Unhitching the Trailer

Unhitching the trailer is a relatively easy process. It is, in effect, just the opposite of hitching the trailer to the TV (tow vehicle).

To start, I place a block beneath the tongue jack. I have a power tongue jack, so I then merely push a button and the jack meets the block and begins lifting the tongue of the trailer. At this point, most people would flip the latch to unhitch, but I do things a bit differently. I have a Husky hitch with weight distribution and sway control, as shown below.

Before unhitching I must remove the sway bars. These sway bars are under a great deal of pressure, and the best way to relieve that pressure is by lifting the trailer. If you don't relieve the pressure, they can be dangerous to remove. Rather than unhitch, then, I raise the trailer while it is still hooked to the TV. This means the back end of the TV also lifts up. When I reach height sufficient to release pressure, I then remove the sway bars and lower the trailer all the way.

Next, I flip the latch and raise the tongue jack again, this time with the aim being to disconnect from the TV. Once this is done, I unhook the safety chains, the break away cable, and finally the electric cable.

Quite often when we check into a campground, Donna will go inside and check us in while I remain with the rig disconnecting the sway bars. I've done this enough times now that I can do so in just a few minutes. Then, when she returns, we're ready to proceed to our site. The advantage of doing this is that I am able to make sharper turns without the sway bars. So, when trying to negotiate a tight campsite, I have a bit more freedom and flexibility than I would with the sway bars.