Although you specifically mentioned putting the boat in I would say No...No...No.. Putting the boat in starts in your driveway.

The first thing for you to do before you ever leave the house is "put your brain in gear" and think boat, boat, boat! Is the trailer secure on the hitch? Do the lights work? Have I got the keys? Is all the required safety equipment in the boat?

Everything else is good advice.

IMO - When you get to the launch area look around and see how the traffic flow is going. Which way are people generally circling in the pattern to launch & retrieve? Nothing worse than driving in facing everyone else and wondering why everyone's looking at you like you have the plague.

I keep a 20' rope tied to the bow with a loop around the winch post. Sometimes even after "dunking" the trailer to get the bunks wet I still have to back up and stab the brakes to get the boat to come off the trailer. The rope, as mentioned in previous posts, will let the boat come completely off the trailer and as you pull up "slowly" a short distance the boat will come with you. No swimming involved and you can line handle the boat out of the way and then park your truck.

Good piece of advice:

If you are by yourself "Do not leave your keys in the boat" while you park the truck....When you get back the boat may be gone......Saw this happen!

Just watch - and you'll pick out the guys who do this regularly. For the most part they're there and gone in a short time, because they have a routine! Enjoy your boat - and may the gods of great big fish smile upon you!

If you have a drive on trailer, you can drive it off too. Back in far enough, back off and tie it to the dock. Go park tow vehicle.