okay so this video is going to show the correct coupling and uncoupling procedures for tractor and trailer on c plus e articulated vehicles today we're going to be using the DAF CF Trax unit as used by the instructors at to start training and we're hitching up to the white tandem axles super super singles trailer really important before we start any of this process that we carry out a trailer check the most important thing is to make sure physically that that trailer hand brakes on you don't want the whole combination rolling away that's extremely dangerous daily walk around tracks tires will nuts lights exactly the same as you do on any other vehicle but make sure for certain that that trailer handbrake is on you don't want it rolling away so the first thing we're going to do is to reverse towards our trailer once we're happy that we've got the correct trailer reversing up specifically looking at the mud guards making sure that on either side in our mirrors those mud guards are coming into the correct position that will make sure that the fifth wheel and the kingpin are lined up correctly we're then going to switch off handbrake neutral climb out and we're checking that fifth-wheel coupling height just to make sure that our trailer wouldn't jump our coupling and caused any damage so we're at the correct height so the tractor unit and trailer are going to link properly as we reverse back under you say see the tractor unit take the weight of the trailer and you're going to feel the little shudder as the as the kingpin locates itself in the fifth wheel and you can see there underneath as the fifth wheel is is going inside that slot there and the bar comes across to lock now this is the part you're going to hear as a driver you can see the locking arm there as we reverse back and we locate the locking arms going to move into place to lock the coupling together next thing we do is attempt to pull forward twice that's called a tug test just to make sure that the coupling is secure any problems and they'd release next thing outside is to connect our dog clip now we put that in place just to make sure that our trailer coupling isn't going to come loose and we now need to do our Air Lines and electrical connections okay so Air Lines we've got the gold collar there we're locating the pin into the slot when I place the coupling together and pull the go back a nice firm grip good firm push and there we go that's locked in place and we're going to rotate that collar to make sure it's secure same again this time female on to male we're going to locate that pin into the groove there the connector coming together holding that collar back really good firm push and we'll see the collar locate and again rotating to make sure it's secure next thing ABS connector lift the flap up there and locate the EBS connector correctly and we've got that curved locking arm there we're going to push that round and lock it into place it's illegal if that's fitted not to use it got to be connected against the law we've got other electrical connections straightforward male and female you'll be able to quite quickly locate the correct and appropriate coupling for that on the trailer they're nice and straightforward next thing is to make sure we put on the correct trailer number plate again points and fines are available for not having the correct number plate next thing is to grab the trailer leg winding handle and we're going to wind those trailer legs all the way up really important again there's points and fines available to wind those legs all the way up just to make sure they'll certainly clear any hazard on the ground while you drive in the next thing to do after we've done the legs is to release that trailer parking brake push to release pull the park so we're going to push that and release the trailer brake don't forget to check the lights on the vehicle on the trailer before you drive away really important so now we've done that we're going to drive away now any suspicious noises while you're driving we should stop pull over in a nice safe place just check the load and the coupling just so we know there's no problem so to reiterate then the correct coupling procedure carry out your trailer checks reverse up to the trailer exit the cab to check the fifth-wheel height reverse under the trailer until the fifth wheel engages the kingpin carry out the tug test to check the coupling engage the dog clip connect the electrical cables and air lines attach the number plate to the trailer wind up the trailer support legs and release the parking brake so we've done all our deliveries now coming back to the yard at the end of the day we need to be sure that where we're going to put trailer has good ground bearing of the support we don't want to drive that tractor unit out and have the trailer legs sinking into the ground so we're making sure we're going to park on nice firm ground where the ground is going to take the weight of that trailer first thing we're going to do once we've parked up is to exit the cab walk all the way around and engage the trailer parking brake again pull to park on the trailer legs we're going to grab that handle and wind them all the way down now we're going to come back up by one by two whines just to make sure that when we recover our trailer the tractor units going to lift the trailer slightly to avoid the legs bending should the trailer move left or right as the kingpin engages into the fifth wheel that just prevents damage to the legs now make sure you remove your number plate as well you don't want to drive all the way up country to grab a trailer and not have a number plate so let's take that off the trailer next thing is the Air Lines and electrical connections making sure that we're going to take all of those off we don't want to leave any behind you can see them they're coupled up correctly and that's exactly the opposite procedure of what we did before so we've got the the collar there we're going to locate the pin into the groove they're a nice firm grip of the airline because it is going to come out with some force push that collar back and the airline will separate same thing on the male to female and we're going to come round locate the pin into the groove again a nice firm grip pull back and that will separate next thing abs just pull the arm back remove the EBS connector and remember to make sure that any other connectors are removed all that happen is you'll break the connectors that's not a good idea you'll just break the lines make sure that we stow them all correctly nice and out the way so there's not going to be any damage while we're driving so they're all correctly stowed and we're going to remove that dog clip that will free us to release that bit we'll in pincers forward out and forward on that so the last thing we're going to do then is to drive slowly forward making sure that we stop just at the edge of that trailer to allow the rear air suspension on the tractor unit to settle down you can see the fifth wheel and the kingpin they're separating it's important to stay underneath and have a look in the mirror to watch the trailer and the tractor separate that gives you another opportunity to make sure you've put your legs down and they're not sinking into the floor if they are sinking or you haven't put them down you won't see the tractor and trailer start to separate and that's when you need to be worried that there might be a problem so pull gently forward making sure that we stop just to make sure we're separating properly just before the trapped unit comes out from underneath the trailer that helped you to avoid any major disasters happening there so just to reiterate finally then the uncoupling order is to apply the trailer parking brake lower the trailer support legs remove the trailer number plate disconnect the electrical in Air Lines unclip the dog clip to disengage the 5th wheel drive it out slowly allowing the trailer to settle making sure nothing's sinking into the ground that's it coupling and uncoupling complete