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How to attach a trailer
Five steps, about five minutes. Do them in order, every tow. If anything doesn’t feel right, don’t drive — call 1300 418 285.
Never tow if something seems wrong.
Coupling won’t lock, chains won’t reach, lights not working — stop and call 1300 418 285
before you leave the site.
1
Prep the trailer
- Take the hitch lock off and stow it in the toolbox.
- Quick walk-around: tyres look firm, wiring intact, no damage.
- Wind the jockey wheel up so the coupling sits just above your tow ball, then slowly reverse in.
- Handbrake (if fitted): off before coupling.
2
Couple onto the ball
- Line the ball directly under the coupling — small movements.
- Lift the coupling latch and handle up(unlocked).
- Lower the jockey wheel until the coupling drops over the ball and the handle falls flat — that’s locked.
- Wind the jockey wheel fully up, swing it horizontal, lock it.
The lift test — never skip it.
Try to lift the coupling off the ball. If it moves at all, it’s not locked: raise the latch and re-seat it. (Handle won’t drop flat? Adjust the jockey wheel height slightly and check the hitch lock is fully removed.)
3
Chains & lights
- Cross the chains under the drawbar — left chain to right point, right to left — and shackle them on. Crossed chains cradle the coupling if it ever comes off, keeping the drawbar off the road.
- Chains short enough not to drag, long enough for full-lock turns.
- Plug in the 7-pin flat connector; route the lead through the towbar handle so it can’t drag. Adapters are in the red toolbox on the drawbar.
- Lights on: check tail, brake and indicators on the trailer.
4
Brakes
- Overrun brakes: reversing latch up to tow, down only to reverse.
- Handbrake: pull back and lock = on. Lift and release = off. Off before towing.
- Electric brakes fitted? Follow the Electric Brakes guide to connect and test before driving.
5
Final check — 60 seconds
- Load strapped down; heavy items forward of the axle(about 60/40 front-to-rear).
- Jockey wheel fully up and locked horizontal.
- Nothing loose, nothing dragging, number plate visible.
- One full walk-around.
- Short, slow brake test somewhere safe before the main road.
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