Going for an assessment drive tomorrow and the agency guy said they’ll want me to do close coupling not split coupling of the unit to the trailer, can sometime please explain these please. I’m pretty sure I know what he means buy Close, but not sure about Split
Cheers, Nez
Split would be where you drive under the trailer but don’t engage the 5th wheel on the pin. This gives you extra room to attach the suzies. (Normally on fridge trailers where there is less room between trailer and cab) once the suzies are connected you back under all the way and continue to hook up as normal.
The expression “close” refers to the method you learned for your test unless you “split” coupled in which case you wouldn’t be asking the question!
Split coupling is used where it’s not possible to get between the unit and trailer to connect the suzuies. This is often the case on max length fridge trailers.
To split couple, this is what you do:
Check trailer brake on and condition of trailer
Reverse to the trailer - checking and adjusting height as required
Stop, leaving enough room to get to the front of the trailer
Couple up air lines and electrics
Continue reversing to trailer to couple up, 2 tugs forward
The rest is what you are familiar with.
To uncouple, reverse the above. (Don’t reverse too far or you’ll forcibly remove the air lines!)
Hope this helps, Pete 
Hi mate,im only new myself,but we do split coupling on all our fridge trailers. Basically,it involves coupling all your cables up to the trailer BEFORE revering onto the pin. To do this,we reverse the unit until the fifth wheel is under the front edge of the trailer,ensure the unit park brake AND trailer brake’s are both on! Connect the leads,and then reverse fully onto the pin and connect the clip. Split coupling seems to be the norm for fridge units in particular,due to the lack of space between the back of the unit and the front of the trailer,due to the fridge. Hope this helps? As I say,im new too,but this is how we couple our chilled trailers. Good luck with your assessment! Cheers,Paul.
Thanks, in that case, all I’ve ever fine us closer coupling so no worries there then 
Really good to see that the OP’s query has been answered clearly (and by several contributors, all of whom agreed - must be some sort of a first there!) without anyone feeling the need to ridicule or patronise
But also a good example of the old mantra “If in doubt - ask!”. Everyone has to start somewhere, and no-one wants to be the greenhorn - But if the agency (or an employer, or a colleague) ever says “You’ll have to do x,y and z” and you don’t known exactly what is meant/how to do x, y or z then for gawd’s sake open your Mk1 human gob and say so!! No-one wants the minor embarrasment of looking like a NooB, but that will be forgotten about half an hour later - Damaged kit (or worse!) remains in the memory rather longer…
Some of the new Scania have a electric sliding 5th wheel so you dont need to split couple with them ( know ASDA have them as they dont allow split coupling )
Not sure if any of the other lorries have this yet
Split coupling is forbidden at most places we’ve had people sacked at our place for doing it and I saw one of Stobart’s finest doing it only yesterday even though he had a regular Tautliner trailer which doesn’t need split coupling.
Terry T:
Split coupling is forbidden at most places we’ve had people sacked at our place for doing it and I saw one of Stobart’s finest doing it only yesterday even though he had a regular Tautliner trailer which doesn’t need split coupling.
What is the reason it’s banned? Surely it’s an accepted practice within the industry.
m1cks:
Terry T:
Split coupling is forbidden at most places we’ve had people sacked at our place for doing it and I saw one of Stobart’s finest doing it only yesterday even though he had a regular Tautliner trailer which doesn’t need split coupling.What is the reason it’s banned? Surely it’s an accepted practice within the industry.
Its not accepted and never has UNLESS your not able to get your lines etc on due to insufficient room.
Had a spell on fridges for Sainsbury’s a couple of years back and their trailers had sliding trailer couplings ( Mavis Rail ) a very good and safe idea.
All our fridge trailers have the suzie connectors mounted on a sliding carriage arrangement. I always understood this to be arranged so that split coupling was unnecessary (the practice is not allowed at our place).
m1cks:
Terry T:
Split coupling is forbidden at most places we’ve had people sacked at our place for doing it and I saw one of Stobart’s finest doing it only yesterday even though he had a regular Tautliner trailer which doesn’t need split coupling.What is the reason it’s banned? Surely it’s an accepted practice within the industry.
I’ve worked at a few companies where split coupling is banned, in my opinion split coupling is safe if done correctly but can in some circumstances be dangerous if done without the brain being engaged first.
We have no trailers that force us to split couple but our driver trainers teach it still. It makes it easier to stand square on to the connnections when connecting the lines meaning you’re not twisting as much.
m1cks:
What is the reason it’s banned? Surely it’s an accepted practice within the industry.
Because if the trailer brake hasn’t been engaged then the trailer can start rolling then the suzie is connected. Worst case senario is there’s a bit of a slope and the trailer’s been dropped a bit high, it can then jump the 5th wheel and squish you.
KCLeblanc:
m1cks:
What is the reason it’s banned? Surely it’s an accepted practice within the industry.Because if the trailer brake hasn’t been engaged then the trailer can start rolling then the suzie is connected. Worst case senario is there’s a bit of a slope and the trailer’s been dropped a bit high, it can then jump the 5th wheel and squish you.
I don’t go for this as an argument against. The same can happen when close coupling if the driver leaves the handbrake off. All the time you do the job properly then it’s safe. Before I connect to any trailer my first check is to see if the parking brake is on.
Roymondo:
All our fridge trailers have the suzie connectors mounted on a sliding carriage arrangement. I always understood this to be arranged so that split coupling was unnecessary (the practice is not allowed at our place).
A lot of Fowler Welch & ASDA are like this for that reason but due to me being 147 cm ( 4’ 10" ) it is not possible for me to do this easy although as said ASDA do have an easy sliding 5th wheel so can be done even if have to stand on walkway
KCLeblanc:
m1cks:
What is the reason it’s banned? Surely it’s an accepted practice within the industry.Because if the trailer brake hasn’t been engaged then the trailer can start rolling then the suzie is connected. Worst case senario is there’s a bit of a slope and the trailer’s been dropped a bit high, it can then jump the 5th wheel and squish you.
That’s why you should connect yellow susie first. As long as the hand brake is on in the lorry, nothing will roll. And before someone says try that with a Volvo, I know
The initial post seems confusing and the replies do not clarify things…close coupling is where there is not enough room to connect suzies once the pin is engaged; therefore you need to use split coupling.
Correct me if I’m wrong…!
m1cks:
We have no trailers that force us to split couple but our driver trainers teach it still. It makes it easier to stand square on to the connnections when connecting the lines meaning you’re not twisting as much.
Yes I hate trying to put air lines on when stood to one side I tweaked a muscle in my back once doing that and I now even split couple on a curtain sider if I get one.