Okay, my trailer is now legal. Lights work...its registered. I've finally got a hitch on my truck and we're all set. I've pulled a trailer one other time....from the Home Depot right up the road to my house. I know I need to practice backing up, but what about normal driving. I can't imagine its much different than normal. Just be aware of the length when changing lanes and turning. Am I just over thinking it, or should I maybe practice with it before I strap my kayak on it and head out on the highway?

I think I'm over thinking it b/c I don't want to destroy my kayak b/c I didn't take it serious enough.

Thoughts?

Driving is pretty much the same, just check your mirrors when you are turning. You may have to turn wider. Easy as pie. Backing up just put your hand on the bottom of the wheel and thats the direction the trailer will turn.

Sounds like someone is stressing... Like Christian said "easy as pie".

Depending on a lot of variables (like being a single axle trailer) if you load your trailer heavy to the rear it may want to fishtail when you start getting up to highway speed. Just keep some weight on the tongue and watch how she pulls the first time or two you take her out.
Easy as pie!

I'm not really stressing, I just didn't want to underestimate it. Thanks for the advice about weighting it properly. Good to know.

Thanks a lot!
Now I'm craving PIE!!!

RR, hook the empty trailer to your truck and tow it around for a couple of days. You'll figure out what you're doing quickly and without risking your kayak.

What Artie said. Watch the trailer to see how it handles bumps. Many of these trailers were sprung to accommodate up to #1500 or so and will tend to hop on bumps if you don't soften them up. If it bounces significantly, you may want/need to remove a leaf spring or two. Make sure you have a good spare tire.

Backing can be
A pain for some folks, I spent 25 years driving trucks. The two biggest tricks to backing are:
1.before you start backing make sure you are as strait owithi your target as possible
2. Next is gently moving your steering wheel, most folks over steer when backing

Other than those two tricks it's a piece of cake

RR, actually the trailer needs some "training". Send it over to my place for a while and I will get her in shape�

Thanks guys! Being in advertising sales, I do a lot of driving. I might do what Art suggested and tow it around.

FishAll,
Its only got 2 leaf springs, so I'm hoping it doesn't need one removed. But I definitely need a spare. I also need to make sure that the lug nuts will come off without a problem.

N2
Good to know! Thanks.

n2fishing..

Point 2 is right on. I've lost count of the number of times I watched my wife do curly Qs down a ramp while I sit in the ski boat watching N cringing..

Short trailers are neither a piece of cake, or easy as pie to back up though!

I'm probably going to add a longer...hmm...what is the proper term for the long beam that connects the trailer to the truck.

LOL. I'll send her right over.

Not sure if it's a serious question, but it's called a tongue.

Adding a flag to the trailer will help let you know where it's at when reversing since it's going to be tough being such a short trailer. Like someone mentioned earlier, make sure you apply proper tongue weight (10-15% of the total weight).