How should the landing gears be oriented when checking if the trailer is securely coupled?

When checking if the trailer is securely coupled, the correct orientation for the landing gears is to have them slightly raised. This position allows for a clear inspection of the coupling mechanism between the truck and the trailer. In this orientation, the weight of the trailer should be resting on the truck's fifth wheel, which indicates that the coupling is secure and properly engaged.

If the landing gears were completely lowered, it could imply that the trailer is detached from the truck and resting on the ground, making it impossible to verify the coupling. Conversely, fully retracting the landing gears would result in the trailer being raised too high, potentially creating a gap that could falsely suggest the trailer is not attached correctly. Setting the landing gears at a mid-level may not provide the necessary assurance of proper coupling since it does not definitively indicate whether the weight of the trailer is properly supported by the truck.

Therefore, having the landing gears slightly raised strikes the ideal balance for inspecting and confirming that the trailer is securely coupled to the vehicle.