All coupling over here is done as split coupling. Its the only safe way to hitch your trailer up, as the trailers are slightly different over here.
All the trailer brake controls are inside the cab, when you disconnect the airlines it sets the spring parking brake automatically.
Basically you back your unit under the trailer to a point just before the pin engages with the jaws, connect up your airlines, remove the chock from the wheels, and then while holding down the trailer brake valve in the cab, back the truck under fully. then while still holding the brake on, perform a tug test. This is how you are taught to couple up.
scanny 77
i dont know what happened but if i hadnt given it a couple of pulls i would have lost my trailer somewhere
is it really possible to loose your trailer once out on the open road say after 30 minutes driving would your trailer just break free…i know its done in the yard through personal experience
Split coupling is dangerous and should only be done
by highly trained skilled operatives
now as the companies dont wont skilled operatives or pay for training
were caught between the devil and deep blue sea
Committed the cardinal sin recently in a moment of complete stupidity reversed under the fifth wheel and didn’t confirm the height. Drove under at too low a height and ended up in front of the pin foirtunatley not damaging the rear of the cab! 
Am still shuddering with the embarresment but one thing is for sure it will never happen again.
McPlod:
Committed the cardinal sin recently in a moment of complete stupidity reversed under the fifth wheel and didn’t confirm the height. Drove under at too low a height and ended up in front of the pin foirtunatley not damaging the rear of the cab!
The times I did that as a 18 year old night yard shunter (no licence at all 
) many moons ago - good job I could operate a huge Hyster fork lift - well it was easier than winding legs down 
hitch:
Split coupling is dangerous and should only be done
by highly trained skilled operativesnow as the companies dont wont skilled operatives or pay for training
were caught between the devil and deep blue sea
perhaps someone should pass a directive requiring drivers to get trained ( maybe 35 hours every 5 years) then we could all do split coupling courses 
I’ll get my coat …
Easy to see the pros and cons of split coupling…
Hate it myself, always have a fear of being distracted and forgetting something…
In this day of H&S surely it would make more sense to design a system (Actually think JOST have just done one) that is automatic, or can be done from one side of the truck, ie utilising the slides on the trailers with a similar system on the unit…
There has to be an easy fix on this sort of thing…
Quick Question ,
When you hook up the air lines my airbrake pops off! so wot do i do?
if its on flat ground thats ok but when its a slope/hill ■■?
papermonkey:
garnerlives:
It’s where you go to back under the trailer but then get out attach airlines etc before you get under the king pin. Then you’d get back in reverse back lock into kingpin do tug then clip etc. Its mainly done on reefers as no or very small gap on catwalk, but is a big no no in most places I believeI, in my ignorance picked up that little trick when driving on agency for a well known local haulier, (mainly, you understand, to keep the fifth wheel grease and other associated crap off my person). When I took said trick to Tescos I got told in no uncertain terms that if they caught me doing that again they would run me off the site. BTW they call it half hitching.
Norberts dont have a problem with it.
Fallmonk:
Quick Question ,When you hook up the air lines my airbrake pops off! so wot do i do?
if its on flat ground thats ok but when its a slope/hill ■■?
Get some wheel chocks. That way when the brakes release, your not going anywhere due to the wheels being chocked.
BigJon:
Fallmonk:
Quick Question ,When you hook up the air lines my airbrake pops off! so wot do i do?
if its on flat ground thats ok but when its a slope/hill ■■?Get some wheel chocks. That way when the brakes release, your not going anywhere due to the wheels being chocked.
And is that ok? 
. I mean,is it normal over there? Iknow you got some unusual sports but■■?
Yes chocking the wheels with the handbrake off is normal here, as you need to test the air brakes as part of your pre-trip, the only way to check the travel on the slack adjusters is with the air holding the spring brakes off . They are really big on brakes here, as you dont want to lose them while travelling down a mountain, due to you not having checked / adjusted them before hand. We actually have areas at the top of the mountain where trucks MUST pull in and check their brakes before descending.