Attaching a Trailer

Hook‑Up Guide — Unbraked Trailers (≤ 750 kg ATM)

1. Before you start

  • Unlock & inspect the trailer. Report damage on 0480 375 450.
  • Tyres: look healthy and pump to 40 psi.
  • Lights & plug: no broken lenses, wiring intact.


2. Hitching up

  • Reverse slowly so your 50 mm tow ball sits under the coupling.
  • Drop the coupling onto the ball and push the handle fully down until it clicks.
  • Wind the jockey wheel up a little—if the back of the car lifts, it’s locked.
  • Stow the jockey wheel.


3. Chain & electrics

  • Cross the safety chain under the draw‑bar and shackle it to the tow bar.
  • Plug in the trailer lead (use the on‑board adaptor if needed).
  • Test indicators, brakes and tail‑lights.



4. Loading

  • Stay under your vehicle’s towing limit and the trailer’s ATM (on the plate).
  • Put most of the weight in front of the axle—aim for about 10 % of total weight on the ball.
  • Strap everything down tight.


5. Final go/no‑go

☑ Coupling locked ☑ Chain on ☑ Lights working
☑ Tyres 40 psi ☑ Load secure


Anything wrong? Don’t tow—call 0480 375 450 with your order number.
Safe travels and thanks for choosing Empire Trailer Hire!

Hook‑Up Guide – Trailers with Overrun Brakes ( ≤ 2 000 kg ATM )

1. Pre‑hire walk‑around

  • Unlock & inspect the trailer; report damage on 0480 375 450.
  • Tyres: good tread and ≈ 50 psi cold
  • Lights & plug: lenses intact, 7‑pin lead present.
  • Handbrake OFF.


2. Hitching up

  • Reverse slowly until your 50 mm tow ball sits under the coupling (a spotter helps).
  • Drop the coupling onto the ball and push the handle fully down until it locks.
  • Wind the jockey wheel up a little—if the rear of the car lifts, it’s properly hitched.
  • Stow the jockey wheel.


3. Chain & electrics

  • Cross the safety chain and shackle it to the tow bar (only one chain required below 2.5 t).
  • Plug in the trailer lead (use the on‑board adaptor if needed).
  • Test indicators, brake and tail‑lights.


4. Loading

  • Stay under your vehicle’s towing limit and the trailer’s 2 000 kg ATM.
  • Put most weight in front of the axle—about 10 % of total mass on the ball.
  • Strap everything down tight.


5. Before moving off

☑ Coupling locked ☑ Chain on ☑ Lights working
☑ Tyres 50 psi ☑ Load secure


6. Reversing & parking

  • Flip the reversing latch CLOSED before backing—this disengages the overrun brakes so the trailer rolls freely.
  • Use two people to lift heavy tailgates on enclosed models.
  • Apply the handbrake firmly when parked.


Anything not right? Don’t tow—call 0480 375 450 with your order number.
Safe travels and thanks for choosing Empire Trailer Hire!


Hook‑Up Guide — Trailers with Electric Brakes (> 2 000 kg ATM)

1. Pre‑hire walk‑around

  • Unlock & inspect the trailer; report faults on 0480 375 450.
  • Tyres: good tread, ≈ 55 psi cold.
  • Lights & 7‑pin plug intact.
  • Break‑away battery LED shows green.
  • Handbrake OFF.


2. Hitching up

  • Reverse until your 50 mm tow ball is under the coupling.
  • Drop & lock the coupling (handle right down, safety latch engaged).
  • Lift slightly with the jockey wheel to confirm it’s secure, then stow the wheel.


3. Chains, plug & brake link

  • Cross both safety chains and shackle to the tow‑bar.
  • Plug in the trailer lead (use the on‑board adaptor if needed).
  • Headlights ON—this powers the Elecbrakes unit.
  • Clip the break‑away cable to the tow‑bar (mandatory on > 2 t trailers).


4. Elecbrakes setup

  1. Open the Elecbrakes app; it should auto‑connect (blue banner).
  2. Brake‑pedal test: press the pedal—look for the red circle in the app.
  3. Set gain:
  • Empty trailer → ≈ 40 %
  • Loaded trailer → 80–100 % (adjust so braking feels even).


5. Loading

  • Stay under your vehicle’s towing limit + trailer ATM.
  • Put most weight in front of the axle (≈ 10 % of total on the ball).
  • Secure with approved straps at all four corners—winch is not a tie‑down.
  • Check the electric winch & hydraulics (safety switch on each latch).


6. Final go/no‑go

☑ Coupling locked ☑ 2 chains on ☑ Break‑away cable clipped
☑ Lights working ☑ Tyres 55 psi ☑ Elecbrakes connected
☑ Load strapped ☑ Handbrake off


Anything wrong? Don’t tow—call 0480 375 450 with your order number.


On‑road safety

  • Max speed 100 km/h.
  • Leave extra following distance (more in the wet).
  • If sway starts, ease off the throttle—don’t stab the brakes.
  • Stop and re‑balance the load if sway persists.



Safe travels, and thanks for choosing Empire Trailer Hire!