--- title: What Problems May Arise During Coupling and Decoupling? description: Many heavy vehicles are required to couple and decouple trailers on a daily basis, and this can result in unnecessary costs and downtime. What can happen and are there ways to minimize the risks? image: https://blog.vbg.eu/hubfs/VBG/VBG_Images/VBG_blogposts/vbg_blog_w26_whitebakground_till_och_fran_text.png --- [![VBG logo](https://blog.vbg.eu/hubfs/Assets/img/vbg-logo.svg)](http://www.vbg.eu/en/) - Solutions ## Solutions [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/u7x3adb8a5z0vhk13on2/L-sningar-helhet.svg) Solutions with an integrated approach](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/2139yxibtv33ljh14w2u/P-byggare-1.svg) Sustainable transport](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/sustainable-transport/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/apvj8axm8whp5kfovoi7/P-byggare.svg) For bodybuilders](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/for-bodybuilders/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/5u4dpqvokj0eeu5m6357/F-rare.svg) For drivers](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/for-drivers/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/fvh0h915kt30gka9b93l/Kundber-ttelser.svg) Customer stories](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/success-stories/) - Products ## Products [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/vbg-795vr-3-pa_l-l.png?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=a0ce582ad2faa38431d9fbb5cf3695d20d9d09ccd8f60e4e4b4a8a8f7bbb83dd&v=1632122430) Couplings](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/couplings/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/menu-driver-assist.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=7022981b6fd020dd858e676d60bcf4659982dcce51bcba54721cd579f2aea038&v=1652191373) VBG Driver Assist](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/vbg-driver-assist/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/dragbalkmeny2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=6d2309b5068c4b48af0d00f2b092c4bc095f427241f0e8baeb3630a1f25ca526&v=1526977473) Drawbeam system](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/drawbeam-system/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/u-skydd_produktvaljare.png?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=485a2e3acf5d96935f554423addfedd12b63a67d4075fb734df07a1e1ab9af5b&v=1662447913) Underrun protection](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/underrun-protection/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/dragstangmeny2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=223385284bb8115d3b7bc62217b21467da6647d53ebe60765f64279ea2b91d50&v=1527153014) Drawbars](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/drawbars/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/dragogla/dragoglamenu.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=1d7d41bf43e644a779e6470fe3ff0c35486fa56b2870378de7148dc8e06f9e5a&v=1525696242) Drawbar eyes](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/drawbar-eyes/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/tillbehormeny2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=5660dac10f64fa5ef7a7ff3974161791a7d65b3b8ca86e9c161943e9ed4a89b9&v=1526997631) Other assortment](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/other-assortment/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imgs/imagevault/publishedmedia/ft5bo6n69m9whjj5qm6y/vbg-menu-system.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=677796ce0d04b3cb3bc90c9de7b6183a62373bdec05cce508bacbd30c0459d8f) See the whole system](http://www.vbg.eu/en/product-overview/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/spare-parts-menu-2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=262457083c8fad284f5c16fa023e153bee90029557d8ece62b5841e2b97b4ef4&v=1646642366) Spare parts](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/spare-parts/) ![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/spare-parts-menu-2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=262457083c8fad284f5c16fa023e153bee90029557d8ece62b5841e2b97b4ef4&v=1646642366) Spare parts [Spare parts](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/spare-parts/) - Support ## Support [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/2yv841kxf1zw7gqhbsbn/Service.svg) Support](http://www.vbg.eu/en/support/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/dsyjjfa4bgxm4397imm9/Returer.svg) Returns and Complaints](http://www.vbg.eu/en/support/returns-and-complaints/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/dy5z3mo5pwljlke283ks/Riktlinjer.svg) Maintenance guidelines](http://www.vbg.eu/en/support/maintenance-guidelines/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/9mcef176c2807rmrrfnk/Kvalite.svg) Quality and Environment](http://www.vbg.eu/en/support/quality-and-environment/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/fhvf37ms8x5kw19s2b6j/Vanliga-fragor.svg) FAQ](http://www.vbg.eu/en/faq/) - [Calculator](http://www.vbg.eu/en/calculator/) ## Calculator - [Blog](https://blog.vbg.eu/en) ## Blog [Contact us](http://www.vbg.eu/en/contact-us/) - [Partner Login](http://www.vbg.eu/en/extranat/) - Select your language [Back](https://blog.vbg.eu/en) Share the article - - Published on 25 Jun 2020 by [Tommy Pettersson](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/tommy-pettersson) < 4 min # What Problems May Arise During Coupling and Decoupling? *Many heavy vehicles are required to couple and decouple trailers on a daily basis. What are the risks and how can they be prevented?* Coupling and decoupling present a number of daily challenges. Some are directly linked to the drawbar guiding procedure. These days, guiding the drawbar eye to the coupling is performed mechanically using the coupling’s guide mouth, which is specially designed to direct the drawbar eye towards the centre to ensure safe coupling. Usually, it is not difficult for the driver to guide the eye sideways, but it is difficult to see vertically when sitting in the cab. If with a rear view camera installed, drivers must frequently exit the cab to check whether the vertical position of the eye is correct and, if necessary, make adjustments and repeat the procedure. Once the trailer is coupled and before driving off, it must be ensured that the coupling is closed and locked. This is done by checking the coupling signal pin (which shows whether the coupling is locked or not) and that the green light on the coupling display is shining if you have a remote-controlled coupling with power actuator. If the coupling is not locked and secured when driving away, it can present a very dangerous situation resulting in an accident. [Learn more about coupling safely](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/the-right-way-to-couple-a-trailer) ![vbg_blog_w26_whitebakground_till_och_fran_text](https://blog.vbg.eu/hs-fs/hubfs/VBG/VBG_Images/VBG_blogposts/vbg_blog_w26_whitebakground_till_och_fran_text.png?width=1200&name=vbg_blog_w26_whitebakground_till_och_fran_text.png) Typical material damage caused by the drawbar eye impacting the vehicle as a result of improper guiding includes damage to the: - Underrun protection - Drawbeam - Electrical and air connections - Accessories such as rear view cameras This evidently incurs considerable expense for the owner in terms of material replacement as well as costs relating to vehicle downtime and unplanned stoppages. The risk of damage during decoupling is not as great. The most important thing is to remember to ensure that brake is applied on the trailer before it is decoupled. ## Why is guiding slow? In the past, trailers usually had a single-axle front but, in the early 80s, twin-steering axles became more common, followed later by multi-axles, which made it ‘slower’ to guide the eye into the coupling sideways. That was when VBG developed a power actuator system to help the driver close and lock the coupling more easily. ## Can it be made easier? Yes! It is much easier with a built-in radar system that intuitively informs of the driver of how coupling is progressing and whether adjustments are needed. Quite simply, an electronic assist system for the driver. We will examine this in more detail at a later date. [![Contact an expert](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2640104/e98cc393-c3ab-44df-a0bb-ba774141a0e8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2640104/e98cc393-c3ab-44df-a0bb-ba774141a0e8) Topics - [Ownership](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/ownership) - [Use](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/use) [![Tommy Pettersson](https://blog.vbg.eu/hs-fs/hubfs/VBG/Author%20Portrait/Authors_BW_Tommy_Pettersson.png?width=200&name=Authors_BW_Tommy_Pettersson.png)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/tommy-pettersson) #### [Tommy Pettersson](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/tommy-pettersson) Tommy Pettersson arbetar som Senior Technical advisor och har under hela sitt yrkesliv jobbat inom fordonsbranschen. Hans fokus i det dagliga arbetet är produktplanering och -utveckling samt att ständigt förbättra processerna för produktutveckling. Tommy är född och uppvuxen i Vänersborg och njuter av vandring och friluftsliv i närområdet. Under de snöfria månaderna spenderar han gärna ledig tid på golfbanor i gott sällskap för att kombinera sitt natur- och sportintresse. Tommy Pettersson works as Senior Technical advisor and has worked in the automotive industry his entire professional life. His focus in his daily work is product planning and development as well as continually improving the processes for product development. Tommy was born and raised in Vänersborg and enjoys hiking and outdoor recreation in the surrounding area. During the snow-free months, he enjoys spending his free time at golf courses in good company to combine his interests in nature and sports. Tommy Pettersson arbejder som Senior Technical advisor og har i hele sit arbejdsliv været beskæftiget inden for bilindustrien. Hans fokus i det daglige arbejde er produktplanlægning og -udvikling samt løbende forbedring af processerne for produktudvikling. Tommy er født og opvokset i Vänersborg og nyder vandreture og friluftsliv i nærområdet. I de snefri måneder bruger han gerne fritiden på golfbanerne i godt selskab for på den måde at kombinere sin natur- og sportsinteresse. ### Recent posts - [VBG Strengthens Capacity with New Testing Facility](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/vbg-strengthens-capacity-with-new-testing-facility) - [How do I perform a function check?](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/how-do-i-perform-a-function-check) - [How Dagab uses VBG Driver Assist](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/how-dagab-uses-vbg-driver-assist) - [How to protect your investment and extend the system’s lifespan](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/how-to-protect-your-investment-and-extend-the-systems-lifespan) - [What technical requirements apply to 34.5 meter combinations?](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/what-technical-requirements-apply-to-34.5-meter-combinations) - [View all](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/all) ### Topics - [Transportation industry (73)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/transportation-industry) - [Ownership (48)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/ownership) - [Transport industry (40)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/transport-industry) - [Use (31)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/use) - [Engineering (5)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/engineering) ### Authors - [Anders Erkén (2)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/anders-erkén) - [Emil Vikingsson (3)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/emil-vikingsson) - [Emilia Angséus (1)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/emilia-angséus) - [Eric Carlebom (5)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/eric-carlebom) - [Fredrik Gustavsson (1)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/fredrik-gustavsson) ## Discuss this post Leave a comment ## Recommended reading ![How do I perform a function check?](https://blog.vbg.eu/hubfs/VBG_Norway_-6804-1.png) > 4 min #### How do I perform a function check? 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