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Heavy Trailer Coupling and Uncoupling
How to couple and uncouple semitrailers and full trailers safely
$45 +GST per person ($51.75)
4 x $11.25
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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Languages available
- Video subtitles/captions are available for all videos - see above for the list. Choose the language in the video.
- Questions: 76 languages are available - check the language option at the top of the page (note that written answers must be in English).
- Question audio: play audio of every question in English
- Documents: English
- Some captions are AI-generated and, as such, may have occasional errors.
$45 +GST per person ($51.75)
4 x $11.25
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
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The essential components of trailer coupling systems, including the fifth wheel types and heights, kingpin specifications, and suzi coil connections, whilst emphasising proper maintenance requirements for safe coupling procedures.9 minutes
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Step-by-step guidance for safely coupling a trailer to a truck, from initial positioning and height adjustment through to connecting the suzi leads and performing final safety checks, including preventing common coupling errors.10 minutes
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How to safely uncouple a trailer from a truck, including proper cable disconnection, landing leg deployment, and final positioning considerations to ensure the trailer is left securely parked.7 minutes
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The main types of full trailer couplings, explaining drawbar components and the critical importance of matching towing eye sizes to coupling pins.4 minutes
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The complete process of coupling a full trailer to a truck, from initial height adjustment through to final safety verification, plus the four critical checks required to confirm proper coupling.6 minutes
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This module guides drivers through the safe uncoupling of a full trailer, with particular emphasis on managing the heavy drawbar and ensuring the trailer is left securely parked with properly stored connections.2 minutes
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Specifics for uncoupling a combination vehicle with two fifth wheels3 minutes
Heavy Trailer Coupling and Uncoupling
How to couple and uncouple semitrailers and full trailers safely
$45 +GST per person ($51.75)
4 x $11.25