C+E | Class 1 - How to Couple and Uncouple a trailer! 

Having completed 46 years of truck driving. One thing I would like to add to your checks. Is to shine a torch across the 5th wheel pin, to see that the bar has come across. It's stood me in good stead for all those years and it takes a second to do.

I was told to pull forward a foot, then lower air suspension before pulling away.

Passed my Class 2, 2 years ago thanks to your videos. I’ll be doing my Class 1 in October/November so watching these videos early so I know what to expect.

Its good practice to drop the air out the unit when dropping a trailer. Ive damaged mudguards by not doing it. When picking up a trailer you should also drop the air out the unit then reverse under stopping short of the kingpin.. raise unit suspension all the way then back into kingpin (that way no damage to legs when doing tugtest and no grease all over) all this should be on test

Had already passed my test and have beeb driving class 2s for the past 6 months, however I'm going into a class 1 soon and the last time i coupled a trailer was for my test so I'm just refreshing my memory 😂 Thank you guys

No idea why I'm watching this - I work on the railway. But what amazes me and I never really thought about it but there's more to hooking up one of these things than coupling together two modern trains.... This is more like coupling a loco to wagons or old carriages with buffers, chains, air and power lines. Fascinating.

Got my reverse training tomorrow so im watching this for my personal knowledge. 10x for posting it. !

I’m an American trucker. The procedures are basically the same. While the mechanisms like airline couplers in European trucks are much more complicated than American trucks. Excellent work!

Back when i passed my class1 in 2009, you had to learn and sit your test with a manual gearbox. I was asked to do some yard shunting soon after passing my test and struggled a little with the auto box having been used to using a clutch pedal! Needless to say, i put the vehicle in D rather than crawler mode and took off from under the trailer like a greyhound gong after a mechanical rabbit😂

About to start my C+E, these videos are helping me understand aspects. Love the clear calm delivery keep up the good work 👍

Now try that with a fridge trailer! And that must be the first time I have ever seen a driver not using gloves. All trailer power and air lines start of nice and clean but a few really tight turns and a bit of screwing around, those lines can get covered in grease.

I was shown first number plate ,park brake ,legs, sussies then pin, pull forward slightly then lower the air suspension then do in reverse and still do it to this day never failed me in 15 years.

Nice video, but in America we always look to make sure the locking jaws are secure around the kingpin, and we always leave the landing gear handle loose after cranking gear down, that way it doesn't flip up and get jamed under the trailer rail when the next guy hooks it.

Excellent video.. used as a refresher before job interview

Great video, I've been passed 3 months now but never really had to do it at work. Have got to do it this week and your video help remind me on the process 👍

Thanks for all these videos guys, putting in for my Class two once the provisional is through I think I might even try for the Class one now because of these helpful videos

Done my cpc infeb 2020.. then covid, i drove 7,5 4 10 yrs.. really good video , no messin....alot to know . , they know .

Not taking my test but going back on to the Arctic’s, this videos was helpful and reminded me of a few things… but seriously wear gloves lol, don’t be that guy that leaves the steering wheel disgusting because you can be bothered to wear gloves 👍🏻👍🏻

Excellent work! Thanks guys

Am in joying your teaching 🎉🎉

I like to say thank you both you doing great job You doing well I like to what you doing Actually doing so much safety showing

You said take your time, but the 3a part was all timed, so you have to know , no faffing about ! I passed btw so thanks for the clips.

gloves , think of the next driver who has to clean the steering wheel AFTER you have filthified it you dirty boy

Personally I put the legs all the way down without the inch gap and use the units air suspension to lower the unit to get out and then on the recouping go in with a lowered suspension and then jack it up to the highest and slide onto the kingpin. We all have our own ways..

im seriously looking into driving HGVS. your videos are great.

Massive help, the reversing video and this is really helpful, it was my first day training today the driving part is a piece of cake, was worried about reversing however I had a go today and went in first time I suppose it all comes with practice, got my test on Thursday, training 4h everyday until then and 2h before the test, hopefully a pass.

Huge difference compared to here in France, we do more the exterior checking on both vehicles when they are uncoupled to be sure that it's compatible and we prefer to reverse under the trailer lift up the suspension until the fith wheel gets contact then reverse into the pin and then try to pull the trailer, and do all the coupling for electric cables and air cables then we remove the park brake and a little step thing to put on the last axle of the trailer then we lift up the legs and we're good to go. And we have multiple themes to checks on the vehicles for like the vehicle documents, lights and accessories, glass and mirrors and liquids, wheels and suspension check along with steering, then charateristics of the vehicle like the brand of the tractor unit lenght between the front fo the tractor unit and the front axle along with the distance between the rear axle of the trailer and the rear, then Cargo check.

Hy. It is safer to lower the truck axle, when disconnecting, before pulling away ... risk damaging the mud flaps. My steps when disconnecting are 1 trailer brake and king pin 2 pull out one meter and legs down 3 suzies 4 lower the truck axle and pull out. I am over 100kg and the suzies are in central position ... no way connecting them with the king pin on.

Very Friendly and Educated staff. A Great training company.. Keep up the Good Work.

You teach driving very well and the way should by but others like enterprises Manchester are very bad and rough people working there didn’t like a bit of driving there trucks and trucks are over 10 years old

If someone forgets one of the things in this process, is this a major fail?

Great vid lads . Thanks for this 👍

Took my test yesterday. Forgot to take the 2 shunts when recoupling failed on that

it is very good to clean all tires with your hands and then transfer the dirt to the steering wheel.

instead of hugging the tires sides, they should get under the trailer and visually check fifth wheel cross bar and do two tug test after coupling....

Absolutely excellent

Very nice video to pass the test, but it might be beneficial for future professionals to make a video explaining how it actually works in real life as there are many important points missing.

Thanks for that.

Explained evrthing very nicely

Why was the number plates removed ? Is this a UK requirement ? To stop theft of the trailer ?

One thing that I would say is when releasing the trailer break at the end of your checks is, that you wait for 5 seconds with your hand covering the break so you can re-apply it if the vehicle starts to move due to the cab break accidentally disengaging from the on position.

Past my Class 1 today! And this video helped with that! So thank you .

Is it just me or does Paul low key look like Prince William? 😂😂

hello, I'm Jack Moniteur expert at Mercedes benz TruckTraining. i respect your profession as a trainer but the trainer forgot to put gloves for the check of flexible connections!? … or maybe in England you don’t have to?

All the trailers I encountered had a ratchet handbrake Undoing the lines put the brakes on/ratchet just added security. By coupling first you be able to check the lights as well in one go.

What i would say about this video clip is that the trailer lights at the back looked a bit dirty.

Hi When checking the rear wheel on the drivers side in the video there is what i believe to be a stone within the tread of the tire, or could be a nail still in the tire, could this have been picked up during the test?

Great video. However I do have a question. Doesnt not lowering the trailor legs all the way down prevent the grease from the fifth wheele coming off?

Dropping air is must when you release trailer 🤔

em interesting I have never been taught to leave an Inch for the legs. In all the per drive assessments I have done for different firms. But it makes good sense. Some Firms want you to reverse stop lower the unit reverse till King pin is under, raise unit continue to reverse lock in the pin. and do the same when de coupling but never had they said about the inch but it makes sense. tys

What are the other two hose connections for, apart from the brake and electrical hoses. I drove trucks in Australia and they only other connections we had were hydraulics if you were pulling a tipper. R

Great video, I will watch this even more so it sticks in my head Doing class 1 December so this will help thanks guys.

Started my c+E this morning. Mastered the reverse manoeuvre ready for the test tomorrow. Using your videos as content to build the confidence up. Thank you!!

Years ago when doing my HGV 1 we were taught to disconnect the lines nearer to oneself so not leaning over and perhaps getting gunge on your clothes. When connecting start with the furthest one.

You guys are great. Wish you were closer to Birmingham as I really wanna do my C and CE with you. Bit of a longshot but any Birmingham training centers you are familiar with and can recommend? Cheers. Keep up the good work!

Do you get any/many people passing the test for fun? I'm a software developer but I'm thinking of getting the C+E license one day just to have that experience. Who knows, maybe one day I get bored of writing code and decide to head out in a truck :D

Excellent vid.. yes indeed, At our work the trailers can be full, /heavy, so when u un hitch i lower it down slowly with the air suspension,, onto the legs... the trailer rubbing plate, can hit the top of the rear wings.. !

Trailer brake 1st ?. Safety first.

I'm still new to this process. Can I ask. Are you supposed to do two tugs after reversing back into the trailer to check its connected before you alight from the cab to do the rest of the procedure?

Make sure that when you connect the emergency line the trailer doesn't move😅

Do you have to turn on the ignition to do the lights check? Thanks

I’d love to know how poor old Keith is meant to check for cracks and fractures on the fifth wheel pin and plate without putting his boiler suit on spending a good hour cleaning the shit and grease off? I’m all up for making the roads safer but there’s things which as a driver you can never really check in the real world..like the backs of tyres and suspension components…then when something does fail the driver gets the blame when in reality they had know chance of seeing the problem. Just teach drivers how to drive wagons and routine checks! I’ve not driven for about 10 years and I’ve just phoned my old company I worked for about some work when I’m free, I don’t think I’ll be bothering now as the jobs just not worth taking the risk and heavy fines! Plenty of training companies but not enough drivers nowadays!!!!

Thanks for the video got my class 1 test Thursday morning. Watching your videos in the evenings are helping me keep all the info in my head

Where’s your gloves? Nice dirty steering wheel for everyone now. 🤔

Cheers, just watching a few of your videos as a refresher as Im driving for work for the very first time on monday 😬

Can I ask why you do you not check the trailor brake is on before you hitch up.

Hats of to guys Thank you 😊

I have my off road tomorrow but I've been taught to always connect and disconnected the red suzie first, then yellow then whatever order next. is thus correct?

Excellent videos Paul and Keith really helped passed C+E yesterday thanks.

Always used to get told to go by the acronym B.L.A.C.K , brakes , legs, auxiliaries (suzies) clip and kingpin then reverse order to recouple…how would this affect the test scenario as you did the suzies before the legs on recouple?

Best video 0:21 0:03

Thanks for the demonstration.....really appreciated your efforts team

When doing the light check would you not check the side marker lights r working as well?

Good Evening Team, ❤️🙏👍👌⭐💯🇮🇳

Does the trailer have backing lights?

Hi. Do you not have taps on your air lines ? I drive in Australia and all the euro trucks I've seen have taps. Most American trucks don't have taps because they have 2 separate parking breaks 1 for truck and 1 for the trailer. Also I understand what your trying to do with leaving an inch under the landing gear (legs) but with a loaded trailer it could damage the guards unhooking.

good expaleination thankz

Safely hitching and unhitching is the most important thing you will do during the working day, a guy I worked with was killed by his own truck because he cut corners, never cut corners, have a routine and stick to it, if someone starts talking to you whilst doing your routine tell them to fuck off and start again, I told my transport manager to fuck off when he stated talking to me whilst hitching up. Only thing I disliked about this video was the guy not wearing gloves whilst doing this, absolutely hate taking over a truck from a guy who doesn’t wear gloves so any oil or dirt that’s on the trailer or unit ends up on the steering wheel then your hands. Wear gloves outside the cab, take them off before getting in the cab, even if you don’t give a fuck about the next guy oil and grease are carcinogenic, where do you think all that oil and grease goes when you next go for a pee?

Watched 4 times Tomorrow is test

Thank you so much for doing these videos! I have my medical booked next weekend and trying to do some forward reading/watching to know what to expect. Thanks for all the info :)

Thanks guys. I’m just about to start my HGV journey. These videos are so helpful. Thanks again

Perfect videos guys, u couldnt of made that any better, has to b the best one ive watched on here.. got my lessons and test next week. The nerves are slowly setting in. Need / really want to pass.

Maybe a silly question but how do you check your rear lights if you are on your own?

This is the exact thing you do on your C+E test guys remember the acronym B = brake (trailer brake) L= legs, wind up the legs A = airlines, disconnect K= kingpin, make sure it’s open And you won’t go far wrong 👍

Always great information really gud way of teaching thank you

How much coast/fees for track driver course?????

Lights and lenses check when unit not connected OMG And you didn’t check front lights pinky and perky

I find the videos of the NDC quite interesting especially as it is nice to see how it's done in Britain. Can anybody tell me what the idea of removing the number plate of the trailer and attaching it to the new trailer is about? Can it be that the lorry has a set of three identical number plates where two are for the lorry and another one for the trailer? TIA!

I would recomend to help the students out to remember which order to do things in by using the work BLACK B-BRAKE L-LEGS A-auxiliary C-clip K-kingpin

Yep, id do the trailer in that order if i had a class one licence too, because i have seen a lorry driver get out the truck, pull the release handle, get distracted with someone shoving paperwork in his face, where he then got back into the truck to fill it in, forgot that he hadn't wound the legs down or released the suzie lines, so he drove forward, the trailer smashed into the floor, ripped the suzie lines out the back of the tractor unit, disabled both tractor and trailer in one hit 🤦‍♂️ So yeah, the release handle is the last thing i would touch These days, is there a switch in the cab guys to turn the brake lights on without pressing the brake pedal? Just wondering because if your on your own, and have nobody to lend a foot, and your not parked against a reflective surface, how would you check the brake lights are working? P.s., i want to be a class one driver, i got my provisional for c and c1, done my medical, got my tacho card, passed my multiple choice, failed my hazard perception, tried for weeks to get in touch with a few different hgv driving schools kn my area, but either there really busy or not that bothered about having new students 🤷‍♂️ so im not having the best of luck at the moment I been driving 20 years now on 3.5 tons, in fact the only vehicle i have on the road at the moment is a transit pickup, i had vans since a year after passing my driving test, so 19 years odd, i have towed trailers a lot, and had a job driving 7.5 tonners on private land, so i got some experience

that`s how to do it , useing the run up ramps to lift the trailer NONE OF THE SHITE LIFTING AND DROPING THE AIR SUSPENTION TO LIFT THE TRAILER . i was tought if you carnt lift it you dont shift it . no air suspention back in the day

Kingpin,clip, airlines,Legs, Brake,No plate------->>>> Dropping, Brake, Legs, airlines,clip, king pin-------No plate.

Good mnemonic I was taught was BLACK -Brakes (Trailer) -Leg -Air Lines -Clip -Kingpin and do it backwards for coupling a trailer

Use gloves, I am a Canada USA truck driving instructor, can we transfer into uk driving license

Did you know that for an articulated LGV; the category is CE and not C+E... C is for rigid LGV and E is the trailer, CE is for a tractive unit and load carrying trailer combined...

Two little tips to remember. 1-When un-coupling and winding the legs down stand facing to the rear of the trailer..When re-coupling up and winding the legs up stand facing to the front of the trailer.It makes winding so much easier. 2-The ten second rule.When you press the trailer brake button in to release the brakes wait for ten seconds before walking away.God forbid you've forgotten to apply the handbrake on the tractor unit.

Another great video guys. Im itching to do my class one but being put off and worried about failing before ive even started.. ive been a class 2 driver for about 8 years and feel nows the time to do my class one

hello, I'm Jack Moniteur expert at Mercedes benz TruckTraining. i respect your profession as a trainer but the trainer forgot to put gloves for the check of flexible connections!? … or maybe in England you don’t have to?

Couple things. You didn't lower suspension when you drove out and you whacked the mud guards. Do that 365 times a year and they are going to be.damaged, when you went under to attach you didn't raise the suspension and the legs were barely off the ground. Raise the suspension up so legs are 12 inches off the ground. No gloves either. Did you eat your sandwiches with those hands? I have coupled and uncoupled approx 5000 times, easily 500 times a year minimum if work 5 days a week and doing to twice a day and just the night I was putting a trailer on the bay and dropping it and I pulled off and something in my head said " did I put those legs down?" I got out and I hadn't! I was nearly out as well. Another few inches and I would have dropped the trailer. First time. So lesson is no matter how many times you done it you can easily slip up. It's good to have a reset like that for me. Won't forget again.

Started my class 1 training today. 5 years on class 2, ADR and HIAB but still nervous and knowing it’s a whole different animal!