Heavy Trailer Coupling and Uncoupling

How to couple and uncouple semitrailers and full trailers safely

$45 +GST per person ($51.75)

Heavy Trailer Coupling and Uncoupling

How to couple and uncouple semitrailers and full trailers safely

Connecting a trailer securely is the single most important part of load security. This course shows you how to couple and uncouple semitrailers and b-trains, plus full trailers with drawbars.

What will you learn?

  • How to inspect the towing and coupling components - the fifth wheel and kingpin, or the drawbar and bolt and pin coupling
  • Preparing the trailer to be connected
  • Lining up the tractor unit or truck and the trailer
  • Reversing and connecting the trailer
  • Connecting the air lines, hydraulics, electrics and EBS
  • Inspecting the coupling
  • Raising the landing gear and preparing to depart
  • Releasing the trailer from the tractor unit or truck

How much does trailer coupling damage cost?

  • A new fifth wheel can be upwards of $15,000 plus the time off the road
  • Repairing a bent drawbar can be up to $5000 plus 10 days for recertification
  • A replacement Ringfeder or V Orlandi bolt-and-pin coupling is around $2000-3000, depending on whether it also has jackknife sensors
  • Bent trailer legs can cost up to $1700 to straighten
  • Damaged sockets due to suzi coils being yanked out can be anywhere from $100-400

You can train 50 drivers for the price of a bent drawbar.

  • Why do a trailer coupling and uncoupling course?

    • If you've never been shown how to couple and uncouple a trailer correctly, you could be putting yourself and others at risk, or damaging or prematurely wearing out the equipment
    • If you've only ever coupled one type of trailer and want experience driving with other types of trailer, this is an excellent way to gain that knowledge
    • If you are about to do a class 5 licence course, this is essential knowledge
  • FAQs

    What happens when you pass the course? You get a certificate of completion.

    What training does this complement? Trailer coupling training is an excellent course to pair with Pre-trip inspection and Heavy vehicle load security.

    Is there any instructor-led training? This course is online-only, but we can help coordinate in-cab training for your drivers in selected locations.

  • Requirements

    • You will need one course licence per person taking the course - you can't use one licence for multiple drivers
    • It helps if you have access to a truck and trailer to practice
    • You will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with internet access to take the theory training

$45 +GST per person ($51.75)

 

Certificate of Completion

 

Approximately 1 hours

 

Full access for 6 months

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Course provided by
TR Driver Training

TR Driver Training specialises in heavy and light commercial and rural vehicle training nationwide. Call us on 0800 637 000

Training modules

Trailer Coupling

Heavy Trailer Coupling and Uncoupling

How to couple and uncouple semitrailers and full trailers safely

$45 +GST per person ($51.75)

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