How to hook up a trailer
First time towing? Hooking up takes about 10 minutes once you know the steps. Here's exactly how to do it on any OTG trailer.
Back up to the trailer
Back straight toward the trailer until your hitch ball is right under the coupler. Go slow and have someone guide you if you can. If you're a few inches off, crank the jack up and nudge it, don't force it.
Back up
Back up
Lower the coupler onto the ball
Crank the tongue jack down until the coupler sits all the way over the ball. Keep cranking until the jack foot lifts off the ground, then raise the jack fully so it won't drag. Car haulers and the deckover need a 2-5/16" ball. Utility trailers need a 2" ball.
Lower coupler
Lower coupler
Latch and pin the coupler
Close the coupler latch and put the pin or lock through it. Then try to lift the tongue with the jack. If the back of your truck rises with it, you're locked on. If the coupler pops off, it wasn't seated. Start over.
Latch and pin
Latch and pin
Cross the safety chains
Cross the two chains under the tongue in an X and hook them to the loops on your hitch. The X catches the tongue if it ever comes off the ball. Leave a little slack for turns, but not so much they drag on the road.
Safety chains
Safety chains
Plug in and test the lights
Car haulers and the deckover use a round 7-way plug, which also runs the trailer brakes. Utility trailers use a flat 4-way plug. Plug in, then check running lights, brake lights and both turn signals before you pull out.
Before you drive
Two minutes before you pull out. Walk around the trailer once and check these.
Coupler latched and pinned
Latch closed, pin in, and the jack cranked all the way up.
Chains crossed and hooked
Crossed in an X, hooked to your hitch, and not touching the ground.
Lights and brakes working
Turn signals, brake lights and running lights all work. On car haulers, roll forward slowly and squeeze your brake controller to feel the trailer brakes grab.
Common hookup mistakes
Almost every hookup problem comes down to one of these. They're all easy to catch before you leave.
Wrong ball size (2" on a 2-5/16" coupler)
Latch closed but coupler not seated on the ball
Jack left down or chains dragging
Questions
The stuff first-time renters ask us most.
2-5/16" for the car haulers and deckover. 2" for the utility trailers. The size is stamped on top of your ball. Don't have the right one? Add a hitch to your booking for $10.
Latch closed, pin in, then crank the jack up. If the back of your truck lifts a little with the tongue, the coupler is locked on the ball.
Utility trailers tow behind most SUVs and trucks. The 20' car haulers work with most half-ton trucks when hauling a car. For equipment on the deckover, a 3/4-ton or bigger is recommended. Your tow rating is in the owner's manual or on the driver's door sticker.
Unplug and plug back in firmly, then check your truck's trailer fuse. If you have a 4-way truck and a 7-way trailer (or the other way around), you'll need an adapter. Still nothing? Call us at 775-487-5144 before you drive.
For the car haulers and deckover, yes. They have electric brakes, and the controller in your truck runs them. Most trucks with a factory tow package have one built in. Utility trailers don't need one.
Still have questions?
Call or text us at 775-487-5144. We'll walk you through it.