Split coupling - is this right?

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

i just need a refresher really so i dont forget it for whenever i get my next test, can any of you (especially you instructors) confirm that the following procedure is correct and to the test standard:

  1. Pull trailer brake
  2. Wind down legs
  3. Remove dog clip and pull fith wheel arm
  4. Pull forward couple of feet
  5. Disconnect airlines and electrics
  6. Check trailer brake
  7. Tell examiner I would now remove number plate
  8. Park unit to the side of trailer

Now the coupling

  1. Park unit in front of trailer
  2. Check trailer brake, MOT, check wheels, check lights & lenses
  3. Knock fifth wheel arm into place to be ready for incoming trailer (not sure if u have to do this on all units?)
  4. Check unit will get under trailer
  5. Reverse unit a few feet (but not connecting with kingpin)
  6. Connect all suzies
  7. Reverse unit till u hear the clunk, then do 2 shunts.
  8. Put dog clip on
  9. wind up legs
  10. take trailer brake off
  11. Tell examiner i would now replace number plate

thanks a lot, are the trailer brake checks in the right place?? im pretty sure this is how i did on my test failure and there was no probs. I’ve lost the bit of paper my instructor gave me you see with all this on.

2

Why are you split-coupling for a CE test :question: :confused:
training schools usually have enough room between the cab and the front of the trailer to do a ‘normal’ un/couple…

3

As Rog says + don’t forget to get examiner to check the brake lights.

4

tramp:

  1. Pull trailer brake
  2. Wind down legs
  3. Remove dog clip and pull fith wheel arm
  4. Pull forward couple of feet
  5. Disconnect airlines and electrics
  6. Check trailer brake
  7. Tell examiner I would now remove number plate
  8. Park unit to the side of trailer

I personally would say check the trailer brake before disconnecting your lines.

I was told on my training that some examiners frown on split coupling.

I got taught BLACK

Brake
Legs
Ancillary’s
Clip
Kingpin

5

B1 GGK:
I got taught BLACK

Brake
Legs
Ancillary’s
Clip
Kingpin

i found it easier to use ROG’s BLANCK

Brake
Legs
Airlines
Number Plate
Clip
Kingpin

6

ROG:
Why are you split-coupling for a CE test :question: :confused:
training schools usually have enough room between the cab and the front of the trailer to do a ‘normal’ un/couple…

they used to do normal but then one time an examiner decided to measure the length of unit and trailer and it was a couple inches over length, so they had to close it up. the test centres dont have a problem with it.

So i what i wrote correct? apart from asking examiner to check lights at the end?

7

tramp:
So i what i wrote correct? apart from asking examiner to check lights at the end?

Seems OK to me as you HAVE to do it this way :slight_smile:

No3 of the couple up - not a usual thing to have to do.