Trailer Hitching Guide for New RV Owners

Many new RV owners find themselves in a situation where they have to hitch their trailer to the vehicle without any help. It can be challenging but it’s not something that you should be afraid of. Backing up to the trailer, attaching the coupler, fastening the safety chains, and putting in the wiring harness are all steps in the process of connecting your trailer to your car. It requires patience and proper planning as well as meticulous execution. Here is a guide that would help any new RV owners safely and securely hitch the trailer alone.

1. Make sure you're in a safe, secure area with nothing blocking your vision or in the path of your car and trailer.
2. Set up your car in a straight line with the trailer. When backing up to the coupler, having a straight shot makes it much easier than attempting to turn and adjust your position as you back up. A backup camera also helps with this step.
3. Unlock the coupler locking device on the trailer hitch and adjust the height. Check to see whether the coupler is open, since clamps that haven't been serviced or used in a long time might jam.
4. Use a reliable jack like the ones from the Trailer Valet Blackout Collection to raise or lower the front of the trailer.
5. Back up to the coupler the rest of the way, going extra carefully and with utmost caution till the coupler and the trailer hitch ball are aligned.
6. Once you are perfectly aligned with the trailer, place the vehicle in park mode and engage the emergency brake. Make sure the latch on the coupler is unlocked before doing anything else. Afterward, use the trailer jack to lower the trailer so the coupler rests on the ball.
7. Once everything is in position, latch the coupler and make sure it is securely fastened. Using a coupler pin or lock, keep the coupler in the closed position and double check if the hitch pin holding your ball mount in the hitch receiver is secured in place.
8. Connect your tow vehicle to the breakaway cable or safety chains. If the chains under the trailer coupler are intersected, the coupler will fall onto the chains rather than directly onto the ground if it breaks away. Also allow enough slack in the chains while making tight turns.
9. Check to determine that the trailer light wiring system connects properly to your tow vehicle. With the tow vehicle's headlights on, check the left and right turn signals, hazards, brake and reverse lights.

The Easiest Way to Hitch Your Trailer To Your Vehicle

Using the Trailer Valet RVR5 significantly simplifies the process of hooking up a trailer to the tow vehicle. The RVR5 is a remote-controlled RV and trailer dolly with a 5,500-pound towing capability. It was created to make relocating your trailer a breeze and allows you to move the trailer without assistance and conveniently position it for hitching. With the RVR5 you can be done with the first 7 steps in a couple of minutes and proceed to hooking up the cables and safety chains. Attaching your trailer to your car on your own can be time-consuming, but following these steps can alleviate some of the stress before your vacation begins. You'll be hitching with ease in no time if you practice and follow these simple tips. Related: Types of trailer hitch couplers