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Travel Trailer Hitching 101

Jun. 28 2023 Lifestyle By Camp Site RV

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Before you can get out and enjoy an RV vacation, you'll need to know how to properly hitch and unhitch your travel trailer.

Here at Camp Site RV, we want to help simplify the more technical aspects of the camper experience. We created the following beginner's guide to travel trailer hitching to make your next excursion easier!

Hitching

The Preparation

If you have a hitch lock, go ahead and remove it now.

Next, put the receiver latch into a vertical open position.

Next, lift the front end of the travel trailer with a jack. Then, lubricate the jack piston while it is extended.

Connecting the Hitch

Slide the hitch into the receiver. Then, insert and secure the locking pin. Double check that it's secure!

Next, lower the travel trailer so that the hitch ball goes into the receiver. Close the receiver latch.

Then, connect the brake and light cable. This ensures that your tow vehicle can send signals to the travel trailer during the drive.

Finally, secure the safety chains. If the hitch ball falls out of the receiver, the safety chains can act as backup security.

Unhitching

The Preparation

Start by placing wheel chocks into place on the sides of your travel trailer. You'll want your RV to be secure and on level ground before using your jack.

Next, use the jack to slightly raise your travel trailer. Then, disconnect the brake cable, safety chains, and emergency brake controller.

Then, lower the travel trailer. You'll want it positioned so that it puts some of the weight on your tow vehicle. Once that's in place, you can lift the ball receiver latch up and release the hitch ball. Using the jack, lift your travel trailer up and off of the hitch ball.

With the travel trailer removed, you can drive your tow vehicle forward and out of the way. Use the jack to level your travel trailer, which will make for a more comfortable time inside the RV at the campground. 

Are you in the market for a travel trailer? Camp Site RV carries a variety of models at our dealership in Cresco, Iowa. We also proudly serve those in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Rochester, Minnesota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin.