Practical Guide: How to Hook Up Gooseneck Trailer?

Gooseneck trailers are a popular choice among those who frequently haul large loads. But there are many people who don’t have detailed information about how they can hook up the gooseneck trailer perfectly without the assistance of any professional.

I know that hooking up a gooseneck trailer can be a tricky process, especially for those who are not experienced. But knowing it properly is very important because when you make a mistake in hooking up the trailer, then chances are high that you’ll face insatiable and trailer sway while dring the vehicle.

Here is how you can hook up a gooseneck trailer with simple steps: 

1. Bring the trailer to the correct position
2. Raise the trailer above the height towing vehicle
3. Align the coupler and lower the trailer
4. Attach the safety chains
5. Check Brake Cables, Safety Chains Electrical Connections
6. Perform complete safety inspection

It was an introduction, I will go over all the steps to give you in-depth information. So stay connected so that you don’t remain confused.

Related Article: How to Pull a Gooseneck Trailer With a Bumper Hitch?

Equipment Needed

Before you begin the process of hooking up your gooseneck trailer, it’s essential to have all the necessary equipment on hand.  When you don’t have the required tools, then it will cause unnecessary delays that will waste your time. The following is a list of items you’ll need to complete the job:

• Hitch and ball
• Hitch pin and clip
• Leveling blocks or jack
• Safety chains
• Wheel chocks

Things to Consider Before Hooking up Gooseneck Trailer

Look, I want you to complete the process smoothly without facing any sort of problem. If you don’t prepare yourself before starting the process, the chances will be high that you’ll face any unexpected problems. So, below are some points that you should consider.

• Make sure the hitch and ball are in good condition. If they have got any rust or corrosion, then remove the rust.
• Check the weight capacity of the hitch and ball to ensure that they can handle the load of the trailer.
• The height of the hitch should be level with the coupler on your trailer. If the hitch is too high or too low, it will be difficult to connect the two.
• Before starting the process, you should make sure that your vehicle is in the park, and the emergency brake is on. I suggest you ensure that the wheels are chocked before attempting to hook up your trailer.

By following the above-given guidelines, I am sure that you’ll not have any sort of mishap during the hookup process. Now that you know some basic considerations, let’s go into the main part of this guide and talk about how you can hook up the gooseneck trailer.

Important Note: Do not tow a gooseneck trailer with a vehicle that is not equipped to handle the weight and size of the load.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Hooking Up the Trailer?

In the above section, I have given you in-depth information about the tools that you’ll need during hooking the gooseneck. Moreover, there are a few things that must be addressed before starting the process and I have mentioned the above in bullet points so that you don’t remain unaware of them.

Now, it’s time to go deep and learn how you can hook up the gooseneck trailer with ease. I will guide you with simple steps and by following these steps, you’ll be able to get the job without the help of any professional mechanic. 

Step 1 –  Bring the trailer to the correct position 

First of all, you will need to bring the trailer and truck in the right position. Make sure that both are perfectly aligned together.

Step 2 –  Raise the trailer above the height towing vehicle

The second step is to raise the gooseneck trailer with the help of a jack and bring it to a higher level than the height of the bed of your towing vehicle and create enough clearance there. In this step, the jack and raising tools will play an important role. 

Step 3 – Align the coupler and lower the trailer

Once the trailer is lifted, you will have to lower the coupler on your trailer onto the ball of the hitch. Make sure the coupler is fully seated on the ball. If the trailer is lifted too high then you can adjust the height and make sure that the coupler is positioned correctly on the ball. 

Then you can use the jack and remove the trailer and keep the coupler on the ball of the truck. This is the time to lock the coupler at this correct position by latching it. Secure the coupler to the ball using the hitch pin and clip.

Step 4 – Attach the safety chains

Now that the coupler has been positioned perfectly on the ball of the truck. Then attach the safety chains to the hitch on your truck and the coupler on your trailer. Make sure the chains are not too tight but are not dragging on the ground.

Step 5 – Check Brake Cables, Safety Chains Electrical Connections

Check the lights on your trailer to ensure they are working properly. Apart from that you should once check the electrical connections, brake cables, and safety chains. If any of them are not working, then visit the mechanic and get them repaired. 

You might be wondering why I am telling you to check as we are playing with trailers and hitches. Look, many gooseneck trailers come with the braking cable attached or associated with the pin. When you adjust the trailer for hooking it up, chances are high that the cable may get faulty. Ensuring the brakes are working means that the cable is not affected by hooking the trailer.

Step 6 – Perform a complete safety inspection

The last step is to check and do some inspection of your trailer and check if it is hooked up perfectly or it. Moreover should also check the brakes and backlights. If everything is fine, then start driving your vehicle slowly to further inspect. If everything looks good, then you are free to rock on the road.

Where Should the Weight of a Load Be Distributed on a Gooseneck Trailer?

I always recommend not to point all the load on one side of the gooseneck trailer, instead, you should distribute the weight appropriately. Following 60/40 is going to be the perfect solution. You can put 60% load on the front axle and 40% of the load on the rear axle. This will create a perfect balance in the trailer. 

Note: Make sure that the tongue weight should not go above 15% of the trailer weight otherwise, you will face issues.

Also Read: How to Measure Trailer Hitch Drop or Rise?

Conclusion

Hooking up a gooseneck trailer is actually a simple process. In this guide, I’ve given the step by step instructions that you can follow to complete the process. You will just need the right hitch and ball, hitch pin and clip, leveling blocks or jack, and safety chains, and you’ll be good to get the job done by yourself. I hope that this guide will add value to your life.