My first tow job!

I got my hitch put on my pick'em up truck before Thanksgiving and got to use it this past weekend. I was supposed to make a "dry" run and hook up the Covered Wagon and tow it around the neighborhood two days before the trip. I didn't since I was too tired from some errands (with LOTS of walking) I'd had to do. So, naturally, when we went to hook up the C.W. there was a problem- my hitch is different from my sister's as we have different vehicles. One of the tow chains on the C.W. is shorter than the other and just reaches on my sister's SUV. It does not reach on my truck. So, we're packed with the dog in the SUV and only one tow chain is usable. Thank goodness we'd taken a 3 day weekend so it was Friday, 11 AM, when we discovered the issue. (Thanks to my sister for not being mad at me for ditching the dry run!)

We call the place which put the hitch on and they can help- plus, they're actually on the way to our campground (just an alternate route we wouldn't have taken otherwise). I got to answer a ton of questions when I pulled up with the C.W. attached (yes, nervous as only one tow chain was attached). Then they charged me a whopping $5.30 (with tax) for the fix. Do we love these guys, or what? (shout out to Automotive One in Longwood, FL)

Mama rode with my sister and I took the pickup and C.W. on my own. It was really easier for me since I'd been in the car the first time my sister towed it and followed right behind her the second time (our first "real" camping trip in it). I'd seen the issues, felt the difference in hitting the brakes and she'd found out how oblivious the general public is to what it takes to stop or manuever a trailer...

It went smoothly- except the backing into the camp site bit. We got it after about 15 minutes, though. The worst part was it was just Mama and I when we returned home. That was a full 30 minutes to back it into it's space in the "corral" at our complex (where all campers and boats are required to be parked). *sigh*

I think we did very well, though, but I'm looking forward to our next trip being to a B&B for Christmas. My sister has the C.W. at that state campground near her home for several nights at New Years and Mama, Tug and I will spend some time out there. Her friend will also be out there at some point. My aunt has a nearby site to tent camp in at least one of those nights.