A Beginner's Guide To Hitching A Travel Trailer

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Learning to hitch a travel trailer is an essential part of ownership. Otherwise, your RV would never be able to leave your property! New owners may be apprehensive about the process, but rest assured that it is easier than it seems.

We created the following guide to travel trailer hitching below. There are plenty of steps, but most of them are quite simple. If you have any questions or want to shop travel trailers for sale in Utah, visit Airstream of Utah. We are a travel trailer shop based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and we proudly serve those in Park City and Provo as well.

Before You Begin

Start by glancing over the travel trailer's owner's manual. Sure, it's not the most interesting read in the world. But it may contain tips specific to your given model. After all, who knows the RV better than the manufacturer?

Gather The Supplies

The first step in a successful travel trailer hitching process is to gather up supplies.

WD-40 to lubricate the jack on the front of the travel trailer.
A grease gun with high friction grease to lubricate the hitch ball and ball receiver.
An apron or towel to wipe any lubrication off of your hands.
Rubber blocks that offer great traction between the trailer jack and the ground, which helps reduce the chance of the travel trailer slipping off of the blocks.

Prepare The Travel Trailer For The Trip

The next step is to ensure the RV is ready for travel.

Turn off the refrigerator, air conditioning, and any other appliances.
Check that all utilities are disconnected.
Close all windows, hatches, and vents.
Secure the awning.
Check that any antennas are put away.
Check that any loose items inside the RV are secure.
Close and lock the trailer door.
Raise the steps.
Raise the stabilizers.
Double check that the wheel chocks are positioned well and close up against the wheels.

Prepare The Trailer Connection

Next, get the trailer ready for connection:

If there is a hitch lock, remove it.
Place the receiver latch into the vertical open position.
Raise the front of the travel trailer using the jack.
While the jack piston is extended, lubricate it.

If the travel trailer shifts while it's being raised, double check the wheel chocks. When they are securely in place, they keep the RV from moving around during the hitching process.

Connect The Hitch To The Tow Vehicle

Travel trailer hitches are heavy. Use these tips to make the lifting process easier:

Store the hitch in a tub with handles, which makes it easier to carry.
Lift with your knees, not your back.
Clear away any grease from the hitch where you plan on grabbing it. This helps prevent the hitch from slipping out of your grip.
Wear shoes with toe protection, just in case.

When you are ready to get the hitch connected:

Gently put the hitch into position and slide it into the hitch receiver.
Insert and secure the hitch locking pin. Consider using a pin with a lock on it, which helps ensure it is fully secure.
Use the grease gun to add a little grease on the hitch ball. If necessary, clean the hitch ball of any debris first before applying the grease.

Connect The Tow Vehicle To The Travel Trailer

Once the travel trailer is in position and the hitch is connected, the next step is to connect the tow vehicle.

If possible, recruit a spotter to help you with this step. It's possible to do on your own, but usually will be harder and take longer.

When you are ready to connect the tow vehicle:

Back up the tow vehicle and try to be as aligned with the travel trailer as possible. If the tow vehicle is at an angle, the hitching process will be tougher.
Once the tow vehicle is positioned, engage the safety brake. This helps prevent the tow vehicle from moving during the next steps.
Attach the sway control bars and/or weight distribution bars. These help even the weight between the travel trailer and tow vehicle. They also help reduce trailer sway.
Once the sway bars are on, lower the travel trailer until the hitch ball is inside the ball receiver.
Flip the receiver latch closed, which locks the ball in place.
Raise the jack up and remove the jack blocks.
Double check that there is the right amount of tension on the sway bars.
Connect the brakes and lights.
Connect the safety chains. They are at the right length when they are hanging a bit loose, but not reaching the ground.
Remove the wheel chocks.

Do a final test of the brake lights, running lights, and turn signals. Then you are ready to hit the road!

We hope you found this hitching guide useful. For more tips or to shop travel trailers for sale in Utah, head over to Airstream of Utah. Our friendly staff is happy to assist with whatever you need, from answering questions to suggesting models to repairing your RV. We are a family owned travel trailer shop located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We also proudly serve those in Park City and Provo, Utah.