How to Attach a Trailer Hitch to a Travel Trailer

Pulling a travel trailer can be done with many types of vehicles, typically trucks, depending on the size of the vehicle and the trailer. In order to pull or tow a travel trailer, a ball mount hitch will be required for the vehicle. Once the ball mount hitch has been installed, the coupler on the trailer is then placed on the ball. In order for the coupler to fit correctly, you will need to have the proper size ball mount hitch on the vehicle.

Instructions

Measuring for a Ball Mount Hitch

1

Find the distance from the top of the receiver to the ground using a tape measure. This is known as the hitch height.

2

Place a level on the trailer tongue and make sure that it is sitting level.

3

Find the distance from the top of the coupler of the trailer to the ground. This is known as the trailer height.

4

Subtract the hitch height from the trailer height to find the rise or drop that is required for the ball mount.

5

Select a ball mount that has a rise or drop matching your measurements.

Attaching the Travel Trailer

6

Pull the pin out of the ball hitch by first removing the cotter pin.

7

Insert the ball hitch into the receiver and align the pin holes. You then need to insert the locking pin into the receiver so that the end for the cotter pin comes out the other side. Place the cotter pin back into the locking pin to secure the ball hitch to the receiver.

8

Open the locking mechanism on the trailer coupler and then place the coupler over the ball on the ball mount hitch. Close the lock on the trailer coupler to prevent the coupler from coming off of the ball.

9

Place a small lock through the hole in the trailer coupler to secure the locking mechanism. This will prevent it from unlatching while you are towing the trailer.

10

Connect the safety chains to the back of the hitch and to the trailer. The safety chains have hooks at the ends that go into holes in the hitch and the trailer coupler.