Hitching, lights and brakes

By the end of this topic you can

• You can hitch and unhitch a trailer in a safe order.
• You can attach safety chains correctly for the trailer's weight.
• You can say which trailers need brakes and a breakaway system.
• You can check that all trailer lights work before every trip.
• You can decide when extra towing mirrors are needed.

What you need to know and understand

• The coupling must lock positively and must be able to move freely at any angle the trailer reaches.
• In NSW, trailers up to 2,500 kg loaded need at least one safety chain. Heavier trailers need two chains, crossed under the drawbar.
• Safety chains must be as short as practical and attached to the towing vehicle, so the drawbar cannot hit the ground if the coupling fails.
• In NSW, brakes are not required on trailers with a GTM of 750 kg or less.
• In NSW, trailers with a GTM from 751 to 2,000 kg need brakes on both wheels of at least one axle. Over 2,000 kg, brakes are needed on all wheels, plus a breakaway system that applies them automatically if the trailer comes off.
• Trailer brakes must be able to be operated from the driver's seat.
• Trailer lights must work: tail lights, brake lights, indicators and number plate light. Registered trailers need their own rear number plate.
• If the trailer blocks your view behind, you may need extended towing mirrors.

Hitching up step by step

1. Park on level ground and apply the trailer's handbrake if it has one.
2. Reverse the car slowly with a helper guiding, until the towball sits under the coupling.
3. Lower the coupling onto the ball using the jockey wheel and engage the lock. Check it by lifting gently.
4. Wind the jockey wheel fully up and stow it securely.
5. Attach the safety chains, crossed if there are two, using rated shackles.
6. Plug in the lighting lead and any brake controller lead, and connect the breakaway cable if fitted.
7. Release the trailer handbrake and test all lights with a helper.

Trailer brakes by weight

Brake rules depend on the trailer's mass. A small box trailer often has no brakes. A larger trailer between 751 and 2,000 kg GTM, such as a medium boat trailer, needs brakes on at least one axle. Most caravans weigh more than 2,000 kg and need brakes on all wheels and a breakaway system. Electric brakes need a brake controller in the car, which the driver can adjust from the seat. These figures are the NSW rules and match the national vehicle standards most states use, but check your state if in doubt.

Lights, plates and mirrors

Your trailer must show working tail lights, brake lights and indicators, and its number plate must be readable and lit at night. The car's own number plate and lights must not be hidden by the towbar when no trailer is attached, so remove a tongue that blocks them.

Wide caravans can block the view in standard mirrors. Fit extended towing mirrors so you can see along both sides of the trailer.

Unhitching safely

Reverse the order. On level ground, chock the trailer wheels and apply its handbrake before disconnecting anything. Lower the jockey wheel, then disconnect the leads, the breakaway cable and the chains, and finally release the coupling.

Common mistakes

• Driving off with the jockey wheel still down. Always wind it up and lock it.
• Using chains that are too long, so the drawbar can hit the road if the coupling fails.
• Forgetting to test the trailer lights after plugging in.
• Towing a caravan with no breakaway cable connected.
• Unhitching on a slope without chocking the wheels.

Test yourself: Hitching, lights and brakes

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.