Learning how to haul a trailer in the PA Wilds

Learning to Haul a Trailer Again

Hauling a trailer is something I haven’t done solo in years. Back in college I used to haul kayaks for work, but life moves on and skills get rusty. So this summer, I set a personal goal: haul a trailer by myself again.

Last week’s mission was a simple one—take a load of waste to the Mount Jewett Landfill. I started off feeling pretty proud as I strapped everything down with ratchet straps and bungee cords. That confidence faded fast when it came time to actually hook the trailer to my car.

When safety is involved, there’s no shame in asking for help. I called my father‑in‑law, and he came right over to walk me through the whole process—connecting the hitch, doing a proper safety check, and even riding along for my first solo haul. I drove like I had a newborn in the backseat, taking every turn slow and staying hyper‑aware of everything around me.

We made it, and I was genuinely proud of myself. The Mount Jewett Landfill is actually a fascinating place to visit, and my two young sons love it even more than I do. With dump trucks and excavators constantly moving, it’s basically a real‑life construction show for them.

Now that I’ve done it once, I feel so much more confident hauling a trailer in the future. Sometimes you just need that first push to remind yourself—you can still learn new things and pick old skills back up.