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.

Why do a trailer coupling and uncoupling online 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

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.

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

Set up is free whether you are purchasing one course licence or a hundred course licences.