Please check that you've safely hitched before venturing out . . . .

New to towing anything and when picked up pop up the dealer hooked up and did it so fast i am not sure I remember everything. Can someone walk me through?

 

. What type of camper do you have and what tow vehicle do you have? The hitches are different among the pop-ups. So there may be a slightly different process. Do you have a manual for your popup? That would be a start. On mine there is a small pin and lever. (See attached) You pull the pin and lift the lever then back your vehicle up and lower onto the ball. Once fully on the ball correctly you lower the lever to lock it on and put the pin back in. Attach chains, electric connection, and if you have the break-a-way cord to tow vehicle. Test lights to make sure everything is working. Do an initial tug test to make sure everything is sitting right take chauks out from tires and you should be set.

 

08 Trailblazer and 17 Rockwood 1940 LTD

 

Here you go:

 

So where do I attach the breakaway cable? Thanks for the video, thats very helpful

 

The break away cable if you have one, would need to be attached to the tow vehicle somewhere. For me, I attach it to the same place I attach my camper chains on. I just try and keep it over to the side so it doesn't get caught up in the chains if I was to make a tight turn, etc.

 

Ok thanks, thats how the dealer hooked up but he said I needed to get a clip of some sort, wasn't sure what type of clip

 

LOL, 10 easy steps. Very ironic.

 

I am always a triple checker. When it's done, before I pull away and at the end of the block before I go into traffic.

 

Good luck fitting power cord through the hitch lock safety pin.

 

I also do a walk around and double check the hitch, chains, and coupler if we stop along the way for food/shopping etc. You never know what kids will do thinking it's funny.

 

I'm not a fan of putting the electrical cord through the hitch lock safety pin as shown in the video. The cord moves back and forth when turning around corners, and backing, (jackknifing) into parking spots. I wouldn't want to risk that cord opening the safety pin. I actually use a pad lock on the coupler while towing anyway, but for those who use a pin as shown, I wouldn't put the cord in there.

 

When we picked up our pop up recently, the breakaway cable was broke. We need to replace it now before venturing off. Any videos or suggestions on what cable to purchase or how I replace it? Thank you.

 

I bought a breakaway cable at tractor supply that has a snap at each end the cable coils up so it stays tight and never drags to catch on things

 

Most breakaway cables are 48 inches long. Plenty on Amazon. I prefer the straight to the coiled. The breakaway cable needs to be setup shorter than the safety chains. I don't run it through the same hole as the chain, since it is small wire and could be comprised easily by the chain hook. I put a clevis through the hole and run the cable through the clevis and back to the loop at the switch. You may need a quick link or two, to adjust the cable length.

 

The prior owner had carabiners to attach the chains to the vehicle and attached the breakaway switch to one of the carabiners. I quickly ordered clevis clips for the chains and now connect the breakaway cable to the vehicle with a quick link.

I use a locking pin on my hitch and coupler. That way I know they are properly connected until/unless I unlock them. I never trust someone else to hitch my equipment, or prepare my for "take off". I always do it myself or check it completely over before driving.

 

Bumping this old thread because more and more ppl are hitting the road with school ending. Keep your family safe! Check! Check! Check!
My first trip out...ugh. it was embarrassing. I thought i had everything hooked up correct, i did it the way the guy i bought it from did it. HE DIDN'T DO IT RIGHT!
1. Left the wheel on the lift.
2. I Had bought new safety chains but didn't install them right away. The ones on the trailer were rusty and didn't look sturdy to me.
3. Didn't check hitch away any point after I hooked up and drove off.
4. No pin on the coupler

After watching my popup bounce down a hill, towards a lake, coming to a stop after it smashed a tent, made me almost have heart failure on the spot. I was blessed noone was in the tent, and the tent was there to stop my trailer for going for a swim.
I replaced the safety chains THE VERY NEXT DAY. I had to because the old ones broke. Pin through the coupler ALWAYS! and an extra in the glove box just in case. I always walk around and check everything at rest/ fuel stops. My oldest kid is trained to help me do the 'safety check' on the lights at each stop. And im always watching in my mirror!

 

Everyone says make sure the chains are crossed. On my pup and TT the chains are attached at a single point so crossing them is useless.

 

I've got a little 14' day sailer, from the early '70s, that came with only 1 safety chain. No crossing there.

 

not the best example - its a lightweight hitch

even my 2,0000 Lbs axle-ed Aliner has a decent hitch.