Here's a quick review of how to hitch and unhitch your vehicle.

1. Turn the tongue jack crank clockwise (or operate the power jack) to raise the tongue and coupler. Raise the tongue sufficiently to clear the hitch ball on the tow vehicle.
2. Back to the tow vehicle until the hitch ball is directly under the coupler socket. If you are working alone, a backing aid mirror may be helpful.
3. Be sure the coupler latch-locking lever on the tongue is fully open. Lower the tongue jack until the ball is firmly seated in the socket. Secure the coupler latch with a locking pin, bolt, or small padlock.
4. Raise the tow vehicle and trailer with the tongue jack high enough to allow room to install the weight distribution hitch spring bars.
5. Attach the spring bars according to the hitch manufacturer's instructions.
6. After adjusting the spring bars, lower the jack, remove the foot or wheel, and fully retract the jack. Step back and check that the trailer is level from front to back. Do not permit the front to be lower than the rear on tandem axle trailers; this reduces tongue weight and loads the front axle, reducing sway stability. Adjust the hitch ball height if necessary.
7. Adjust the sway control system according to the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Connect the safety chains. Loop each chain through a suitable attachment eye on the tow vehicle and insert the chain quick coupler through an appropriate chain link. Adjust each chain length so it is as short as possible but still permits full turn angles without becoming tight. Both chains should be the same lengths and short enough to cradle the trailer's tongue off the ground if the trailer ever accidentally becomes uncoupled. Be sure to close the quick coupler by tightening the threaded connector. WARNING: NEVER ATTACH SAFETY CHAINS TO THE HITCH BALL OR ANY REMOVABLE PART OF THE HITCH!
9. Connect the breakaway switch lanyard to an attachment eye on the tow vehicle. Ensure the switch lanyard is adjusted so the switch is not activated during a full "jackknife" turn. REMEMBER: the breakaway switch's emergency braking feature requires a fully charged battery on the trailer. This important safety item is required in most states, including California.
10. Plug the 12-volt electrical cord into the mating tow vehicle socket or plug.
11. Run an operational check of stop lights, turn indicators, running lights, and electric brakes before driving off.
12. Reverse the process for unhitching.
    

Curt Manufacturing, one of our trusted trailer hitch manufacturers, has created a great video demonstrating how to hitch up a trailer:

Once you have the hitch installed, it's time to wire up your tow vehicle to electronically hook up to your trailer.