Pulling a trailer

[LynnInletFisher]

I bought a trailer for my 17' Carolina Skiff and I was intending on hauling my boat to the Concrete ships and Hot Ditch during the winter. Im 16 and have only been driving for a year. My dad and I agree that I am fully capable of driving the trailer but my mom does not agree. She thinks I am too unexpierienced as a driver to pull the trailer.

Since you all are the expierienced with trailers, what do you think?
(My mom says if more than half the people that post agree with me she might consider letting me drive it.)

Thanks,
Cashin

[ordieao2f18]

You will never learn and get used to it until you go and do it! I think you will be ok. I say pull the trailer and get fishing!

[mainiac2]

The thing you need to master is backing it up and launching and recovering your boat, going ahead is the easy part. It wouldn't be a bad idea to understand how the lights work on it and how to change a tire, before venturing to far from home. Go for it you'll get used to it quickly.

[St. Andrews]

Drive the trailer. Show her you can park the trailer in the driveway. Show her you can park it at night as well. You're not going to get good at it unless you do it. I rented the jonboats from the base at MWR when I was 16 and 17. I was inexperienced and if I couldn't put the trailer where I wanted it, then I would look at a different spot to launch or park it.

[oceanrebel]

DO IT like said earlier going forward is easy,, remember the trailer follows the shortest path on curves.. probably won't matter much with your trailer, don't Panic,, take your time backing up, probably would avoid crowds at first at boat ramps, good luck, Phil

[hans jensen]

Pull the trailer around the neighborhood a few times for practice. Then take it to an empty parking lot and practice backing the boat up into a parking space. After you gain some experience you should be ready to go.

The key is a properly maintained trailer, a spare tire and the tools needed to change the tire and approval from Mom (most important)!

Gain some "close to home" experience with Mom or Dad in the truck with you, and after 2 or 3 trips Mom AND you will have the confidence needed to pull a boat trailer.

[Conjuror]

I agree with the empty parking lot for practice...and orange cones....set up as many situations as you can.....drive it first without the boat a bit if you can

[Al B]

Cashin - take it up to the grocery store parking lot at night. Set up some cones.. whatever.. and practice backing it in... making turns/corners. Do it with/without the boat.

Mom has the same fear as when you started driving the car a year ago... no experience then either. I always used, "Mom, you've done a great job raising me. Be confident in the job you've done and let me assume the responsibility". LOL

[racn35]

Never mind what we say.....have her go along on a trip from home- to owls creek.....back the trailor down the ramp 5 times.....circle around the block and back to the ramp......back the trailor down the ramp 5 more times......now take here home......she is convinced.......if that dont work you have my YES vote.

Dont forget your TURN SIGNALS & dont cut the CORNERS too sharp


For what its worth I was driving on the road when I was 14 on a big old piece of crap John Deer tractor pulling 3 hay wagons 9 miles down an interstate.....back then you didnt even need a license to drive farm equipment on the paved roads.

[LynnInletFisher]

Thanks for all help. I think shes falling for it.