Hauling a large load can be stressful, and you want to make sure you hook your trailer up as well as possible: but how can you be sure you’re not just wasting extra time that you shouldn’t be?
These are the most important things to consider when hooking up a trailer to a truck and why it’s such a good idea to know what you’re doing before hauling.
For Pickups and Small Trucks
If you’re adding a trailer onto a small truck or pickup: it shouldn’t take more than a minute or two to add. This is especially true if you can quickly back up to the trailer accurately. In some small trailers, you can simply lift the tongue by hand and connect it in a matter of moments.
For Semi-Trucks
The average semi-truck needs a little extra work to hitch correctly. This can range from two to three minutes to up to twenty, depending on the trailer and hitch style. The more experienced you get at working with trailers, and the better you get at backing up and coupling with them, the faster this process will become.
What Type of Hitch Do You Use?
There are countless types of hitches for trucks, each with different capabilities and needs based on the size of your vehicle and what you’re towing. Instead of fighting to get your trailer loaded, consider if you’re using the right type of hitch.
The main five types of hitches are bumper, weight distribution, fifth wheel, gooseneck, and pintle. Each of these has its own uses and its own moments where they shine: but generally, it’s important to look up what works best with your vehicle and the hitch it needs.
How Large is the Load?
How large is the load you’re hauling? The larger the load, the longer it might take to hook up, depending on how movable it is and if you’re able to hitch it correctly. Using a good pintle hitch will ensure that you don’t have to struggle as much and will give you the chance to quickly hook up the trailer, lock it into place, and then get on the road.
If you have a lighter load, this can also be an issue because it might be harder to direct in traffic, depending on what vehicle you’re towing. It’s important to get to know what your vehicle is capable of and if there are any precautions, you should take based on the weight and size of your load.
Things to Consider
Regardless of where you’re towing, every state has slightly different rules of how long and how large your trailer can be based on your type of vehicle. Although most hauling companies are in the know and stay within range, if you’re hauling something for the first time, you might not be aware of these rules. Take your time
Hooking Up a Trailer Isn’t Hard!
Whether this is your first truck and you’re struggling to hook it up, or you’re making sure you’re spending the right amount of time on it: hooking up a trailer to a truck shouldn’t take long at all. Reconsider how you’re doing it if it takes more than these amounts of time.
