Hooking up a trailer for the first time feels intimidating, but it takes less than 5 minutes once you know the steps.
Step 1: Confirm your hitch ball size
Moovalot trailers use a standard 2-inch ball coupler. Check that your vehicle's hitch ball is 2 inches — it's usually stamped on top of the ball.
Step 2: Back up to the trailer
Back up slowly until your ball is approximately 1 inch behind and below the coupler. Have someone stand to the side to guide you, or use your phone's rear camera.
Step 3: Lower the coupler onto the ball
Use the tongue jack (the hand-crank wheel at the front of the tongue) to lower the coupler over the ball. You'll hear/feel a click when it drops into position.
Step 4: Latch the coupler
Flip the latch lever closed. Give the trailer tongue a good upward tug to confirm it's locked. If the coupler lifts off the ball, re-do the latch.
Step 5: Connect the safety chains
Cross the two safety chains under the tongue in an X pattern and clip to your vehicle's hitch receiver. Leave enough slack for turns but not so much they drag the ground.
Step 6: Plug in the trailer lights
Plug the 4-pin flat connector into your vehicle's trailer wiring harness. Test: headlights on → trailer tails illuminate. Brakes → brake lights flash. Turn signals → corresponding side flashes.
Step 7: Raise the tongue jack
Crank the tongue jack back up until the foot clears the ground before driving.
Driving tips for first-timers
- Turns are wider than normal — give yourself extra room on right turns.
- Stopping distance is longer — leave more space ahead.
- Reversing: to turn left, turn your steering wheel right (counter-intuitive at first).