How to Couple and uncouple a trailer safely. 

Brakes not breaks

Hi, With modern tractor units, you can drop the suspension to get under the trailer without damaging the mudguards and raise it back up again, taking the legs off of the floor as it shows in the video, allowing the 5th wheel to be in complete contact with the underside of the trailer. This ensures that you never miss the pin. In the 'Good Old Days' before hydraulic suspension, it was advisable to drop the trailer with the legs a couple of inches off of the floor to ensure that when you picked up the trailer you didn't miss the pin. Thank god for hydraulic suspension. You don't need to do this anymore, nor do you need to rub away the top of the mudguard in the process.

Just be careful if you move forward with the trailer legs down, as you will damage the trailer legs. Other than that, I would say you're doing pretty good.

@@deepfiix Thanks for the answer. I've actually started to drive forward just a couple of centimeters before lowering the truck, no tension this time. I also lowering the legs until they touch the ground and then just raise them a centimeter or so, so that I gently lowering the trailer on the legs

Absolutely. When I show this video on CPC courses, I say what have I done wrong. No gloves, engine running. Q) What is the problem with having the engine running? A) could possibly cause a short when connecting the electrical cables B) someone could jump into the vehicle and attempt to drive off C) what would happen if you were to fall and call for help and your voice wasn’t heard above the noise of the engine D) waste of fuel E) Additional noxious gas given off into an already polluted atmosphere. please feel free to add other problems associated with leaving the engine running This becomes a really good talking point for the class or the trainee. Turn a negative into a positive.

You are absolutely correct. See answer to @gwandao

The trailer parking brake is applied on each and every occassion that the trailer is dropped. This is the first action that the driver takes. It shows this action clearly on the video and also in the written instructions that follow the clearly shown action. The written version also appears: 'You must always apply your trailer brake, even if the trailer has an automatic brake, to be on the safe side'. You would be surprised at how many drivers think that the parking brake is automatic on all trailers, so don't bother to put it on.

Are we watching the same video. The onus is on applying trailer brakes. Even to the point that when the brakes are taken off when coupling is completed, stay with you hand on the brake for a minute, incase the unit and trailer attempt to roll away. It is imperative that trailer brakes are ALWAYS applied. There is even a written statement that flashes up to that effect 😂