I am new to a gooseneck trailer, care to elaborate (warnings)?
My new policy while unhooking is to just take the call and not multitask while on the call. Usually I don’t have the luxury of not taking the call. Same as any other trailer I’ve ever had, it’s always good to have a “system” to hook up. If you have help, it’s always good to have them use your system. My system is pretty obvious but it’s good not to deviate.
-flip down tailgate of truck
-roll up and secure my Truxedo cover
-dab of grease on the gooseneck ball
-check trailer electrical and chains to make sure they are out of the way while backing. Don’t want those damaged
-ensure that the gooseneck coupler is “open” and ready to receive the gooseneck ball
-position truck under gooseneck
-recheck the coupler
-lower gooseneck onto ball while watching for interference from chains/electrical connections
-release and secure drivers side trailer jack foot
-connect electrical to truck
-secure drivers side safety chain
-move coupler to “locked”
-secure pass side safety chain
-release and secure pass side trailer jack foot
-do another walk through of the “system” to recheck each item
-check trailer deck for any loose items
-check trailer tires/wheels and lights
I sometimes have “helpers” while connecting. I make them walk through my system with me. I’m ultimately responsible for the truck/trailer connection being secured to my truck as much or more than the load being secure on the bed. While hooking, it’s a good time to remind the helpers of that responsibility and why I do my step by step process. If it’s my kids being helpers, they can learn. If it’s another adult, I may offend but I don’t care. I have to go through my pre-flight check. If they don’t understand why I check things like I do, it’s good to note that about that helper.
I’m always up to help someone with my truck/trailer. My trailer/truck/me are kind of a package deal and I’m glad to help when I’m available. I’ve had VERY poor luck when allowing people to borrow my normal car trailers. A gooseneck is a bit of a different beast in my opinion vs a bumper tow trailer. I’m just begging for busted up trailer parts by lending it out. I’ve just got this trailer put together enough to be serviceable. It’s pretty easy to knock the axles against something and put the tires out of alignment again. Who knows how bent/broken things on trailers happen but it’s always comforting that I know where/what/when/how any damage or potential damage occurred when I’m using the trailer at its capacity like I do with two rigs on it.