Whether you're moving house or going on holiday, a trailer often comes in handy for transporting all your luggage from A to B. You've also previously read a number of Tips for towing a trailer. Hooking up your trailer yourself can be done in a few steps. You'll want to be sure it's done safely, so you don't have to turn back on the road because the trailer wasn't attached correctly. Read the step-by-step guide here!
The order of attaching your trailer
The steps for hitching an unbraked trailer in brief are:
- Remove the wheel chocks
- Position the towing vehicle as straight as possible in front of the trailer
- Pull the handbrake up
- Attach the ball coupling to the tow hitch and secure the breakaway cable to the secondary coupling.
- Ensure there is sufficient pressure for the ball coupling to click into place
- Check if the safety indicator is green/positive. Check this with a pull-out test.
- Connect the plug to the towing vehicle. Check the lights.
- Load up, step in, and go!
You usually know roughly how you’re going to proceed beforehand. When it comes down to it, you still wonder where to start. First, check whether it’s an unbraked or braked trailer. A braked trailer (from 750kg to 3,500kg) is fitted with a breakaway cable, which means that as soon as it detaches from the trailer, the trailer immediately applies its brakes. Furthermore, the step-by-step plan remains identical to that of an unbraked trailer (up to 750kg). As you can see, the sequence for hitching a trailer isn’t difficult and is fairly straightforward. That’s why it’s so important to check that every step works correctly. Also, ensure you are aware of all regulations and therefore know What is the towing capacity of your car.
Additionally, now that you are driving with extra load, it is even more important to check the tyres for wear and tyre pressure. This will prevent dangerous situations or a blow-out. Also, don't forget to check the lighting of both the towing vehicle and the trailer, and to affix the licence plate to the trailer (if necessary).
Trailer disconnection order
After use, it's time to unhitch the trailer from the towing vehicle. Now you might think, ‘I know how to hitch a trailer, so this will be a doddle’. That's true, but just to be sure, run through this short step-by-step guide:
- Unplug from the towing vehicle (tie it around the corresponding bracket on the trailer).
- Pull the handle of the breakaway coupling upwards and remove the breakaway cable
- Remove the ball coupling from the tow hitch
- Place the wheel stops
Here too; it's not difficult, but it is a matter of checking. In this case, it's good to check that you put everything back in the right place and securely, so you're not caught out next time you connect by missing or worn-out items.
You now have all the knowledge needed to hitch a trailer. However, are you still looking for the right car with a tow bar? At Adrem Car Rental Limburg There are plenty of options from small to compact cars, and manual to automatic transmissions. Whether you're looking for a car, a van, or a passenger bus, it's all here waiting for you! Get in touch and feel free to ask about the possibilities. You can also often hire a car with a tow bar for your holiday. Read in this blog why this is useful..
