Uncoupling your cargo trailer
Follow these steps to uncouple your ball hitch trailer from the tow vehicle
- Make sure trailer is parked on a flat surface.
- Block trailer tires to prevent the trailer from rolling, before jacking up the trailer.
- Disconnect the electrical connector.
- Disconnect the brake-away break switch lanyard.
- Disconnect the safety chains from the tow vehicle.
- Unlock the coupler and open it.
- Before extending the jack, make certain the ground surface below the jack pad will support the tongue load. Do not use the jack on bear ground. Make sure to place a piece of wood or metal underneath the jack pad.
- Rotate the jack handle (or crank) clockwise. This will slowly extend the jack and transfer the weight of the trailer tongue to the jack.
Trailer with gooseneck coupler and drop-leg jack
A gooseneck coupler on the trailer connects to a gooseneck hitch that you must have installed in the bed of the tow vehicle, normally in the center. This system of coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle permits the tow vehicle to turn to sharper angles than are possible with a bumper hitch system. A gooseneck coupler consists of a tube in an inverted “U” shape and a gooseneck ball receiver. “Trailer with a gooseneck hitch coupler” figure shows a trailer with a gooseneck coupler.
Contact your trailer dealer for more information on coupling and uncoupling your cargo trailer.
Be sure and read our cargo trailer towing check list .