Forum Discussion

obie311's avatar
obie311
Explorer II
Aug 05, 2019

proper hook up procedure?

No, I'm not looking for dating advice. Happily married for many years.

What's the best practice to keep the trailer from rolling backwards as you back the fifth wheel hitch under the trailer? I'm worried about stressing and jamming the front leveling legs with an aft motion. My 5'er came with a Lippert Ground Control 3.0.

Do you use rubber chocks on the trailer wheels? Can you just jerk out the break-away switch and electrically lock the trailer wheels even if the brake umbilical is not yet attached to the tow vehicle?

48 Replies

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  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2019
    mtofell1 wrote:
    Definitely use wheel chocks. The trailer brakes are nowhere near adequate for hooking up. Also, best practice is to have the 5th king pin a bit lower and have the hitch "lift" the trailer as it latches. This takes weight off the legs and helps prevent what you are talking about. 5th hitches have a bit of a ramp, presumably for this exact reason.


    Then remove the chalk after you have raised the front jacks about an inch from the ground. Then do the "bump test" by using the brake lever lock up the trailer brake, then pull the trailer forward about 6 inches to make sure you have the hitch hooked up correctly, then raise your front jacks completely up.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Aug 05, 2019
    Trailer brakes need the wheel to turn a bit to engage, so that's not viable.

    Use chocks but realistically, unless you get crazy slamming into the trailer, it's not an issue.
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Aug 05, 2019
    I use chocks and raise the trailer until the hitch is about 1/2" above the fifth wheel plate. I then back into in at it latches. I leave the front jack legs down and never have had a problem. I don't slide the hitch up the plate as it will put a strain on the jacks.
    B.O.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2019
    I use rubber chocks on my personal trailer. At work nothing is used; never any problems with them rolling.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Aug 05, 2019
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    FIRST thing ON.....WHEEL CHOCKS
    LAST thing OFF.....WHEEL CHOCKS


    Double ditto
  • dieseltruckdriv's avatar
    dieseltruckdriv
    Explorer II
    Aug 05, 2019
    Always chock the wheels. It amazes me how many people don't. The trailer brakes will not even work until the trailer moves.
  • mtofell1's avatar
    mtofell1
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2019
    Definitely use wheel chocks. The trailer brakes are nowhere near adequate for hooking up. Also, best practice is to have the 5th king pin a bit lower and have the hitch "lift" the trailer as it latches. This takes weight off the legs and helps prevent what you are talking about. 5th hitches have a bit of a ramp, presumably for this exact reason.

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