extension mirrors should be fitted). |
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When
loading a trailer ensure the weight is distributed appropriately.
Nose weight is a very important factor in making your vehicle and
trailer combination stale during towing. Inadequate nose weight
can cause snaking problems. Too much nose weight causes other problems. |
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Noseweight
should be at least 50kg when the outfit is stationary. Refer to
the recommendations of you vehicle and trailer manufacturers. |
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It is
your responsibility, as the driver, to ensure that your vehicle
or trailer is not overloaded. |
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If the
trailer has an eye coupling, after attaching the trailer, make sure
that the safety locking catch on the towing pin is properly applied
and that the safety pin or clip is fitted.
(If this is not fitted, the trailer could become unhitched). |
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Lift
up and lock the jockey wheel assembly. (If this is not done, the
jockey wheel will become damaged). |
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