How To Hook Up A Trailer
When your vehicle's capacity isn’t enough, a trailer can help. Still, proper installation is crucial for safety. Follow our simple steps to securely attach your trailer and transport your cargo with confidence.
Match the Trailer to the Towing Vehicle’s Capability
The first step in using a trailer is carefully choosing one that suits your towing vehicle. Ensure the fully loaded trailer is lighter than the empty weight of your vehicle to maintain safe towing capacity.
Choose the Proper Towing Hitch and Ball
Just as with the trailer, selecting the right hitch system is crucial. Ensure the hitch, ball, and coupler have weight ratings that exceed the fully loaded trailer’s weight and are compatible with each other.
Select the Correct Hitch Ball
Ensure your hitch has the correct ball size, as trailers and couplers vary. Changing the ball is simple—remove the pin, swap the ball, and secure the new one with the holding pin.
Park in a Large, Clear Space
Before attaching the trailer, ensure you have ample space to align and maneuver the vehicle-trailer combo. An empty parking lot or street is ideal for positioning the trailer and backing up without obstacles.
Raise the Height of the Trailer Coupler or Ball Socket
Before attaching the trailer, raise its coupler to clear the height of your vehicle’s hitch using a built-in or external jack. Skipping this step can damage both the trailer and your vehicle.
Back the Vehicle to the Trailer Coupler
Align your vehicle’s hitch with the trailer’s coupler carefully, preferably with a second person guiding you. Back up slowly, ensuring the centers align, and stop slightly short rather than too close.
Turn Off the Engine and Set the Emergency Brake
For safety, turn off the engine, remove the key, and set the emergency brake after positioning the trailer on the hitch. If on an incline, turn the vehicle’s wheels to prevent rolling in case the brake fails.
Lower the Tongue of the Trailer Coupler
Lower the trailer onto the hitch ball until it’s fully secured, then insert the metal pin. Test the connection by stepping on the trailer's connecting bar with your full weight—if it slips, repeat the process until it’s secure.
Attach the Safety Chains
Attach the safety chains by crisscrossing them and securing the hooks to the vehicle’s hitch, leaving enough slack for movement but not too much to drag. This step helps prevent the trailer from detaching if the ball-and-socket connection fails.
Attach the Electrical Connections and Retract/Remove the Jack
Plug in the electrical connections to sync the trailer's lights with your vehicle’s, ensuring safety on the road. If your trailer has a built-in jack, raise it fully to avoid ground contact, and you're ready to tow safely.
