If you have a second person who can lend you a helping hand while you hook up your trailer, the job becomes much easier. Position the helper where you can see her in your side mirror so she can show you which way to turn and when to stop. If you own a pair of walkie-talkies, she can communicate her directions this way as well. Allow her to guide you into position so the ball and socket match up.
Some companies sell products that help you to align your tow vehicle to the trailer hitch without the assistance of a second person. If you cannot afford to buy one, make one yourself by placing tennis balls on top of plastic or fiberglass rods. One rod goes onto your vehicle above the ball and the other goes onto the trailer hitch over the socket. Watch the balls in your rear-view mirror until they touch each other. When the two balls touch, you are perfectly aligned.
When your trailer is in the resting position, the socket is likely lower than it needs to be to line up with the ball on your tow vehicle. Before you hook up your trailer, raise the socket on your trailer hitch at least as high as it needs to be for the ball to be positioned beneath it. More clearance may be needed to maneuver the vehicle, especially if you are on an incline. As long as you get close to the correct position, the socket should slide over the ball when you lower it into place.
If you are using weight-distribution tow bars, these must be moved into place after you have secured the ball and socket together. The bars that are part of the tow bar can be very difficult to move, especially when they are new. For easier movements, after you have secured the hitch to the tow vehicle, raise the trailer hitch back up just as you did to maneuver the ball under the socket. When you raise the trailer, you are taking the pressure off of the tow bars. Slide them into place, then lower the hitch back to its towing position. Raising the hitch before removing the tow bars also makes removal easier.
The ball and socket setup and the tow bars are not the only ways a trailer is hooked to your towing vehicle. It is important to make sure that all connections are made. Plug in the electrical hook-ups from the trailer into the plug at the back of your car. Check these by applying the brake, turning on your turn signals and checking your headlights. It is useful to have someone else behind the trailer to check all of these features. If the trailer has brakes, these are also attached to the electrical bundle. Trailer brakes also come with a break-away cord in case the trailer becomes disconnected from the vehicle. Always secure this cord when you will be towing the trailer. Double check all connections before leaving.
