How to Hitch and Unhitch a Trailer

If you don’t regularly use a trailer, hitching one to your vehicle can seem confusing. It’s important that your trailer is connected correctly to keep yourself and other road users safe,  not to mention keeping your precious cargo secure!  At Hirepool we have a range of different trailers suitable for every towing job, and booking a trailer online couldn’t be easier. Before you tow, let’s cover off what you need to know to hitch or unhitch a trailer.

What to know before picking up your trailer

Before you hire a trailer and hitch it to your vehicle, there are several things to consider.

What type of trailer you need

Whether you’re moving house or carrying out a landscaping job on the weekend, Hirepool has a wide selection of trailers that are up to the task. This includes cage trailers, single or tandem axle trailers, and even specialist trailers like fuel tank trailers, chiller trailers, or portaloo trailers. It’s always helpful to do a bit of research or to talk with a Hirepool staff member to find out what type of trailer is best for your particular job. 

How to use a braked trailer

Most trailers available at Hirepool are braked trailers. This means that the trailer has an internal braking system that engages with your towing vehicle to soften the impact when you’re coming to a stop. Before using a braked trailer there are a few key points that you need to know. 

• The reverse latch is used to either engage or disengage the trailer's internal braking system. Simply flick down the reverse latch up to engage the trailer’s internal brakes, or down to stop the trailer from engaging its brakes. The latch can be found on the top of the braking mechanism.
• Because the trailer’s internal brakes won’t engage while you’re reversing, it’s important to make sure your towing vehicle is capable of stopping with the added weight. This means checking that the load weight of the trailer, and the trailer itself, do not exceed your vehicle's tow capacity. 

Your vehicle's towing capacity

It’s vital to know the towing capacity of your vehicle before hitching a trailer. Simply put, your towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can tow safely. There are 3 weights to take into account when considering your towing capacity.

1. Your vehicle weight. This is available in your car user manual, or can generally be found on your vehicle's tow bar or the NZTA website. 
2. Your trailer weight. The trailer manufacturer will be able to tell you how much the trailer weighs, but you must also know the weight of the items that you are loading onto it. 
3. Your gross weight. This is the combined weight of your trailer, vehicle, and load. 

Learn how to calculate your towing capacity with our how-to guide. 

The size of your tow ball 

There are 2 main sizes of tow ball in New Zealand, 1”7/8ths or 50mm. So, it’s more than likely that your vehicle will be fitted with either of these. Most of the trailers at Hirepool are fitted with a multi-fit coupling that will fit either size tow ball, so the type of tow ball your vehicle has shouldn’t be an issue. 

How to safely secure your load

To reduce the risk of an accident or tipping it’s your legal obligation to make sure your load is safe and secure. Spread your load evenly and avoid placing heavier items at the back of the trailer. Check that your trailer’s rear overhang and load height fit NZTA legal requirements. Then, tie down any loose items to make sure everything is secure. Hirepool has a range of tools to help secure your load including nets and tarpaulin. Read our guide on how to safely load a trailer for more tips.

Once you feel comfortable about all the above, you’re ready to pick up your trailer and get loading and towing. 

Tips for safely driving with a trailer

Whether you are new to towing a trailer or have been doing it for years, it’s always good to familiarise yourself with the best practice for towing on the road. 

• The maximum open road speed for light vehicles towing a trailer is 90 kilometres per hour. 
• While cornering, be careful with your braking as there will be extra weight from your trailer.
• Allow a 4-second following distance and even more in poor weather conditions.
• Use a spotter where possible when reversing with a trailer.

Have a read of our guide on towing a trailer in New Zealand for more information on how to safely tow on the road. 

A step by step guide to hitching a trailer

There is a bit to remember when it comes to connecting a trailer. To make it easy, we’ve broken the process down into 5 easy to remember steps. Here is how to hitch a trailer. 

Step 1: Reverse the vehicle to the trailer coupler

Using a reversing camera is a safe way to reverse your vehicle so it aligns with the trailer coupler. Otherwise, if you have a passenger, ask them to guide you as you’re backing up. Once you’re lined up with the coupler, turn your vehicle off and put your handbrake on.

Step 2: Lower the trailer onto your tow ball and lock it in place

Using your jockey wheel, carefully position the trailer coupler over your vehicles’ tow ball. Then, once the coupler is in line, lower it down and onto your tow ball. Once secure, release the coupler’s handle to lock it into place. 

Step 3: Secure the trailer with the D shackle

Secure the trailer safety chain using the trailer’s D shackle. Take the time to check that it’s screwed in nice and tight. If your trailer has 2 chains, ensure that each D shackle is connected to the opposite sides of the tow ball.  

Step 4: Connect the trailer’s electrical cable 

Connect the trailer’s electrical cable to the corresponding socket on your vehicle. Then, double-check that all the connections are in working order. To do this, test both of your indicators and brakes to make sure the trailer's indicator and brake lights work.  

Step 5: Release handbrake and wheel chocks

Finally, release your trailer's handbrake, put away the jockey wheel, and remove the chocks from under the trailer’s wheels. If you are towing a braked trailer, make sure that the trailer's reverse latch has been flipped up before you drive. This will allow your trailer's internal braking mechanism to compress with your tow vehicle. Now, you’re ready to go! 

How to unhitch a trailer

When it comes to unhitching your trailer it’s essentially a reverse of the 5 steps you followed to hitch it. To make it easy, here’s a breakdown of how to unhitch a trailer. 

Step 1: Secure your vehicle and trailer into place

Start by making sure your vehicle engine is turned off and the vehicle handbrake is activated. It’s also important to check that your vehicle and trailer are on level ground. Put chocks under your trailer’s wheel and activate the trailer handbrake so that it won’t roll anywhere.

Step 2: Disconnect the D shackle and electrical cable

Disconnect the electrical cable from your vehicle and unscrew the D shackle or shackles for however many safety chains you have. 

Step 3: Engage the jockey wheel 

Put the jockey wheel into place so that you can begin to lift the trailer off from the tow ball. Make sure your feet are clear of the jockey wheel before you do this.

Step 4: Wind the jockey wheel up

Wind the jockey wheel to lift and remove the coupling. Now your trailer is unhitched from your vehicle. 

Ready to start towing?

With our easy online booking system, you can check trailer availability and book from your laptop or smart device. When you pick up your trailer, the friendly staff at your local Hirepool branch will always hitch it to your vehicle before you leave. However, you may need to hitch and unhitch it yourself depending on the job you’re doing. There are so many jobs that are made easier with a trailer. It’s an important skill to have to keep yourself and other road users safe. View our range of trailers to find the right trailer for your job.