Correct way of coupling and un-coupling trailer!

[Stacie_and_Jed]

Hey guys.

I have my test 1 week today and im worried in case i get this part wrong.

Is there a correct order in which to hitch and un-hitch a trailer?

I have a whole days course booked so i will go through it on the day but i thought it wont hurt to get a know how before the day.

 

[RobinHood]

I did my my test a few weeks ago and don't panic it'll be fine. I hadn't even towed a trailer until 3 hours before the test but it wasn;t nearly as bad I was expecting.

You have to unhitch first, apply handbrake and turn off car. Apply trailer handbrake, then you can unconnect electrics if on same side, then drop down jockey wheel, pull up hitch thingy and wind, then check handbrake, then breakaway cable very last. Reverse car alongside trailer and tell examiner you're goign to remove number plate.

Then hitching up. First check handbrake then walk all round trailer checking it. Then reverse up to trailer, hop out car and check if you need to, then reverse right back. Then connect breakaway cable, then you can take handbrake off so you can slightly manhandle trailer over the hitch, then hold the hitch thingy up with left hand and wind down with right hand. After you it has clicked on wind it up slightly just to check and then you can carry on winding down. Wind up jockey wheel, connect electric, ask examiner to check your lights, and mention number plate again.

Hope that's right!

 

[Stacie_and_Jed]

Ohhh thats fab, how very reassuring. I take it you passed so congrats.

Thank you for the info, i was told in a lesson how it was done but i just went blank. I have jotted it all down and will put it to practice.

Is the test as bad as it sounds with reference to 10 and 2 and is the examiners really that strict? Ive been driving with bad habbits for 5 years so i cant see i am going to be a perfect driver again in the space of a week! I have been trying to indicate all the time and not cross my hands!!!