Backing up the tow vehicle to your trailer
Check once again to make sure the coupler is higher than the hitch ball.
It is best to have help in backing up your tow vehicle to the cargo trailer.
Trying to do this alone can be dangerous and result in serious injury or death!
One person slowly and carefully backs up the tow vehicle while the other person directs them into position.
For safety, the person guiding should stand just to the outside of the tow vehicle to prevent them from being crushed between the tow vehicle and the trailer.
The person guiding should direct the driver so that the hitch ball is under the coupler. Make sure again that the coupler is still higher than the hitch ball. If it needs to be raised, make sure to have the driver put the vehicle in park before walking behind the vehicle.
When the trailer ball is centered under the coupler, crank the tongue jack to lower the trailer until the ball is all the way down onto the hitch ball. If needed, rock the trailer just enough until the couplers falls into place over the hitch ball.
If the coupler will not go all the way down on the ball, your hitch ball may be too large.
Stop what you are doing and double check to make sure you have properly matched the hitch ball with the size indicated on the coupler.
Lower the lock on the top of the coupler until it is locked into place.
- Sometimes couplers can look like they are locked so look closely to make sure that it closes into position fully. You should not be able to lift the coupler off the hitch ball when it is when it’s in place.
If there is a lot of slack and the coupler look loose over the hitch ball, your hitch ball may be too small.
Stop what you are doing and double check to make sure you have properly matched the hitch ball with the size indicated on the coupler.
Be sure to insert a pin or lock into the hole on the locking mechanism. Locks are best so that no one can steal your trailer or unlock the coupler without your knowledge.
- If the pin or lock will not line up with the hole, this may mean that the coupler latch is not fully locked into place.
To make sure that it is secure, use your trailer jack and try to raise the trailer no more than 1 inch. It should raise the rear of your tow vehicle slightly as you do this if it is properly connected.
DO NOT RAISE THE TOW VEHICLE MORE THAN ONE INCH!
If the coupler cannot be secured to the hitch ball, do not tow the trailer.
Lower the trailer until its entire tongue weight is held by the hitch. Continue retracting the jack to its fully retracted position.
Make sure the jack is all the way up, otherwise you may bend your jack by hitting a pot hole or dip in the road.